Independent candidate and former Liberal Cr Philip Penfold organised the telephone poll through Reachtel, which asked 711 people for their preferences on a two-candidate basis.

There were 53,160 voters enrolled in the seat of Maitland as of January this year.

According to the poll results, Labor’s Jenny Aitchison would attract 61.6 per cent of the vote over Liberal Steve Thomson, who would get 38.4 per cent.

She would also beat Cr Penfold, based on the results, with 50.6 per cent over Cr Penfold’s 49.4 per cent.

The survey found that Cr Penfold would attract 69.8 per cent of the vote over Mr Thomson, 30.2 per cent, in a two-candidate preferred contest.

Cr Penfold said he believed the polling showed that it was impossible for the Liberal Party to retain Maitland. 

“It shows that if I come first or ­second in the primary vote with ALP it will be very close,” he said.

A Liberal spokesperson told the Mercury that the party never commented on polling.

“Steve Thomson is busy working hard for the Maitland community,” the spokesperson said.

The poll results did not include Greens candidate John Brown.

“Those who will vote the Greens were still asked about where they would place their vote if it came down to each final two grouping,” Cr Penfold said.

“They weren’t one of the options in the final two as they have no chance of making it to the top two.”

Mr Brown said it was heartening that Cr Penfold had attempted to sideline the Greens as not being a major competitor.

“Mr Penfold was always going to receive the protest vote,” he said. 

“That is people who are upset with both the old parties. But I don’t think it will be enough.

“One thing that this alleged private phone polling shows is that Mr Penfold is more of a politician than the politicians. He’s playing their game.”

Ms Aitchison said she was not focussed on polling.

“I am focused on addressing the issues facing our community rather than wondering who might be more popular today,” she said.

Editorial