AFTER months of campaigning passionately and travelling the length and breadth of New South Wales, newly-anointed Federal Member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, is ready to get down to work.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the Parkes electorate,” Mr Chaffey said. “Over the last nine 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 17 years for the Parkes electorate.

“To the other candidates, thank you for putting your hand up for your community and your nation,” Mr Chaffey said.

“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,” he said.

Mr Chaffey 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. These include Mendooran Central School, Coonabarabran High School, and Mullaley Primary School, before finishing at the Gunnedah PCYC.

Mr and Mrs Chaffey were joined by their four children, their partners and grandchildren, and Mark and Robyn Coulton, as well as loyal supporters to watch the results come in at a function in Gunnedah.

“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,” Mr Chaffey said.

“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.”

Jamie and Judy Chaffey, joined by Mark and Robyn Coulton, family and supporters.

Parkes FEC Labor Party president, Meryl Dillon, congratulated Mr Chaffey on his win in the Parkes electorate.

“It was a good, clean campaign by the Nationals and we respect the effort that people put in to make democracy work from all political persuasions for our communities, including the important people working for the Australian Electoral Commission,” Mrs Dillon said.

“But it is not all bad news for Labor Parkes candidate, Nathan Fell, who increased the Labor TPP vote, and we celebrate having the Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party returned federally with an increased majority.

“Despite all the negativity, Labor had a positive campaign and achieved a lot in their first term, not least of which has been to bring inflation down, increase people’s wages and to bring unemployment down,” she said.

“Our country members have been able to put a number of issues on the agenda for Labor, including mobile phone coverage, access to banking for Post Office agencies and looking after REX air routes. “The next three years will mean there are further opportunities to work to improve our quality of life.

“On a local note, our vote in Moree was up and we look forward to building on every opportunity to be a conduit to the Federal government and raising issues for our community,” Mrs Dillon said.