Election 2010 The Independent Barrister: Matthew Hogg

Promising to go "the whole Hogg" for voters, barrister Matthew Hogg is standing as an independent in the safe National Party seat of Riverina in the south-west of New South Wales.

As one of nine candidates, he describes his political beliefs as "being somewhere to the right of the left and to the left of the right".

"It is nigh on impossible for me get elected," he said. "But what we have done [other candidates] is make sure the major parties divert more resources to the seat."

By campaigning on local issues, such as the need to upgrade the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and the use of water resources, Hogg claims that the Liberal and National parties have increased their spending in the seat by more than threefold to shore up their support.

Hogg moved to the bar in 2004 and specialises in dispute resolution, family law, wills and estates. He said that his legal career has had a significant impact on his political beliefs.

"Around 20 to 25 per cent of my work would be pro bono," he said. "My experience as a lawyer has had a great impact on my views on social justice."

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Lawyers Weekly interviews six members of the legal profession from across the political spectrum who are throwing their hat into the ring this Saturday.

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>> The Young Activist: Nathan Timmins