Candidates make final poll pitches ahead of election

The two major political parties have made their final election pitches to Narrabri Shire voters.

Current Member for Parkes, the Nationals’ Mark Coulton, and Labor Party candidate Jack Ayoub greeted voters at the Narrabri pre-poll centre this week ahead of Saturday’s election.

Mr Coulton’s visit came as he announced an extension of funding at the North West Country Universities Centre.

Mr Ayoub made an election announcement earlier in the campaign at Geni.Energy, promising to deliver a community battery for Narrabri.

Both candidates were also among a gathering of election hopefuls at the recent Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce meet the voters evening.

Following questions on the current Inland Rail route as well as an alternative route being spruiked by the Narrabri Inland Rail Concerned Residents group, both Mr Coulton and Mr Ayoub, supported the overall project but made no commitments regarding a route change.

Both Nationals and Labor candidates said they would be guided by the findings of a Senate inquiry into the national rail freight project.

Mr Coulton and Mr Ayoub both contested the 2019 federal election, with Mr Coulton achieving an overall 1.81 per cent swing to the Nationals in Parkes.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Coulton achieved a minimum of 74 per cent of votes across Narrabri.

Polling results in surrounding areas strongly favoured the Nationals, with 81 per cent in Wee Waa, 78 per cent in Boggabri, 87 per cent in Bellata, 71 per cent in Pilliga and 86 per cent in Baan Baa.

Also standing for election in the Parkes electorate is Derek Hardman (Indigenous – Aboriginal Party of Australia), Peter Rothwell (Liberal Democratic Party), Deborah Swinbourn (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation), Petrus Van Der Steen (United Australia Party), Stuart Howe (Independent), Trish Frail (The Greens) and Benjamin Fox (Informed Medical Options Party).