Federal election 2022: Candidate guide, Richmond electorate voting

With the federal election date set, here is an in-depth guide for the Richmond electorate which covers the main town centres of Tweed, Byron and Ballina.

With the date now set for the federal election here’s an in-depth guide on what voters in the Richmond electorate need to know.

When is the federal election?

The federal election will be held on May 21 and polling booths will be open between 8am and 6pm.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the official date on April 10 at a press conference beginning the 41 day campaign.

Is voting compulsory?

It is compulsory for all Australians over the age of 18 to vote. If you haven’t already registered to vote, you can do it here.

What area does Richmond cover?

Richmond covers an area from the New South Wales/Queensland border in the north to Ballina and Pimlico in the south.

The main towns include Ballina, Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Burringbar, Byron Bay, Hastings Point, Kingscliff, Lennox Head, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Suffolk Park, and Tweed Heads.

Overtime the seat has been a traditionally conservative held by the nationals party five times, three of which were in the Anthony family – Hubert Lawrence Anthony (1937 – 1957), former deputy prime minister Doug Anthony (1957 – 1984) and most recently Larry Anthony (1996 – 2004).

The Labor Party has held the seat twice, by Neville Newell between 1990 – 1996 and most recently Justine Elliot since 2004.

Ms Elliot retained the seat with a 4.1 per cent margin in the 2019 election.

Who are the candidates?

Justine Elliot, Labor

Labor candidate for Richmond Justine Elliot.

The current member for Richmond Justine Elliott will be running again this election.

Ms Elliot said this election Labor’s plans were for cheaper power bills, cheaper childcare and more secure, well-paid jobs.

“From our $10 billion plan to ease the housing crisis, to our comprehensive plan to tackle climate change and create over 600,000 jobs, and the creation of a federal anti-corruption commission – Labor is on your side,” Ms Elliot said.

“Labor will create a better life by securing Medicare and making it easier to go and see the doctor and we’ll make childcare more affordable and fix the aged care crisis.

“We will invest in secure local jobs – investing in skills and training including Fee-Free TAFE in areas of skill shortage. We’ll bring manufacturing home.”

She said Labor will also scrap the cashless debit cards.

“As your local MP, I’m proud to have delivered more than $2 billion for local jobs, schools, health, roads and community resources. I am always on your side and committed to working with everyone to build a better North Coast,” she said.

Kimberley Hone, Nationals

Nationals candidate Kimberly Hone said she was committed to a fresh approach to politics where consultation and cooperation replace criticism and conflict.

She said her “Positive Choices” agenda was about showing her three young daughters how they can impact the world with respect and integrity.

“If you want to start changing politics in Canberra, you have to start by changing the politician you send there,” she said.

Mrs Hone has a work history of helping disadvantaged and struggling children and young people and is passionate about supporting all families and individuals, helping them to succeed and flourish.

Mrs Hone with her husband Wez Hone founded a business coaching firm 10 years ago and has fond memories of weekends in Tweed as a child before moving to the area.

She is a member of the SES and spent much of March helping in the clean up and recovery across the region. The Hones also help out in remote Aboriginal communities.

Ms Hone said she chose the Nationals because they were the only political organisation exclusively dedicated to representing the interests of regional areas like the Tweed.

Mandy Nolan, The Greens

Greens candidate Mandy Nolan is a performer, comedian, MC, writer, author, artist, teacher, ambassador and activist, who has lived in the Richmond electorate for more than 30 years.

“Our region is facing some monumental challenges,” Ms Nolan said.

“Last year, we had the biggest increases in rental prices in the country. This year, we’ve been the face of the climate crisis with catastrophic flooding.

“Our two greatest challenges of housing affordability and climate have collided, thousands can’t find housing.”

She said reports prior to the floods showed the Richmond electorate is the most at risk of climate impacts of any regional electorate in the country, yet the Greens views on the climate emergency were being ignored in Canberra.

“The old parties are still approving new coal and gas,” she said.

“I have a strong and independent voice to make real change. I won’t sit back and do nothing. Doing nothing is what has got us to where we are right now.”

Ms Nolan said she was running for people who feel unrepresented.

“I’m running to make a real change and finally get some federal investment into Richmond to fund new housing, disaster preparedness, stop new coal and gas, and put dental and mental health into Medicare,” she said.

Gary Biggs, Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats candidate Gary Biggs said he believed regular people were sick of being “dictated to and bullied by” the parties in power.

“The average punter needs the chance to vote for a real freedom party, a party with liberty at its very core,” Mr Biggs said.

Not a party who discovered “more freedom” just in time for an election.

“Not a Green ring-in pretending to be a freedom ‘independent’ and waiting until after the election to reveal their true colours and cut off our 24/7 reliable electricity.”

Mr Biggs is the owner of local business Sky Ads who flew signs over protests at the state border against lockdowns, border closure and vaccination policy.

“I am a Richmond local through and through and know the special difficulties we face, being a border community a long way from Sydney,” he said.

