that would be the reason. vote in labor and they'd have no job and no food on the table.
the seat has been coalition for more than 100 years. labor was never going to win it. labor's loss of support had a lot to do with poor leadership, local political issues and move to independents - the latter affecting the nats as well.
the broader picture is the libs have been able to sell the fable they are for workers and they are better economic managers. now we have a record debt and workers are being royally screwed on all fronts maybe the they'll wake-up to the fact the liberals hate 'em.
The L in ALP is no longer enough for aspirational workers, e.g the fifo workers across the country, many on great money with great sacrifice from the family.
If you look at the primary vote in the Upper Hunter for both sides of politics, its down, down .... the traditional voting lines are disappearing across the board as people reject what is on offer from both sides.