HE’S driven 17,000 kilometres in recent months – and plans to add that number again to the odometer of his trusty Toyota HiLux dual cab in the New Year.
The Nationals’ federal candidate for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, has hit the campaign trail to an election yet to be announced, and while he’s campaigning to win arguably the Nationals’ safest seat, he’s not taking anything for granted.
“I’ve been averaging two days a month at home, and I’m taking it very seriously,” Mr Chaffey said.
The former Gunnedah mayor was in Moree recently with Federal Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Barnaby Joyce, and Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, who presented commemorative medals to the families of three Word War II veterans at Moree RSL Regional Military Museum.
“I was pre-selected by the Nationals in early August, and I’ve just started the fifth month of campaigning,” Mr Chaffey said.
Mr Chaffey is well well-known across the north-west.
He was elected mayor during his first term on Gunnedah council and served the full, five-year term until 2021, when he was re-elected as a councillor and mayor.
Mr Chaffey was endorsed as chair of the Namoi Unlimited Joint Organisation of Councils in 2018 and re-elected as chair in 2020.
He was also elected to the Executive of the Country Mayors’ Association of NSW and is a board member of the AUKUS forum of the Nuclear Advisory Board.
“A lot of the communities already know me and recognise me, especially on the eastern side of the electorate,” Mr Chaffey said.
“So far, I’ve put out 14,000 flyers of introduction and most of those were by knocking on doors and having conversations.
“I’ve done 17,000 kilometres in the vehicle and I’m absolutely, thoroughly enjoying it.”
Mark Coulton has been Federal Member for Parkes since 2007 and decided earlier this year to step down from politics and retire to his Warialda farm, with wife Robyn.
“Everyone has been so friendly, and the reason for that, is Mark’s 17 years of service,” Mr Chaffey said.
But Mr Chaffey said winning next year’s election is not cut-and-dried. Some parts of the vast electorate, like Broken Hill, are very much Labor oriented.
“It’s very tough there for the National Party, but there is still enormous respect for Mark and the party, and what we’ve delivered.
“I’ll always recognise that, and I’m always hopeful I can continue on and win the election for the National Party,” he said.
“We’ve held the seat for 40 years and I don’t want to be the candidate that loses that, and that’s why I’m working particularly hard.
“Mark has made that job easier because of his dedication and integrity over those 17 years,” Mr Chaffey said.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, is confident Mr Chaffey will be the new Federal Member for Parkes when voters go to the polls next year.
“Jamie is putting in the effort, and showing respect to the electorate. He doesn’t take things for granted,” Mr Joyce said.
Over the past few days, Mr Chaffey has been in Narrabri, Mungindi and Moree.
He will return to Narrabri for a Namoi Water meeting, before heading to Wee Waa on Thursday and back to Gunnedah on Friday.
Mr Chaffey will then enjoy a well-deserved break at home with family over Christmas and New Year.
