Challengers emerge in Mayo

Other challengers in this year’s election include Family First’s Bruce Hicks, who represented the party in the 2010 and 2013 federal elections, and the Greens’ Nathan Daniell who served on the Trees for Life board for six years.

Alexander Downer held the seat from 1984 until his retirement from politics in 2008, with sitting member Jamie Briggs winning the subsequent by-election.

The Mayo electorate covers an area of about 9315 square kilometres from Springton in the north to Goolwa in the south, and includes regional towns like Yankalilla, Victor Harbor, Strathalbyn, Mount Barker, Lobethal, Hahndorf and Birdwood.

Major agricultural industries in the region include dairyfarming, horticulture, viticulture, beef and sheep.

Mr Briggs has strengthened the Liberals’ hold on the seat, winning 46.76 per cent of the primary vote in 2010 and 53.82pc of the primary vote in 2013.

On a two-candidate preferred basis in the 2013 election, Mr Briggs won 62.51pc of the vote against Labor’s Norah Fahy.

Mr Briggs, a former employment relations adviser at Business SA, said he was drawn to politics because he realised the only way to have an influence on Australia’s future was to be involved.

“I knew that hard work and making the most of your opportunities will bring rewards,” he said.

“I knew we were a country of abundant opportunities, where anyone willing to have a go could reach for their potential.

“I also realised if Australia was to keep its place in the world, as a country that punches far above its weight, we had to continue to face up to our challenges; I was excited to take on this challenge.”

As member for Mayo, Mr Briggs said he had gained a “true appreciation and deep understanding of rural, regional and agricultural issues across SA”. 

“I have worked with the south coast fishermen, Fleurieu Peninsula dairyfarmers, McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek winemakers, and fruit growers and orchardists in the Adelaide Hills, among many others, on issues affecting their industries,” he said. 

Mr Briggs will face a challenge to his seat from new rivals, Mr Dallimore and Ms Sharkie.

A metals tradesmen who has worked in the SA automotive and defence industries, Labor’s Mr Dallimore has a strong focus on keeping industry in the state, and providing affordable healthcare and education for future generations. 

Road and transport infrastructure is another issue that Mr Dallimore is passionate about, an issue which shapes as key in the upcoming vote.

Nick Xenophon Team’s Ms Sharkie said Mayo’s standing as a “safe blue ribbon seat” was detracting from the electorate’s needs, with a lack of health, road and public transport infrastructure.

“We have less than our fair share on a per capita basis of road funding, yet we have a disproportionate number of serious road crashes and road fatalities,” she said.

“I have called my campaign ‘Make Mayo Matter’ as I believe we need to be a marginal seat to attract the attention of the federal parliament.

“I also believe if the seat is held by a minor party we will have greater leverage than if it is held by a backbencher who is a member of the government.”

Experienced Family First campaigner Bruce Hicks shares Ms Sharkie’s view that the Mayo electorate suffers from being a ‘safe seat’, pointing to freight and road problems as issues which need to be addressed.

A dairyfarmer, Mr Hicks also has a strong agricultural focus.

“I developed my past and present schools’ agriculture program and taught VET Rural Operations,” he said.

“We have partnerships with Paddock to Plate, Royal Adelaide Show led steers and Cows Create Careers.

“My Family First colleague Rob Brokenshire is a fellow Mount Compass dairyfarmer.”

Greens’ candidate Nathan Daniell rounds out the list of main contenders for the Mayo seat.

Mr Daniell grew up in rural SA and wants to maintain his electorate’s reputation as an area of clean, green agriculture and biodiversty.