While 38 per cent of respondents said they would vote Liberal and 35.3 per cent said Labor, once preferences were taken into account Dr Kelly pulled ahead with 55 per cent of the two party preferred result. 

In the poll, The Greens’ candidate Tamara Ryan took 12.9 per cent of the vote, the Animal Justice Party’s Frankie Seymour had two per cent, the Christian Democratic Party’s Ursula Bennett 1.1 per cent with 5.7 going to Independents or the Veteran Party’s Don Friend. 

About 78 per cent of minor party voters said they would preference Dr Kelly higher than Dr Hendy. 

The poll was conducted by ReachTEL and released on June 21 after surveying 636 residents across the electorate the night before. 

In related news, pre-polling has started at the CWA Hall on Church St, Bega. 

It is open Tuesday 8.30am-5.30pm, then Wednesday to Friday 8.30am-6pm.