We asked him what his main pitch to voters was (see video).

He said he’s lived in New England for 65 years. 

“I’m a true Independent,” Mr Taber told The Examiner while visiting town yesterday. 

“I've never belonged to a party and the party system is destroying this country.”

But it’s not always easy – especially when he’s up against some major players like former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce. We talked to Mr Taber after mining magnate, Gina Rinehart, had presented Mr Joyce with a cheque for $40,000 which he declined.

“Running as an independent candidate, it’s very difficult to raise money to run a campaign but the Nationals do have access to funding and this is an example,” Mr Taber said.

But even his biggest rival has him second on the how-to-vote cards.

“I put Taber second because he’s a genuine candidate,” Mr Joyce told Fairfax Media last week.

Mr Taber owns a farm and sells solar energy equipment.

He is passionate about renewable energy.

New England is rich in potential smaller hydro schemes where water can generate electricity when demand is high and then be pumped back up to reservoirs when demand is low.

He said he would support their development if he was elected.