Braddon candidate Craig Brakey gives major parties’ rivals a run for their money

He’s the independent candidate seeking to give the major parties a headache in the marginal seat of Braddon.

Independent candidate for Braddon Craig Brakey on his Sheffield farm. Picture: Grant Wells

HE’S the independent candidate who could give the major parties a headache in the marginal seat of Braddon.

Nobody knows which way North-West businessman Craig Brakey’s preferences will flow, least of all the man himself, who says he is focused solely on securing enough first preferences to ensure he has a chance at winning the seat.

Mr Brakey’s campaign has, in his own words, “flown under the radar” until now — less than two weeks out from polling day — when his odds have shortened dramatically.

“I think I started off at $109 in the betting,” he said.

“Not that I follow it. Someone else follows it and reports back to me.”

Sportsbet now has an independent at third favourite to win Braddon, behind the major parties at $10 but “not short enough” for Mr Brakey’s liking.

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Both Labor and the Liberals have preferenced him at number four while he has issued an open ticket, a strategy Mr Brakey said was aimed at attracting voters fed up with both major parties.

“If there’s three of us left and I finish second (on first preferences), I’ll win because I’ll get both of their preferences,” he said.

“If you’re going to be independent, you can’t go and do deals with anyone. You might as well be in a major party if you start doing deals.”

And Mr Brakey could once have been a major party candidate: twice he sought pre-selection for the Liberals, including at last year’s Braddon by-election, but both times he was unsuccessful.

“I’m not saying I was the best candidate — although I think I was — but I don’t think that’s what it’s always about,” Mr Brakey said, adding that he had not had significant involvement with the party at branch level.

Mr Brakey, a former McDonalds franchisee, said the major parties had for too long focused on election cycles and failed to adequately fund health and education for the long-term, despite both making major funding announcements leading up to poll.

As the independent movement gains traction across the country, he has spoken to staff for Clark independent Andrew Wilkie and retiring member for Indi Cathy McGowan about running a successful campaign.

The Brakey team includes managers at Burnie, Devonport, Smithton and the West Coast, with about 130 people expected to volunteer for him on polling day.

“We’ve just done it ourselves — that’s what independents do,” he said.

Labor’s Justine Keay holds Braddon on a 1.7 per cent margin.