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Portrait of Michael McCormack

Michael McCormack

The Nationals · House of Representatives · Riverina (NSW) · incumbent

Michael Francis McCormack was born on 2 August 1964 in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, one of five children of dryland farmer Lance McCormack and Eileen Margaret McCormack, and grew up on family farms near Marrar and Brucedale. He attended St Michael's Regional High School and Trinity Senior High School (later merged into Kildare Catholic College). Before politics he began a journalism cadetship with The Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga in 1981 and was appointed editor of the paper in 1991, aged 27. [source]

Journalist at Wagga Wagga's Daily Advertiser from 1981 and its editor 1991-2002. Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader 2018-2021. Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Shadow Minister for Water from 16 March 2026. [source]

Sourced positions

A verified position is the member's own stated view or vote, supported by the listed sources. This page records public statements and conduct only — see methodology.

Immigration verified

In a 2018 interview on regional migration, McCormack said "all options are on the table" for improving migration policy and supported "encouraging strategic targeted migration" to fill regional skill shortages, stating "Migrants bring a willingness to work. They start small businesses and their contribution is highly valued" and that regional migration "needs to be at the forefront of our immigration system."

Faith & religion verified

McCormack is a Roman Catholic; Wikipedia notes he, 'a Roman Catholic, married Catherine (nee Shaw) in Saint Michael's Cathedral, Wagga Wagga in 1986,' and he publicly identified himself 'as a proud Catholic' when selected to represent Australia at Pope Francis' 2025 funeral.

Foreign policy & aid verified

Responding to a protest outside his Wagga office, McCormack stated that protest organisers 'do not represent the majority of the Riverina who support Israel', and added: 'Palestine has been recognised as a state by the Australian government and the people there do need to live in peace.'

Record last updated 2026-08-13.