With a change of electoral boundaries, the Hunter Valley centre of Muswellbrook Shire has now changed from the federal electorate of Hunter to New England.
Combined with the Upper Hunter Shire, which has been part of the electorate since 2016, the area is – to quote former Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Steve Reynolds – a ‘pimple on the bum’ of the New England with some very different needs and issues.
New England Times got out on the street recently to talk to residents to see how they felt about this change and what their thoughts on their (likely) new MP Barnaby Joyce.
Local senior pastor Garth Belford was aware of the electoral boundary changes and feels positively about being represented by Barnaby Joyce.
“We’ve got Barnaby now which I don’t think is a bad thing,” Garth said. “He’s been around a little while and done a few miles, and I think he’s doing very well there for the community.”
“I don’t know how he’ll get down and do much here, but he probably will play the role once he starts settling in.”
Muscle Creek resident Eddie Rivett similarly thinks that Barnaby will represent the area well.
“For me being a farmer, I think he will be very good for the area,” he said.
Local small business owner Natasha Cotter was unaware of the electorate changes but wants to see how Barnaby will represent the area.
“Barnaby’s had his rough runs over the time,” Natasha said.
“He does have a voice, but I think there is a lot more that he can do for small business owners and bringing better quality industry out this way.”
Dayna Kennedy recently moved to Muswellbrook from Cessnock and was unaware of electoral boundary changes.
“I don’t know too much about the parties or Barnaby Joyce, because I don’t hear very many good things on the media about him, but in terms of how much truth there is behind it, I’m not sure,” Dayna shared.
Just up the New England Highway, Scone and its surrounding areas have been in the New England electorate for two terms.
Scone business owners Lynda and Nick Posa shared that over the past six years, they have felt that Barnaby has represented Scone and the wider New England electorate well.
“Barnaby’s certainly had his ups and downs, but he represents the people of the New England electorate very well,” Nick shared.
“He’s a good voice and I think he has the electorate at heart and seems to be on the pulse of most things that are urgent and current.”
Aberdeen resident Ross Lambley thinks Barnaby’s experience is his biggest strength.
“He’s been there for a lot of years now and we seem to still be going alright,” he said.
Gundy resident and nurse Peggy Smith however says she had not felt well represented under Barnaby Joyce.
“While we do have a lot of farming and equine industry down here, certainly the concentration for any kind of federal funding has always felt like it’s hit higher up around the Tamworth area that he sort of represents more highly,” she said.
“I’d like to see him visit more often and actually hear what this part of his electorate view as the key issues.”
Follow all the New England Times coverage of the federal election here or have your say on Engage
See more about the race in New England here
See more about the race in Parkes here