Chaffey guided by lessons in courage, patience and loyalty

Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey recalled the influence of his stepfather as a big part of his upbringing and the making of the man he is today.

The remarks were delivered last week as part of Mr Chaffey’s maiden speech in the House of Representatives.

“I learnt, while I was still very young, the great difference that service with courage, patience and loyalty can make to a life,” Mr Chaffey said.

“My parents divorced when my two sisters and I were very young. After some time, my mother began a new relationship with my now stepfather. Taking on the responsibility of providing for an instant family is something most people would baulk from. But he didn’t. It is hard to say here, in this very public place, but I need to do so to show just how important my stepfather was and is in our lives.

“For reasons I’ll never truly understand, my mother was struggling with gambling addictions and poor mental health that would often escalate into events of extreme rage and physical violence. This was never towards us as children but always towards my stepfather.

“Watching this man deal patiently and lovingly with these most difficult of issues remains a deep source of inspiration to me. The scourge of mental illness, gambling addiction and domestic violence is something many of us face quietly. I have never and will never condone domestic violence, and I know that every situation is different.

“As we changed and grew, there were good days and there were bad. My stepfather continued to work on the land to provide for his family and live the truest example of what it means to serve with courage in everyday life. He stepped up without question. He never gave up on us.

“As I speak today, my stepfather is my mother’s full-time carer. She has advanced dementia, and he continues to be by her side, as he has for more than 50 years. This is the type of service that has guided me as a husband, as a father and in leadership.”

The former Gunnedah mayor also recounted the start of his working life as a supermarket trainee manager, before taking on an boilermaking apprenticeship and later serving in local government.

“I entered into local government with the goal of building a strong future for my community,” Mr Chaffey said.

“I see so many good people in our regions who are putting their heads downs and working hard to enable their families, their employees and their communities to thrive.

“I believe in the difference that can be made by implementing good policy. I want to see that reflect in the lives of people in our electorate and across Australia.”

He said areas such as tax reform, greater economic incentives for people to live and work regionally, better infrastructure, roads, and access to quality education, child care, aged care and health care, are “critical areas” where change is required in the Parkes electorate.

“The challenges and issues this electorate face are as varied as the shires that make them up, and I will be there to listen and to act persistently and consistently,” he said.

Mr Chaffey described regional NSW as the best place to live and to do business but said the necessities which communities deserve, don’t come easy.

“Every state and federal win is a fight,” he said.

Mr Chaffey said he was looking forward to fulfilling his commitments as the new Federal Member for Parkes.

“I will use my life experience to serve the people who choose to live in these communities throughout the Parkes electorate, and I will serve them with the same dedication and commitment that was taught to me by my stepfather many years ago,” he said.