Member for Calare
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security

John Cobb was first elected to Parliament in 2001 as the Federal Member for Parkes and was returned in 2004 with an increased majority. Following the 2006 redistribution of Federal seats in NSW, John stood for the electorate of Calare as it now held much more of his beloved Central West than his old seat of Parkes.  John Cobb is currently the Federal Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security.

John was born at Bathurst and spent his childhood on the family property near Mt Hope. His early employment included a variety of jobs in the agricultural and mining industries which further fuelled his passion for supporting regional people and communities.

Prior to entering Parliament, John cut his political teeth during more than a decade’s involvement in agri-politics, and three years as president of the NSW Farmers’ Association. His frustration at decisions for rural Australians being made in the corridors of the cities furthered his passion for proactive rural-based decision-making.

He has been a vocal advocate for rural health, transport and communications – both infrastructure and services – and has been the driving force behind many medical centres, the Inland Rail study and moves towards the Bell’s Line of Road Expressway.