Council
9 May, 2025
Chaffey wins Parkes seat for Nats in rare bright spot for LNP
Chaffey retains Parkes seat held by Coulton for 17 years after completing 36,000km across the Parkes electorate in the last nine months.
THE NATIONAL PARTY’S Jamie Chaffey has retained the seat of Parkes at the recent federal election in a rare bright spot for the Coalition who were resoundingly beaten by the Albanese ALP government last weekend.
Jamie Chaffey, The Nationals Candidate for Parkes, started election day at the most southern booth in the seat of Parkes, Barmedman, before travelling to Dubbo to cast his vote, with his wife Judy. Mr Chaffey then made his way to Gunnedah, dropping into as many booths as time would allow including Mendooran Central School, Coonabarabran High School, and Mullaley Primary School, before finishing at the Gunnedah PCYC.
Mr Chaffey was joined by his wife Judy, their four children, their partners and grandchildren, Mark and Robyn Coulton, and loyal supporters to watch the results come in at a function in Gunnedah.
Mr Chaffey said “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the Parkes electorate. Over the last 9 months of the campaign I have met so many incredible people, and I would like to thank everyone who gave me their vote and supported me during the campaign. This includes Mark and Robyn Coulton, and we thank them for their tireless service over the last 17years for the Parkes electorate.
"To the other candidates, thank you for putting your hand up for your community and your nation. We may have different ideas, but I do believe we are all just trying to make our country a better place for future generations. Once the polls are declared I will get to work to fight for every single person in the Parkes electorate to make our area an even better place to live," Mr Chaffey said.
"Although we have had the result we hoped for in Parkes, it has been a disappointing result overall, and I'm concerned for what that will mean for our country. But there is no doubt we still live in the best country in the world and I'm incredibly honoured to be entrusted with this great opportunity to represent the people of the Parkes electorate," Mr Chaffey said.
ALP candidate Nathan Fell meanwhile was gracious indefeat. On his Facebook page, Fell wrote -
Congratulations to Jamie Chaffey for likely becoming Parkes' new MP!
"Wow, what an incredible experience! The last 5-6 weeks have really shown me that representing the people of my community, and the people of regional Australia, is what I want to spend my life striving towards!
"Putting my hand up to be a candidate for the 2025 federal election was a daunting idea, but it's something that I felt I needed to do to show the people of our electorate that change can happen, and to show them that those of us west of the mountains will not be forgotten or left behind! I really can't thank the people that helped me out enough! The time you've all put in is truly, truly appreciated beyond measure! I can't wait to work with you all again!"
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