I was disgusted in the smear campaign aimed at Rob Oakeshott. So many lies in our letterboxes and on our TVs

While I acknowledge some National supporters refused to put up negative banners outside election booths, when I asked a volunteer his opinion his answer was "never let truth get in the way of a good story". I was also disgusted by the tactics of a disrespectful employee of the National Party who had been seconded from head office in Sydney to hand out how to vote forms. He had to be cautioned for what he said to voters.

I'm sure some readers would think that this sentiment is sour grapes. So I would say. How do you think The Nationals vote in Cowper would have gone if a smear campaign had been directed at Mr Conaghan especially as little was known about his past? Perhaps things might have been different and certainly horrible for his family and his career.

I'm hoping Mr Conaghan can begin to regain some respect of a significant sector of Cowper by facilitating the Coffs Bypass as promised, doing something about our local unemployment crisis and making sure Mr Morrison follows through on his promises.

The saddest result of the election is that any future candidate would have to be very brave or nasty to take on the Nationals in Cowper. They have shown that positive campaigning by them is a thing of the past.

Eleanor Holliday

Nambucca Heads