Early polling in Labor safe seat shows Mackay could be at risk, with LNP candidate Nigel Dalton leading

Exit polling on one of Labor’s safest seats has shown it could be at risk with the LNP proving popular with 100 early voters on day two of the election period.

As voters poured through the Mackay Showgrounds to cast their ballots on the second day of early voting, the Daily Mercury asked 100 of them who they voted for.

The seat of Mackay has only been lost by Labor once in it’s 100+ year history — and even that was to disendorsed Labor candidate Ed Casey who later returned to the party.

But 58% of the people we polled were voting for the LNP candidate Nigel Dalton in this election.

Labor’s Belinda Hassan pulled 34 per cent of the vote, One Nation candidate Kylee Stanton received seven per cent of the vote and Ben Gauci of the Legalise Cannabis Party received one vote.

Many of the people voting early on the hot Tuesday morning were Mackay’s elderly citizens who were next heading to the senior’s expo, with younger voters pouring through as the day went on.

Exit polling from day two of early voting at the Mackay Showground shows Nigel Dalton in the lead with 58 per cent of the vote.

Mackay resident Merelyn Quakawoot said she had known Mr Dalton for a number of years.

“He’s pretty honest,” Ms Quakawoot said.

“Give him a go.”

West Mackay’s Deborah Jackson reckons it's time for a change. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Heather from Slade Point said she admired the way Mr Dalton did his job on the police force.

“I reckon he’ll do a lot for our region,” she said.

Labor candidate Belinda Hassan was joined by her mother Deborah Colby at her booth at the Mackay Showground. Photo: Fergus Gregg

West Mackay resident Deborah Jackson said it was time for a change of government.

“Labor needs to get out,” Ms Jackson said.

“Change is as good as a holiday.”

LNP candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton (left) with a supporter. Early voter polls reflect a potential blue wave for the seat. Photo: Fergus Gregg

One Labor voter, who wished to remain anonymous, said they’d voted for Labor once more due to the Julieanne Gilbert’s track record.

“The previous member went about her job quietly and with dignity and she got the job done,” they said.

Roger Stacey said he chose the LNP over Labor because “the economy is in deep shit”.

Slade Point resident Bill said he was voting for Kylee Stanton as “the best of a bad lot”.

Another LNP voter who declined to give their name said they “just wanted crime sorted”.

Senator Matt Canavan joined Mr Dalton and Mr Kelly at the early voting booth in Mackay. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Labor’s Belinda Hassan was joined by her mother, daughter and retiring Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert in handing out her how-to-vote cards, as well as Whitsunday candidate Bauke Hovinga.

LNP candidate Nigel Dalton was joined by senator Matt Canavan, who visited Sarina for early voting on Monday and spent time with Mirani LNP candidate Glen Kelly, who also appeared at the showgrounds.
Mr Canavan said the central and north Queensland seats were ‘hot’.

“There’s a real contest in Mackay and Rockhampton.”

Greens candidate Paula Creen was there for early voters, but had to rush off to work.

Ben Gauci from the Legalise Cannabis Party and Norman Martin from the Family First party were not seen by this masthead.

Early voting is also open at the Andergrove Neighbourhood Centre.

Originally published as Early polling in Labor safe seat shows Mackay could be at risk, with LNP candidate Nigel Dalton leading