Cowper 2022 federal election: Voters reveal their thoughts

History shows the local electorate of Cowper is in lock-step with The Nationals, but the talk on the streets shows voters are weighing their options.

Many parts of the local federal electorate of Cowper aren’t so much ‘rusted on’ as they are welded to supporting The Nationals party.

That’s no great surprise given the seat bar one rude awakening has been held by the Nats (and its previous guises such as the Country Party) since 1919.

Booths which favour the Nationals are the norm, even in a geographically large seat which changed significantly with the recent inclusion of Port Macquarie.

The southern regional city was an interesting addition for an electorate which already takes in Coffs Harbour and the towns of Kempsey, Nambucca Heads and Macksville.

The incumbent and first-time representative member is Pat Conaghan, a Kempsey born and raised former police prosecutor who comfortably saw off high profile independent Rob Oakeshott at the 2019 vote.

In our first special report on Cowper, we looked at the bellwether booth at Scotts Head to get the vibe from residents.

This week, a sample street survey of constituents at one of the ‘rusted on’ booths – at Nambucca – unearthed a number who said their vote was never a given for any particular party.

In the guarded code of Quiet Australians, the room temperature was mostly warming for Mr Conaghan, a conservative notable for championing local social programs for some of society’s most disadvantaged.

Tracey Preston

Tracey Preston.

Ms Preston said she normally votes “one way”, but didn’t hold particular concern about living in a ‘safe seat’.

“It’s okay. I would rather it being otherwise, but they (the Coalition) do okay,” she said.

Belinda Williams

Belinda Williams.

“I normally vote the same way but I don’t know this year,” Ms Williams said.

“Being in a safe seat probably shows that they’re doing something right.”

Emma Lawson

Emma Lawson.

“Most people my age vote how their parents vote,” Ms Lawson said.

“But I like to ask people and get some broader points.

“It’s great to do your research.”

Rodney Ford

Rodney Ford.

Mr Ford identified himself as a swinging voter.

“I move around,” he said.

Being in a safe seat was potentially a negative, Mr Ford believed.

“It’s probably a bad thing because if that side loses you can get bugger all,” he said.

Jenny Ellis also identified as a swinging voter.

“I move around a bit,” Ms Ellis said.

“I have to suss out where the independent (declared challenger Carolyn Heise) is coming from.”

Ms Ellis had concerns about being in a safe seat.

“It’s always worked against us for funding,” she said.

Paul Preston

Paul Preston.

“I don’t like anything you hear from them. It’s just promises, promises, promises and they don’t deliver,” he said.

“So I’ll go Labor.”