Hinchinbrook elections: Poll gives advantage to KAP MP Nick Dametto

A poll in the heartland of Hinchinbrook electorate gives an early advantage to the district’s favourite son – and it’s not LNP leader David Crisafulli.

Hinchinbrook couple Roy and Pauline Johnson, former Brits who have been in Australia for 15 years, both backed LNP, saying incumbent MP Nick Dametto and KAP had no real power in parliament. Picture: Cameron Bates

A straw poll of voters in the rural heartland of the expansive Hinchinbrook electorate gives a significant advantage to the district’s favourite son – and it’s not LNP leader David Crisafulli.

Of 20 early voters questioned at the early-voting centre in Ingham, 14 said they were backing incumbent MP Nick Dametto of Katter’s Australian Party.

Five said they had selected LNP candidate Annette Swaine, a former police officer and tourism operator, and just two said they backed mystery Labor candidate Ina Pryor, a school cleaner from West End in Townsville.

There were no votes in the informal poll for One Nation candidate Ric Daubert, Queensland Greens candidate Jon Kowski and Legalise Cannabis Queensland candidate Kevin Wheatley.

Just KAP and LNP party members were handing out how-to-vote cards at the station at lunchtime on Tuesday.

In addition to Ingham, Hinchinbrook hosts an early-voting centre in Deeragun in Townsville, while voters in the north of the electorate, including Cardwell and Tully Heads, can hop over the border to Hill to cast their ballots in Tully.

Mr Dametto, favourite for a third term in office, was the clear leader among voters who participated in the poll, although about 10 people kept their cards close to their chests.

Of the 10, three hinted they had selected the LNP, indicating a potentially much-closer race than the informal poll showed.

Campaign material from incumbent Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto being handed out at the early-voting centre in Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

Campaign material from incumbent Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto being handed out at the early-voting centre in Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

Nick Dametto

Retirees Judy, a former nurse, and Barry King, another former government employee, said they were both backing Dametto, praising the everywhere man’s work ethic.

“He’s always working around here, always.”

The couple, who said they were voting early for the convenience and to avoid long queues on election day, said their number one issue for themselves and a lot of other voters was the cost-of-living crisis.

“Not for us so much but for the kids and grandkids,” Mrs King said.

She said that although she had not spoken to Mr Dametto about his plans to ease the crisis, the MP always battled for what was best for his constituents.

“We’re at Forrest Beach, we’ve got a terrible internet service, he’s been working with Telstra to sort it, he’s committed to our community.”

Like other voters, the couple said they had not been influenced by any recent campaigning and had voted for Mr Dametto four years ago and would do so again.

The pair said Labor’s pledge for free school lunches did not fly with voters, as Forrest Beach State School, for example, did not even have a canteen.

“Who’s going to provide it?” Mr King asked rhetorically, “the taxpayers”.

Ms King said the local branch of the Country Woman’s Association already provided free breakfasts for students one day a week.

Hinchinbrook retirees Judy, a former nurse, and Barry King, another former government employee, said they were both backing incumbent MP Nick Dametto, praising the everywhere man’s work ethic. Picture: Cameron Bates

Glenn Beatts, who used to work with Mr Dametto in the mines, said his old mate never stopped working for the district and seemingly attended every event on the annual calendar, big or small.

“Wherever there is something on, he’s there.”

He was not impressed by Labor, including its free lunch pledge that he labelled as an attempt to buy votes.

Mr Beatts, who is voting before flying out to PNG for work, said the cost of living was a key issue confronting Queenslanders and their children and grandchildren.

Margaret Shegog, a retired cane farmer, said the electorate benefited from having an MP who was not a member of a major political party, saying Mr Dametto was not afraid to help the community address any issues without having to tow party lines.

“Any issues that happen in the district, he’s not afraid to take them on and get them sorted for us.”

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto campaign volunteer Jason Valastro wooing voters at the at the early-voting centre in Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

Ina Pryor

Sandra Halt, a retiree and mother of two, said she believed Steven Miles deserved a shot at a full term as premier.

“He has made a lot of promises that I don’t think will work out but I want him to try.”

She said she was not impressed by Mr Crisafulli, who was related to her family but whom she had never met.

“He might be a very nice man, but publicly no.”

Campaign material from LNP candidate for Hinchinbrook Annette Swain being handed out at the early-voting centre in Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, also harboured deep concerns about Mr Crisafulli.

“There is no way in the world I would vote for Crisafulli, I don’t think he’s telling the truth.”

She said she feared people were voting for change, for change’s sake, which was a huge mistake for Queensland.

Annette Swaine

Couple Roy and Pauline Johnson, Brits who have been in Australia for 15 years, both backed LNP, saying Mr Dametto and KAP had no real power in parliament.

“Whoever wins, (Mr Dametto) is on the crossbench and being on the crossbench, unfortunately, means he won’t be able to do anything and that’s what’s happened for the last (two terms),” Mr Johnson said.

“He can promise whatever he wants but he’s got to go cap in hand to any other party and try to get money out of them.”

Campaign material from LNP candidate for Hinchinbrook Annette Swain being handed out at the early-voting centre in Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Johnson said that would present difficulties for Mr Dametto who had “alienated both Labor and the LNP”.

“They’re not going to give him anything,” he said.

“I’m a resident in this area and I want progress otherwise it’s going to be stagnant.”

Mrs Johnson said she was impressed by Annette Swain.

“She knows about law and order, she’s been a police officer for god knows how many years and I think that is going to be one of the things that she is going to bring to the office if she gets in.”

Originally published as Hinchinbrook elections: Poll gives advantage to KAP MP Nick Dametto