Mark Coulton has taken out the seat of Parkes in the federal election.
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At 9pm, the Nationals held 60 per cent of the votes, followed by Labor’s Kate Stewart with 29 per cent, Matt Parmeter from the Greens had six per cent, Christian Democratic Party’s Glen Ryan held four per cent of the votes, and John Ayton had two per cent.
Mr Coulton said it may have been a safe seat but at times that is a curse.
“I get one vote and I know [my wife] Robyn votes for me but everyone else makes that decision. So today probably about 68,000 have decided to vote for the National party and me today,” he said.
The issue on everyone’s lips, the cancer centre for Dubbo Hospital, has drawn closer to reality.
“As we’re watching the results come through… I’m looking at the fate of my colleagues but I’m also looking at the fate of a western NSW cancer centre because at the moment it’s in the balance,” Mr Coulton said.
“If we’re in government then very quickly I’ll be talking to my good friend Deputy Premier Troy Grant.
“If we win tonight than the cancer centre for western NSW is a reality. No one else made that promise . Safest seat in Australia and as an election commitment we pledged $25 million.”
However, Mr Coulton said if the coalition didn’t get back in power than he would hand the 34,000 signatures over to the new government.
Mr Coulton said he was very pleased with the results in Gunnedah, and acknowledged the poor outcome in Broken Hill.
“What I can promise the people of Broken Hill is that in three years time they’ll know who Mark Coulton is and they’ll know that when they ring one of these people in my office they will get their full attention,” he said.
“I make this promise to the people of Western NSW. Despite the size of the electorate we are going to work very, very hard to be your voice in the Australian Parliament.”
Mr Coulton got emotional as he thanked his family for their dedication and their hard work.
“Robyn is the brains behind the campaign, she’s the driving force,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that the result tonight is because of the work that she’s done and I’m very, very proud of that.”
Orlander Ruming
Deputy editor at the Daily Liberal, covering council, politics, human interest stories, community news and everything in between.
Deputy editor at the Daily Liberal, covering council, politics, human interest stories, community news and everything in between.
