Member for Parkes Mark Coulton MP has left parliament for the final time after deciding not to contest the May 3 federal election

He issued a statement following his departure from parliament for the final time.

"With today’s announcement of a 3 May 2025 Federal Election, my time as the 1,029th member elected to the Australian Parliament and as the Federal Member for Parkes has now officially come to an end," Mr Coulton said.

I thank my family, colleagues, staff and The Nationals for their unwavering trust in me to do this job. I will be forever grateful for the people of the Parkes Electorate and the support they have shown me over the past 17 years.

I said in my first speech that I have a deep and unshakeable belief in inland Australia; and I still believe that to this day. There is no better place to live in the world than Australia, and no better place in Australia to live than in western New South Wales.

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of the Parkes Electorate.

Thank you."

Jamie Chaffey has been pre-selected as the Nationals candidate in the upcoming election.