Jamie Chaffey says his inspiration for standing in the federal election is seeded from frustrations in dealings with local council on supporting local businesses.
This grew into standing for Gunnedah Shire Council and then branching into becoming the National Party candidate to fill the boots of retiring member Mark Coulton to try and retain the seat of Parkes for the National Party.
The former Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor grew up a lucerne farm at Nemingha and moved to Gunnedah in his late teens to begin a career with Woolworths.
“I have only had three jobs in my life. The first one out of school was as a trainee store manager in Gunnedah, which is where I met my wife Judy. We travelled around and I worked as a store manager in Armidale and Maitland.”
“We went back home to Gunnedah when the kids started coming along and joined the family business, and that’s where I learned my boilermaker trade under my father-in-law.”
“Three of our four kids are involved in the business, making it a third-generation local business and that makes me proud.”
The third job was a eight-year stint as a shire Mayor.
“I never thought I would get elected to local government when I did. I was very surprised and then I went straight into the mayoral role when I was elected.”
“It took me a bit to find my straps, but I soon realised the importance of working closely with other tiers of government to deliver on the aspirations of the community.”
“That did lead to success. Between the three tiers of government, we invested nearly 300 million into Gunnedah over six and a half years.
“That proved me that meeting community aspirations can be done when interacting with good government, but then the federal Labor government came in and we didn’t see a cent.”
Jamie’s enthusiasm for the jump into the federal election arena is also born out of being a staunch supporter of the National Party.
“The National Party is sort of in my blood, so I am proud to standing as their candidate. I have always been a member and family have been Members of Parliament back in the Country Party days.”
Encouragement from sitting Member Mark Coulton completed the motivation to enter the world of federal politics. Mr Coulton has held Parkes since 2007, and polls are pointing towards another safe win for the National Party in Parkes. The latest You Gov Poll projections give Jamie just under 65 per cent of the vote in a two-horse race against Labor’s Nathan Fell. Both candidates have spent time this week at Pre-Polling centres at Moree, Dubbo and Broken Hill.
“I take nothing for granted, and I like to think I have proven that over the last nine months. And I do believe that I am doing for the right reasons,” Jamie said.
“I have been full time campaigning since September last year, and my hope is that the more than 35,000 kilometres I have travelled and more than 24,000 doors I have knocked on right across the electorate to learn what’s important to communities is recognised.”
“Every community in this large electorate has its own needs, but I have also found that some are constant like access to childcare, healthcare and telecommunications.”
“Everyone has been screaming about those issue.”
Jamie’s campaign funding announcements have had a childcare focus, with pledges to expand facilities in towns like Moree, Gunnedah and Mungindi.
“If we don’t get things right with infrastructure like childcare, we won’t be able to retain people or attract others to the region.”
Jamie said he is proud to back the energy policy that Peter Dutton and the Coalition are espousing to reduce a key cost of living pressure.
“We’ve already got enough renewables in the mix. I think we should be stopping any further renewable project approvals until there is a full assessment of what their capacity is.”
“The focus now needs to be gas generation and nuclear power in the long term.”
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