LAST Saturday, federal election day, saw the Federal Government change in what British comedian John Cleese described as “a civilised hand-over of power” that is the envy of many other countries.

The two Coffs Coast electorates of Cowper and Page highlighted two vastly different political situations, although both sitting Nationals members were eventually returned.

Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan claimed victory in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, following a tight race that was too close to call in the days following polling day. 

“With all polling booth and pre-poll numbers now in, and a large percentage of postal votes now counted and assigned, it is time for me to officially agree with all the media reports and call the seat of Cowper as a ‘Nationals Retain’,” said Mr Conaghan, who will serve his second term as Cowper MP. 

“I am humbled to be given a second opportunity to represent the people of Cowper.

“I have learned an incredible amount over these past three years and have listened to views from all sides.

“I will be taking those views and using them to form decisions for the electorate moving forward.”

Mr Conaghan thanked his election opponents for their “passionate advocacy” on key electorate issues throughout the campaign. 

“Every candidate has the community at heart, first and foremost, and for that every candidate should be applauded and congratulated.

“I do not take the privilege of representing the best region in Australia lightly.
“I am proud to be able to continue to represent our region in the Federal Parliament and will continue to fight for a fair-go for Cowper,” he said.
In a concession statement released on Tuesday, Independent candidate Caz Heise said she had always accepted that beating Mr Conaghan would not be easy given he held Cowper by a margin of more than eleven percent. 

“It’s been an incredible privilege to run as the Independent Candidate in the seat of Cowper and I am extremely heartened by the movement we have created in our region and the very close race we were able to mount,” Ms Heise said.

“I am relieved to see the values of the people of Cowper are more closely reflected in the government of Australia again.”
Ms Heise thanked the “generous and wonderful” volunteers who had worked with her throughout the campaign. 

“Thank you too, to the hundreds of local people whose generous donations enabled us to run a dynamic campaign which dramatically slashed the Nationals margin in Cowper.”

Cowper has now gone from being a safe Nationals seat to a marginal seat, with a significant swing against the sitting member of around 9.2 percent. 

Throughout the campaign Mr Conaghan acknowledged that some national issues might have contributed to the drop in his votes.

Ms Heise campaigned on issues of climate change and integrity, and came very close to winning.

Despite a campaign to paint Ms Heise, and other ‘teal’ Independents, as puppets of Climate 200 and founder Simon Holmes à Court, her media manager, Graeme Singleton, said the campaign was a real community-based effort, with more than 700 local donors to Ms Heise’s campaign and more than 800 volunteers.

Ms Heise told her supporters on election night, “I’ve looked for people all my life who are different and want to change the world and now I’ve found them in ‘Caz4Cowper’.”

She said she will run again, commenting, “It’s about the beautiful region that we live in and the planet we live on.”
Meanwhile in Page, Kevin Hogan bucked the political slaughter of many of his Coalition colleagues and, at least, maintained his previous support.

Many commentators assumed that climate change and the Federal Government’s response to the recent floods would impact Mr Hogan’s votes, so the result will very likely be analysed by strategists of all political persuasions.

Mr Hogan thanked his supporters and said, “This one is personal, the flood recovery task has only just begun, there is much more to do.

“I will work with and push any government, State or Federal, both Coalition and Labor, and any bureaucrat to speed up our recovery.

“The task is above politics and needs continued urgency,” he said.

Labor’s Patrick Deegan, who polled the second highest number of votes in Page, thanked his supporters and congratulated Mr Hogan.

He said, “It was clear throughout the pre-poll period and again today that Kevin has built a very strong personal brand in the region”. 

“While many people were unhappy with the Morrison Government, the people of Northern NSW have given Kevin strong endorsement to continue as their representative.”

By Andrew VIVIAN