Rock and roll’s Bad Boy For Love, Angry Anderson, has signalled his interest in contesting Gilmore for the Nationals following the retirement of long-serving Liberal MP Joanna Gash.

A noted worker for a range of charities including the Dunn-Lewis Youth Centre in Ulladulla, the Rose Tattoo frontman said he had a strong affinity with the Gilmore electorate.

“I love the whole physicality of that area,” Mr Anderson said from his Sydney home.

“That whole area has been very supportive of myself and the Tatts.”

He promised to be a dedicated advocate for the region if elected.

“I know I would represent the area faithfully in parliament, should I be elected,” he said.

“I was brought up by an honourable woman, I believe I am an honourable man, and I can promise faithful service.”

While dedicating much of the past 20 years to helping causes, community-based projects and charities because “I’m energised and attracted by wonderful ideas,” Mr Anderson said a leap into politics was a way of furthering his work.

He acknowledged he needed to build his profile in the Gilmore electorate to have any chance of success.

“I’ve got to make myself known not just as an entertainer, so the local people can get to know me up close,” he said.

“People need to see me, hear me speak, get to know what I stand for.

“They’ve got to look at me in a different light.”

Mr Anderson believed he “fitted” in the area, adding,

“I’d be crushed if people down there didn’t identify with me.”While he lived in Sydney and still called Melbourne home, Mr Anderson said it was his affinity with working people which made the Nationals a natural fit.

“I like the Nationals as a party, I like their morals and they have a strong Christian component,” he said.He added it was up to the party to decide whether it would preselect him and when but warned he was considering switching to the Liberal Party if the Nationals did not offer him a chance to run and win.

“I’ve been involved in discussions with the Liberals and the Nationals, and if the Liberals offer preselection in a seat I have a chance of winning, I’d be foolish not to give that consideration,” he said.“I want to get in as soon as possible so I can use the time and energy I’ve got available.”

The chance to stand for the Nationals has come about as part of deepening rifts between the Coalition partners over standing against each other in seats where the sitting member has retired.

In the process Mr Anderson has gained strong backing from Nationals senator John Williams, who said the former rock star “has a heart of gold”.

“I’ve never met anyone so passionate about helping people.

“I would suggest that Angry Anderson should run for the Nationals in Gilmore,” Senator Williams said. “What’s more, he would win it.”

The Liberal Party preselected Mrs Gash’s staff member and former Kiama councillor Ann Sudmalis to stand for Gilmore earlier this year, while the ALP has yet to preselect a candidate.

Ms Sudmalis said she was focused on “ensuring I’m connecting with the people of Gilmore”.

Since being preselected in April; she had spent her time on village visits and attending meetings of a range of organisations, “making sure I get out there and listen to people, making grassroots connections”.