Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has congratulated Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey on his preselection as The Nationals’ candidate for the Federal seat of Parkes.
The former businessman and boilermaker by trade was preselected by local members earlier today in Narrabri, defeating two Dubbo candidates Michael Cooper and Peter Strahorn. The seat’s preselection became and open contest after outgoing Parkes MP Mark Coulton announced his retirement earlier this year, after representing the people of Parkes since 2007.
Mr Littleproud said Mr Chaffey had a fantastic track record of advocating for regional communities, both as mayor of the Gunnedah Shire and as President of the NSW Country Mayors Association.
“Jamie Chaffey is an experienced small businessman and has served his community via a variety of volunteering roles for many years,” Mr Littleproud said.
“As well as that, 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.
The Parkes electorate is one of the largest in the country, with the AEC currently proposing to make it even larger, adding the local government areas of Parkes, Forbes and Bland and increasing its size to a full 50% of the state.
“Parkes will be a critical seat at the next election that will determine whether Australia suffers another three years of Anthony Albanese, or a National and Liberal Coalition Government is elected to get our nation back on track, Mr Littleproud said.
As well as congratulating Mr Chaffey on his preselection, Mr Littleproud 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 has fought for better regional services and has served in the Ministry in Regional Health, Regional Communication and Local Government, as well as Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment.
“I thank Mark for his dedicated service and I’m confident his legacy of advocating for the people of Parkes can carry on through Jamie Chaffey.”
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.
“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,” Mr Coulton said.
Mr Chaffey said he was honoured to be chosen as The Nationals candidate and looks forward to getting to know communities throughout the Parkes electorate over the coming months.
“I am proud to call this region home and I am deeply committed to continuing Mark’s legacy of delivering for the people of the Parkes electorate,” Mr Chaffey said.
“Over the past two years, our regional communities have been left behind and I will fight to ensure they get what they deserve.”
The Nationals say they will focus on combating the cost of living through affordable power, improving regional health services and delivering better roads across the country in the upcoming federal election. The election can be called anytime from today through to May 2025.
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