Liberal picks Michael Cooper for Maitland as One Nation surges
Michael Cooper, Liberal candidate for Maitland, sees One Nation as competition rather than enemy, with the party polling at 32%.
Michael Cooper, a head teacher at St Philip's Christian College, was unveiled as the Liberal candidate for Maitland on Wednesday. Michael Cooper views One Nation as competition rather than an enemy.
"We will not be distracted from running our own race," Cooper said at the launch. Polling released this week showed Labor at 32.1 per cent, One Nation at 32 per cent, Greens at 16.2 per cent, and the Coalition at just 14.2 per cent.
Cooper has lived in Maitland for 30 years and says his job is to return the seat to the Liberals and address local cost-of-living pressures. The party will decide later how to exchange preferences with One Nation.
- 30
- Years in Maitland
- 32 percent
- One Nation polling
- 32.1 percent
- Labor polling
- 14.2 percent
- Coalition polling
Why it mattersOne Nation's rise in regional NSW is reshaping how traditional parties campaign; treating them as competitors rather than enemies signals a tactical shift.
AustraliaMaitland voters will see the Liberals focus on local issues rather than attacking rivals, but weak Coalition polling suggests One Nation could dominate the seat.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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