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THE POLL BLUDGER PARKES
The changes made to Parkes by the redistribution have been so dramatic that it could be more accurately be described as a new seat replacing abolished Gwydir. Only the Shire of Dubbo itself, how to about 25,000 voters, have been retained from the existing Parkes, the remainder of which is divided between Calare (including Bourke, Lachlan and Cobar) and Farrer (Broken Hill and the big empty “unincorporated area” in the state's north-east). Parkes has been compensated with the more populous eastern end of Gywdir, from Dunedoo and Gilgandra north through Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Narrabri and Moree to the Queensland border, and Wellington and Mudgee from Calare to the south-east. This is a dramatically different outcome from that originally proposed by the redistribution committee, in which Parkes was to cover half the state's area by including Bourke, Lachlan and Cobar along with the Unincorporated Area. This prompted widespread local outrage, prompting a rearrangement in which Parkes lost most of its proposed area in exchange for the small but relatively populous Wellington and Mudgee. Gwydir had existed since federation and was contested between the Country Party and Labor until 1949, after which the National/Country Party slowly consolidated its hold. John Anderson came to the seat in 1989, serving as party leader from Tim Fischer's departure in 1999 until he announced his own retirement plans in 2005. Parkes was created in 1984 and was held at all times by the Nationals, although Labor cut the margin to 0.5 per cent following a 6.4 per cent boost from the addition of Broken Hill and a 3.8 per cent swing. Successive changes of personnel in 1998 (when Michael Cobb retired) and 2001 (when Tony Lawler quit after one term) failed to produce a substantial challenge from the Liberals or a significant swing to Labor, and new member John Cobb consolidated with a 3.5 per cent swing in 2004. With Cobb contesting Calare at the coming election, the Nationals have nominated Gwydir Shire mayor Mark Coulton. | |