Meet one of your newest Port Stephens councillors, Peter Kafer

Cr Kafer, who has always stood as an Independent at local government elections despite his well-known Labor Party allegiance, received well above the 42 per cent of the vote to win a seat on west ward - a figure which may have surprised many, but not the man himself.

"I campaigned the old fashioned way, the Labor Party grassroots way, by knocking on doors, talking to and listening to people... no social media and no letter-box drops," he said.

"I had a small band of helpers and I could not have won without their support. They included family members, Bob Burns, Jamie Want and Lea and Reyna Smith [who appeared number two and three on his ticket]."

A former police officer, Cr Kafer has a colourful political past having first been elected to Newcastle Council nearly three decades ago while living in Stockton. He served one term (1995-99) at Newcastle before moving to Raymond Terrace and standing for Port Stephens Council at the 2004 election where he narrowly missed out.

After four years in the wilderness, Mr Kafer was back in 2008 and this time he was successful, holding down a west ward seat until 2017, where again the people voted him out but the resilient Mr Kafer remained undeterred.

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"I was tossing up whether or not to stand this time and decided to have a shot after having so many people asking me to come back. I can't tell you how many people would have come up to me at my 'office' [the Red Eye Cafe] asking me to run."

Cr Kafer, a proud Dharawhl man, says he is constantly helping out the less fortunate in his community in areas of domestic violence, community and neighbourhood disputes and court issues.

"[This time] I campaigned on local issues. Roads will be a major focus but I will also be advocating for public safety, mental health, homelessness and assisting people with disabilities."

Cr Kafer says he would always vote with his conscience.

"Just because I am a Labor Party member does not mean I will be voting with the Labor councillors. We have an interesting dynamic with the new council - four Labor, four Independents from Ryan Palmer's team, one Liberal and myself."

A prominent Aboriginal artist, Cr Kafer's artworks have been showcased all over the world. One of his proudest paintings, titled MAARA 5, hangs in the Newcastle Airport admin office, which recognises the importance of fish in saltwater people.

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