Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the 2025 Federal Election for 3 May but with five weeks to go, there are still only four candidates nominated for the Parkes electorate. 

In the last federal election, voters across the vast Parkes electorate had nine candidates to choose from.

This election will see voters in the shires of Parkes, Forbes and Bland (West Wyalong) joining the state's largest electorate - the Parkes Electoral Division.

The change came in mid-2024 after boundaries were adjusted to accommodate the abolition of the Division of North Sydney and the reduction of the number of members in the House of Representatives from 27 to 46.

The Parkes electorate is now roughly half the state, with the addition of an extra 13,342 square kilometres bringing the area to 406,755 square kilometres.

The estimated number of enrolled voters is now 128,178 people, as the new shires bring along just over 19,000 eligible people.

Sal Edwards - Libertarian

Farmer Sal Edwards from Coolah is running as a Libertarian candidate for Parkes. This is the first time Ms Edwards has stood for the federal election. 

She has worked in community development for the past 15 years, including as a youth camp coordinator in Coolah, as a Camp Draft Association member, treasurer of the Coolah Youth and Community Centre. 

“If elected, I will stand to protect and support family, small business, and the rural way of life. For our kids and for their kids,” Ms Edwards said.

“I know that I don’t have all the answers myself but will find the people who between them do.

“After listening to the budget being presented and the coalition’s response this week, I have not been more committed and more proud to stand for a minor party."

Sal Edwards Photo: Sal Edwards Libertarian Candidate for Parkes

Ms Edwards was named ‘Barwon Woman of the Year’ this year for her tireless efforts and advocacy for rural NSW.

Maurice Davey - Family First

Fourth Generation farmer and grazier Maurice Davey from Alectown is running for Family First Party. As a father of four children and grandfather to nine, Mr Davey found purpose in running for the Family First Party. 

According to his campaign website, Mr Davey adheres strongly to the Judeo-Christian ethic. 

“His focus is very strongly on the preservation and active nurture of the family unit, recognising it as the basic building block of a happy and prosperous society”

Maurice Davey. Photo: Family First

In 2019, he ran for the state elections as part of the Christian Democratic Party for the Orange electorate. He came in fifth with 1,627 votes.

Trish Frail - The Greens

Ms Frail announced her candidacy for Parkes in early March.

The Brewarrina councillor and Ngemba woman puts a strong focus on environmental issues including successfully fighting against the establishment of a nuclear waste facility in the Brewarrina shire. 

Trish Frail. Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.5 Australia Licence. Photo: Australia Greens.

"I know the impact of climate change firsthand," Ms Frail said. 

"My previous partner had respiratory issues arising from droughts and so in 2016, we had to move to Western Australia for a couple of years. But it was too far from home, so I decided to move back to Bre." 

She has advocated to put Biami Ngunnhu Fish Traps on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

Ms Frail also serves on several boards including the Brewarrina Hospital Board, and NSW government housing committee, is the co-founder of the Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre, and co-convenor of the Australia Free Nuclear Alliance. 

"As a writer, small business owner, elected representative, and hard-working member of community committees and boards, I’m well placed to represent the Parkes electorate in Parliament," Ms Frail said.

Jamie Chaffey - the Nationals 

Jamie Chaffey will step in the footsteps of long-serving Parkes MP Mark Coulton who is retiring. 

The Nationals announced his preselection in August 2024. 

Mr Chaffey has been living in Gunnedah since 1991 and became the mayor of the town in 2016.

He currently lives on cattle grazing property.

Mr Chaffey said his priorities include advancing the completion of the Inland Rail Project, empowering population growth and opportunities for regional people, and increasing water availability in the Northern Basin. 

"I am passionate about regional Australia and will work hard to continue the legacy of Mark Coulton MP, advocating tirelessly to ensure our region gets its fair share," Mr Chaffey said. 

Mark Coulton endorses Nationals candidate Jamie Chaffey. Photo: Mark Coulton MP

Mr Coulton said he stands behind Mr Chaffey. 

"I'm excited the Party has chosen someone of such high calibre," Mr Coulton said. 

"Jamie has been a hardworking community leader, he understands the issues facing our communities and knows that regional Australia is the back of our economy."

Previous election

In the last federal election in 2022, there were nine candidates for Parkes with Mark Coulton and Jack Ayoub (Labor) emerging as the favourites. 

Around 89 per cent of 109,000 eligible voters in the Parkes electorate turned out to cast their votes. 

Ultimately, Mr Coulton won the election with 49 percent of votes in the first preference count. 

In 2022, other parties including the Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia, The Greens, Liberal Democrats, Pauline Hanson's One National, United Australia Party, and Informed Medical Options Party also had candidates running, along with Stuart Howe as an Independent candidate. 

Sunday 30, March: This story has been updated to include Sal Edwards and Maurice Davey as candidates for Parkes.