Chaffey Nats’ new pick for Parkes

Gunnedah’s Jamie Chaffey has been preselected as The Nationals candidate for the seat of Parkes.

The Gunnedah shire mayor will now stand as the party’s Parkes electorate candidate at the next federal election.

Mr Chaffey won a three-way contest between Michael Cooper and Peter Strahorn, both from Dubbo, at the party’s preselection meeting in Narrabri last weekend.

Long-serving MP Mark Coulton, who represented Parkes since 2007, had earlier signalled he would be retiring at the end of this term of parliament and would not be contesting the election which is expected to be held in 2025. An election must be held on or before May 24, 2025.

Mr Chaffey said he is proud to call the region home and deeply committed to continue improving standard of living for people in the electorate.

“We need to get cost of living back under control, improve access to healthcare and education in our regions and invest in affordable and reliable power,” he said.

“I believe that to build a strong future for our next generation, we must develop industry within our communities to create opportunities for our young people to stay and raise their families here.

“I am looking forward to engaging with constituents and listening to their concerns, ideas and opinions as I travel around the electorate on the campaign trail.”

A boilermaker by trade, Mr Chaffey is a local businessman and prior to his involvement in local government, served as president of the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Nationals’ Gunnedah branch chair Angela Lyle said members were delighted with the result.

“Jamie has a proven record as a representative who lobbies hard for Gunnedah and the regions,” Ms Lyle said.

“He really does step up for what he believes in.

“He has the qualities that would make him a good local representative for the Parkes electorate.”

Mr Coulton congratulated Mr Chaffey on his preselection and said he will be a fierce advocate for the Parkes electorate.

“I’m excited the party has chosen someone of such high calibre. Jamie has been a hardworking community leader; he understands the issues facing our communities and knows that regional Australia is the backbone of our economy,” Mr Coulton said.

“He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in, and I know he will work tirelessly to ensure the people of the Parkes electorate can continue to thrive into the future.”

The Nationals leader David Littleproud described Mr Chaffey as a “true local champion”.

“Jamie is a true local champion who has worked hard for the people of regional NSW and is dedicated to advocating for the residents of the Parkes electorate,” he said.

Mr Littleproud also thanked Mr Coulton for his nearly two decades of dedication to the people of the Parkes electorate.

“It is no easy feat to serve in Parliament for 16 years, but Mark has served with the utmost integrity and has been a trusted source of advice and guidance to those around him,” he said.

Mr Chaffey started his “campaign trail” across the Parkes electorate on Wednesday with a campaign launch in Dubbo. A recent redistribution will see the electorate now include Bland, Forbes and Parkes shire councils but lose the upper half of the Gwydir shire.