Cowper
Coastal Vote
Fairly safe Nationals, 6.7% (post-redistribution – previously 6.5%)
Cowper is a rural seat, on the NSW mid-north coast, extending north from Kempsey through South West Rocks, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Urunga, Dorrigo, Sawtell, Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Glenreagh, Ulmarra and Maclean. It’s not well-off – 2001 census figures showed that Cowper had the second-lowest median family income in the nation.
National Luke Hartsuyker has been the local MP since 2001. Cowper has existed since Federation and has been held by the Country or National Party for most of its history. The one-time Country Party leader Earle Page held it for more than forty years. Labor has only won the seat once, in 1961.
Cowper looks fairly safe for the Nationals on paper, but demographic change on the coast is working against them, as tourist and retirement industries replace agriculture. As with the other NSW north coast seats, there are some pockets of very high Greens support. Hartsuyker is also regarded as an uninspiring member, so Labor's John Fitzroy might just have a chance.
Declared Candidates
- John Carty, Greens
- Luke Hartsuyker, The Nationals
- Paul Sekfy, Labor Party
2 PARTY PREFERRED BOOTH SWINGS - 2004 ELECTION
2 PARTY PREFERRED VOTE BY BOOTH - 2004 ELECTION
LEGEND:
Green: Nationals
Red: Labor
Size of figure reflects the number of votes cast at booth
OTHER NSW MARGINALS
