Jack Dempsey attacks Keith Pitt as Wide Bay, Hinkler preferences revealed

While conservative candidates across the nation have buried left-leaning parties at the bottom of How to Vote cards, there’s been a shock upset as preferences in the LNP-held Wide Bay and Hinkler seats are revealed.

Voters’ preference may be at their own discretion but that has not stopped Hinkler and Wide Bay candidates from sending a message – and at least one candidate is not happy about it.

Independent Hinkler candidate Jack Dempsey has taken aim at the LNP’s Keith Pitt, saying the incumbent’s How-To-Vote card shows he would prefer Labor take the seat than his long-term rival.

Mr Pitt’s card, published on his Liberal Party web page, has preferenced Mr Dempsey in the fifth spot, behind Labor’s Jason Scanes and only above the Greens’ Andrew McLean.

The seat is expected to be a tight race between Mr Pitt and Mr Dempsey, with Mr Scanes also posing a challenge.

Mr Dempsey said the card revealed Mr Pitt would prefer an ideological opponent win Hinkler rather than someone who could work with the LNP.

“Keith Pitt would rather see Labor elected than a genuine Independent who will potentially support the Coalition in a hung parliament,” Mr Dempsey said.

Hinkler LNP candidate Keith Pitt has placed Independent Jack Dempsey behind everyone but the Greens on his How-To-Vote card.

“It shows the LNP is afraid of positive change in Hinkler.

“The truth is that if LNP finish third in Hinkler, a vote for Keith Pitt is a vote for (Labor leader Anthony) Albanese.

“Keith Pitt delivers nothing for Hinkler but can absolutely deliver an Albanese Labor Government for Australia.”

Mr Pitt said Mr Dempsey’s placement on the card reflected his policies.

“The Greens will always be last as they want to ruin our country and shut down the economy,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Bundaberg Mayor’s policies are the same policies as the Greens.

“He wants to move Australia Day, he wants to shut the resources sector, he wants to get rid of the Cashless Debit Card and replace it with nothing.

Hinkler Labor candidate Jason Scanes hasIndependent Jack Dempsey as his third preference, ahead of incumbent LNP candidate Keith Pitt.

“Independents will promise everything, but can deliver absolutely nothing apart from a Labor-Greens Albanese-led Government.”

Still, he said, who people preference was entirely at their discretion.

“You are in control of your vote, not anyone else,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Dempsey said he would not be directing preferences.

“People are tired of the major parties and the neglect of our beautiful region,” Mr Dempsey said.

“I‘m asking people to vote 1 Jack Dempsey for positive change, and to make their own choices after that.”

Mr Scanes’ How-To-Vote card, shared on Twitter, has Mr Dempsey third, ahead of Mr Pitt in fourth.

Incumbent IDe bay LNP candidate Llew O’Brien has preferenced all of the minor parties and Independents running foe the seat ahead of Labor and the Greens. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

In the Wide Bay, incumbent LNP candidate Llew O’Brien’s How-To-Vote card followed the pattern observed on most of the other LNP candidate’s cards across Australia.

Mr O’Brien’s has put the Greens and Labor at the bottom of the ballot, behind the United Australia Party, the Australian Values Party, the Australian Federation Party, One Nation, the Informed Medical Options Party and two Independents.

Labor’s Geoff Williams. meanwhile, has put Mr O’Brien and the LNP fifth behind the Greens, Australian Values Party, and Independent Tim Jerome.

Mr Jerome said he will not be directing preferences.

“I don’t try and tell anyone where they put their preferences,” Mr Jerome said.

“I ask people to do their own research before they come and vote, write down on a slip of paper how they want to vote and then don’t take the idiot how to vote material from the parties.”

Independent Kelli Jacobi did not respond to questions about her preferences.

The How-To-Vote card published on her web page preferences Independent candidates first, then minor parties, followed by the Greens, Labor, and the LNP.