“This was brought into sharp focus when Queensland selfishly closed its border to the good folk of Richmond.

“The heartless attitude of those responsible and the spinelessness from our representatives were unforgivable.”

He said he will he would support small business through his campaign.

“I never wanted a political ‘career’ and only reluctantly agreed to run because Richmond has been politically too safe for too long,” he said.

“It’s time we weren’t taken for granted in Richmond.

“It’s time to shake things up. It’s time to regain our liberty.”

Robert Marks, United Australia Party

The United Australia Party Candidate for Richmond is Robert Marks who has been with the party for nine years and run in six elections, five as a party candidate.

Having been self-employed for over 30 years, Mr Marks is no stranger to the challenges every day Australians face.

He believes the government should concentrate on making the country great again and stop interfering in people’s everyday lives.

He says Australia needs a great rediscovery of its values and common sense.

He wants all Australians to share in its wealth and keep the nation’s assets for future generations to enjoy.

Mr Marks believes Australians should be able to make their own decisions free from government interference and it’s the country that needs a shot in the arm and not the people.

“We need big picture leaders running the place instead of career politicians and their big business mates,” Mr Marks said.

Monica Shepherd, Informed Medical Options Party

Informed Medical Options Party candidate for Richmond Monica Shepherd.

Monica Shepherd is a clinical naturopath and mum of one. She is a passionate human rights activist, fearless in supporting freedom of choice and standing up to corruption.

Ms Shepherd grew up in a large family in Queensland, often visiting the Northern Rivers area of NSW where she now lives with her daughter.

She spent her early adulthood working in child care, supporting children’s development in a number of areas and witnessing many health options being implemented successfully by parents of children in her care. This led her to study complementary medicine to become a naturopath.

Ms Shepherd is known in the community for running workshops and webinars on various health topics. She is passionate about bringing health knowledge to lay people, finding effective solutions for everyday household problems, supporting families with fertility, natural birthing and parenting, and seeing people thrive.

Having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder due to family and domestic violence, Ms Shepherd has experienced first-hand what victims go through with police and the court systems. She remains supportive of all women and children and their safety.

Her mission is to represent all Australians who wish to make informed medical choices for themselves and their families and to help them preserve the right to do so.

“We need to protect the rights of our children and their children to come,” she said.

“The freedoms you surrender today are the freedoms your grandchildren will never know existed.

“We cannot just do whatever the TV tells us to do; it is our obligation to do what is right.”

Terry Sharples, Independent

Terry Sharples is running for the seat of Richmond.

Former One Nation Candidate Terry Sharples is running for the seat of Richmond as an independent.

After being disindorsed by the party in 1998 Mr Sharples put claims before the court that Senator Pauline Hanson and co-founder David Ettridge had fraudulently registered the party.

Mr Ettridge and Senator Hanson were later convicted of electoral fraud and sentenced to three years’ jail, but the Court of ­Appeal overturned the convictions months later.

Mr Sharples has previously attempted to run for the seat under the name “Ned Kelly” and has previously taken the Tweed Shire Council to court over a 9.5 per cent rate rise and lost.

Mr Sharples is now a retired accountant.

 

Nathan Jones, Independent

Richmond independent candidate Nathan Jones.

High school teacher and farmer Nathan Jones is running as an independent following an unsuccessful campaign for a seat on the Tweed Shire Council.

Mr Jones’ policies include institutional reform such as political donation reform, a strong federal ICAC (Independent Commission against Corruption), empowering senior public servants’ advice to preside over junior ministerial political staffers and federation reform so more money is spent on frontline service delivery.

He is seeking investment in renewables to meet net zero emissions by 2040, supports all the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission, would like to see investment in public housing, medicare, NDIS, education and defence.

Tracey Bell-Henselin, One Nation

One Nation Candidate Tracey Bell-Henselin describes herself as a having a “heritage of patriot passion running through her veins” growing up in a rural area.

Mrs Bell-Henselin ran for the seat of Fisher as part he Rise Up party in 2016 and again for the seat of Glasshouse in the 2017 Queensland State Election with the One Nation party.

She came under fire at the time for posting homophobic content on her personal Facebook page.

Mrs Bell-Henselin runs the business Women of Worth which helps young people into employment.

She has worked in child protection before becoming the Queensland manager for Destiny Rescue which rescues children trapped in sex trafficking.

She is against the safe school program which she says takes away parents’ authority to raise their children on their core and moral values and supports “traditional marriage”.

David Warth, Independent

Byron film maker David Warth is running as an independent for Richmond.

Mr Warth said he was deeply concerned about the state of our nation and has committed himself to serve the community in these troubled times.

“We are facing major challenges, with so much in transition,” he said.

“I will work in the best interests of our communities to lead the way in creating the future we want to see, for our children, for our small businesses, for our farmers and for our elderly.

“I know that we must stand together now with strong, calm leadership.”

Mr Warth boasts experience in environmental, tourism, agriculture, aged care and the arts. He also has understanding in housing, youth and indigenous affairs.

All candidates have been contacted for comment.