Federal Election 2022: Results revealed in Cowper, Page, Richmond

Wrap from Mid-North and North Coast electorates: In Page it was a clear victory for The Nationals but for Cowper and Richmond it is a much tighter race.

In the electorate of Page it was a clear victory for The Nationals but for Cowper and Richmond it is a much tighter race.

On Sunday morning Cowper was still too close to call between Pat Conaghan for The Nationals and Independent Carolyn Heise but by the afternoon many analysts were predicting Conaghan would retain the seat. An initial count was based on a two-party preferred basis between Labor and The Nationals.

To the north in the Richmond electorate it is a close contest between Labor incumbent Justine Elliot and Mandy Nolan for The Greens. On Sunday afternoon Ms Elliot was just in front on a two party preferred basis with 53.9 per cent to Ms Nolan’s 46.1 per cent.

Journalists across the three electorates in the Mid-North and North Coast were out and about chatting with voters and candidates and updating numbers into the night.

Bellingen Cub scouts Ryley Mackay and Rio Dicks serving up the democracy sausages at the Anglican Church polling booth. Picture: Janine Watson

What is clear is that Anthony Albanese will be sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister, with Labor assured either an outright majority government or a minority government with confidence and supply from the Greens.

Nationals keep Page seat as Hogan celebrates in Lismore

Labor contender Patrick Deegan failed to oust a jubilant Nationals MP Kevin Hogan for the hotly contested Page seat.

Along the coast, Page stretches from Sapphire Beach in the south to Nimbin in the north, and inland from Nymboida in the south to the Queensland border. The main towns include Casino, Dunoon, Evans Head, Grafton, Iluka, Kyogle, Lismore, Nimbin, Sapphire Beach and Wooli.

While Hogan faced the wrath of flood affected residents in recent weeks, local dissatisfaction was not enough to ply him for his seat with a slight swing back to the Nationals.

At the Lismore Heights Bowling Club Hogan‘s supporters began celebrating when Hogan announced that Mr Deegan had phoned him to concede the seat to the Nationals.

In a nod to the floods, Hogan spoke about the “massive job” ahead and described the post flood win as “really personal”.

“Besides the things we do in the Federal office, every time we get elected we’re looking out for the community.

“This time, this one is personal. This one is a really personal win because we have a massive job we need to do and as I said in my speech I’ll leave no stone unturned,” he said.

Photo taken on May 15, 2022, shows demolished houses after the recent floods devastation in Lismore. Two months since an unprecedented flood, thousands of residents remain homeless and are struggling to recover. Picture: Patrick Hamilton

Hogan, who faced criticism for the lack of supports for flood affected residents said he was committed to recovery.

For Labor supporters the margin of defeat of Deegan was unexpected.

Lismore local John Remyse said it came as a “complete surprise” that independent Hanabeth Luke is so close to Labor Patrick Deegan.

The Labor rival, Patrick Deegan congratulated Hogan on retaining the seat of Page.

“It was clear throughout the pre-poll period and again today that Kevin has built a very strong personal brand in the region,” Deegan said.

“While many people were unhappy with the Morrison Government, the people of Northern NSW have given Kevin strong endorsement to continue as their representative.”

Richmond a close race

On election night it was still too close to call for the electorate of Richmond which stretches from Tweed Heads in the north down to Ballina.

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

In the seat of Richmond ten hopefuls threw their hat in the ring, with predictions suggesting it would come down to incumbent Labor MP Justine Elliot, Greens hopeful Mandy Nolan and The National’s Kim Hone.

After weeks of campaigning, it is time to wait for Richmond to vote and Labor candidate Justine Elliott is hopeful. Picture: Tessa Flemming

On Sunday morning it was still too close for the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to call with a total of 67,260 first preferences counted.

Mandy Nolan for The Greens had 17,941 first preference votes (28.53 per cent) slightly in front of incumbent Ms Elliot with 17,350 (27.59 per cent).

The next on the list was Kimberly Hone for The Nationals on 13,557 votes (21.56 per cent).

Cowper too close to call

Early counts show Pat Conaghan potentially taking back Cowper for The Nationals; but the strong support for independent candidate Carolyn Heise reflects the nation’s appetite for change.

On the morning after election night, the seat was still too close to call.

Independent candidate for Cowper Carolyn Heise talking with voters in Bellingen on election day. Picture: Janine Watson

An initial count was based on a two-party preferred basis between Labor and The Nationals but now, analysts are saying it could take days for a clear result as preferences are looked at more closely.

In the early hours of Sunday morning the Australian Electoral Council tally room was showing a total of 100,908 first preference votes counted in Cowper so far.

Pat Conaghan was ahead with 38,863 votes (40.35 per cent) followed by Carolyn Heise on 25,800 (26.79 per cent).

Next was Labor’s Keith McMullen 13,234 (13.74 per cent); Pauline Hanson‘s One Nation candidate Faye Aspiotis on 7,567 (7.86 per cent); and Timothy Nott for The Greens with 4,922 (5.11 per cent).