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THE Australian Electoral Commission has confirmed they won’t be shutting 13 voting booths in Calare as proposed in August including the booths at Hampton, Capertee and Oakey Park.
They’ve announced only five of the 13 polling booths will be closed in the coming election.
Federal Member for Calare John Cobb fought extremely hard to keep the majority of the booths open, meeting with the AEC and raising the possible closures in Parliament.
Mr Cobb expressed his disappointment in the proposal as it unfairly targeted regional people.
“People shouldn’t have to travel long distances to exercise their democratic right and obligation to vote,” he said.
Speaking out against the changes has had a positive outcome for the Calare electorate as Mr Cobb has managed to ensure seven booths set to close under the proposal will remain open.
“I’m pleased residents living in Hampton, Capertee and Oakey Park will be able to vote in their own town and won’t have to make a special trip to vote in the coming Federal election.”
Booths will also continue to operate in Peel, Burraga, Alectown, Neville and Trunkey.
“It’s a great result for these communities and in my eyes it’s a good common sense approach.”
Polling booths to be closed include Sofala where locals will be able to use the Wattle Flat polling booth just less than 8km away, Mitchell Campus located in Bathurst, Parkes Hospital, Vale of Clwydd and Littleton located in Lithgow.