Chaffey to lead Parkes

Gunnedah’s Jamie Chaffey will be calling on his Labor government counterparts to respect the value of regional NSW.

The Nationals’ candidate is expected to be elected in the House of Representatives for the seat of Parkes when polls are declared.

He will be one of the first since Hon John Anderson AC to also represent Gunnedah in the Australian parliament.

It follows a strong showing for Mr Chaffey in last Saturday’s election – his first time standing for federal parliament.

About 80 per cent of votes had been counted as of Wednesday.

The former Gunnedah mayor holds about 40 per cent of first preference votes – more than double the next highest in the Labor Party.

With another strong victory to the Nationals in Parkes, Mr Chaffey said it’s important the government understood what the electorate – which represents about 50 per cent of the state’s geographical area – meant to wider Australia.

“I want to make sure the Labor ministers understand regional NSW is really important to the wealth of this nation – through food, fibre, processing, and the minerals we harvest – all are crucial for this nation moving forward,” he said.

“We can’t continue to spend money without investing in those communities which see such an important contribution to Australia.”

Speaking with the Gunnedah Times earlier this week, Mr Chaffey recounted how he doorknocked thousands of constituents during his election campaign.

His campaign started on August 4 last year after being pre-selected by the Nationals in Parkes to replace long-serving MP, Mark Coulton, who retired after 17 years in parliament.

The long lead in allowed time for Mr Chaffey to further explore issues facing people in regional areas – most noteably, the cost of living.

“I heard some harrowing stories from people and small business, young families and the elderly, who are really doing it tough at the moment,” he said.

His task now is to convince the government of the day that projects and funding committed by the Coalition remain just as relevant to regional people, regardless of the election outcome.

“I was able to make some funding commitments that I knew would make a big difference, but unfortunately Labor didn’t match those,” Mr Chaffey said. “The only [Parkes funding commitment] I heard was $2 million to plant trees in Dubbo.”

Nationals influence in Coalition

While much attention has focused on the significant loss for the Liberal Party after this election, particularly in urban areas, the Nationals have consolidated their base and so far retained all lower house seats.

Mr Chaffey, however, would not be drawn on whether this would mean a greater say for the Nationals at the Coalition table.

“We need to see what the wash up will be but I’m really proud of being a National and how we’ve held our seats,” he said before expressing frustration at the Liberal vote.

“Really disappointed the Liberal support has tanked in this election – that means on the Senate ticket we have Perin Davey – deputy leader of the federal Nationals – there won’t be enough support for the Coalition for that position to be returned so we’ll lose her.”

Swing against Nationals

Despite the comfortable victory in Parkes, there was a nine per cent swing against the first preference vote and five per cent against the incumbent party on the two candidate preferred stakes.

Mr Chaffey put the vote bleed down to the big, 10-strong field of candidates – described as unusual for the electorate.

He said also having an unfamiliar face vying for the Nationals seat held by the same MP for almost two decades, would also take some adjustment for voters.

“Some places people know me but other places it will take time for people to have confidence in a change of person,” he said.

“I’m holding about a 13 per cent margin – it’s one I’m proud of.

“I expected it to be a much greater swing away.

“Mark Coulton had 17 years as the member and built his recognition.

“He had a very big lead, a margin of more than 18 per cent.

“To think a first-time candidate could match that vote would be pretty arrogant.

“I’ve lost some of [the margin] but still proud of the outcome.

“You’re always vulnerable in a massive swing to Labor we’ve seen nationally.

“I’m honoured to have the support I did.”

Looking ahead

Mr Chaffey said despite the vast, new electorate responsibility covering much of the state, Gunnedah would remain close to his heart.

“I’ve come from this community, am a boilermaker by trade, been in small business, served in local government, I know what my responsibility will be, to do all I can to deliver on the aspirations of the community,” he said.

“We want population growth, people to be confident in our communities that are great places to live.

“I’ll be backing local people, not just in Gunnedah but the 20 local government areas that make up the electorate – across about five state seats – doing everything we can to see our fair share.”

Judy and Jamie Chaffey in Gunnedah after a strong election result for the Nationals candidate who is expected to be declared the new Member for Parkes.