Labor candidate, Jack Ayoub, visits Dubbo in a bid to unseat incumbent MP Mark Coulton

Jack Ayoub believes voters from Parkes are starting to throw their support behind his campaign in the upcoming election. Here’s what he said.

Labor candidate for Parkes Jack Ayoub met with community members in Dubbo on Friday as he ramped up his bid to unseat incumbent National MP Mark Coulton.

Mr Ayoub, who was accompanied by NSW Labor Senator Deborah O’Neill, arrived in the city on Thursday for a dinner with Labor branch members and volunteers who he said were “multiplying by the day”.

Since its inception in 1984, the seat of Parkes has remained a relatively safe National seat, and Mr Ayoub is confident that he has what it takes to become the first Labor member in the electorate.

Labor candidate Jack Ayoub and NSW Senator Deborah O'Neill with supporters in Dubbo.

Speaking with Dubbo radio stations on Friday morning, Mr Ayoub said he was hoping to get the word out, so that community members had a better understanding of thee core values of the Labor Party.

“We did a lot of radio this morning,” Mr Ayoub told the Dubbo News.

“We (Labor) perhaps historically haven’t been here (Parkes) as much as we should’ve, but we have to remember (that) many regional seats were once very marginal and that the Labor Party at its heart is a regional party.

“So any assertion that the National party is the party of country people is historically garbage, as far as I’m concerned. It is us (Labor).”

In speaking with residents during his visit, Mr Ayoub said people were ready for a change in leadership, something he said he could offer if he were to be elected to represent the electorate in Canberra.

“What I have noticed is that we have increased our membership in Dubbo, we have volunteers coming out of the woodwork who have never voted Labor before,” he said.

“Not only are they changing their vote but they are actually coming out to help us, and support us. I think that’s because they are galvanised to our message.

“We’re talking about age care, we’re talking about childcare, we’re talking about connectivity, something that should be a given in this country.

“People are enlivened that we are speaking to them on the issues that are important to them and we’re putting forward a plan of action.”

A major focus for Mr Ayoub’s campaign is the need for improvements involving telecommunications.

“(It) is a central pillar, if you have that you can give better health provision, you can get educated better, you can then start a small business and have better connectivity, so that being sub par in our electorate is pulling the brakes on things,” Mr Ayoub said.

“My capacity to listen to people on their terms and advocate for their case, not for a political case but for their case, is a skill that is resonating with people.”

In support of Mr Ayoub’s campaign and in addressing the growing issues in Parkes, Ms O’Neill sent a message to voters.

“You need to change your vote for your town, you need to change your vote for your region, and you need to send somebody who is going to stand up and fight for you,” Ms O’Neill said.

“As I said, a son of the west (Mr Ayoub), who is ready to do the work, shout, jump up … do whatever it takes to actually be heard in a place of power.”