The Nationals will continue to represent the electorate of Parkes in federal parliament after the party’s candidate Jamie Chaffey was successful at the weekend’s election.

Mr Chaffey, of Gunnedah, will be calling on his Labor government counterparts to respect the value of regional NSW.

The Nationals’ candidate is expected to be elected to the House of Representatives for the seat once polls are officially declared. He was preselected at an event in Narrabri last year, taking over from retiring and long-serving federal member Mark Coulton.

Mr Chaffey experienced a strong showing 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.

At polling booths in Narrabri Shire, the Nationals’ first preference vote dropped compared to the previous election, while Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party made gains in some areas as much as almost 10 per cent.

At Narrabri Public School, the Nationals polled 44 per cent with One Nation in second spot on 17 per cent. At Narrabri High, the Nationals polled 38 per cent, with One Nation also receiving the second highest amount of first preferences at 18 per cent. The result was similar at Narrabri West school, with the Nationals on 47 per cent to One Nation’s 17 per cent.

One Nation also made big first preference gains in Pilliga (now totalling almost 19 per cent), Wee Waa (almost 16 per cent), Bellata (15 per cent), Burren Junction (almost 19 per cent) and Boggabri (19 per cent). In Baan Baa, the party’s vote slightly dropped and is 13 per cent.

Mr Chaffey said it was important the Albanese Labor 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 Courier 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 preselected to replace Mr 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 with 15 lower house seats secured so far.

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.”