Federal election 2022: Candidate guide, Page electorate voting

With the federal election date set, here is an in-depth candidate guide for the Page electorate which covers the main town centres of Lismore and Grafton.

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

When is the federal election?

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

Is voting compulsory?

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

What areas does Page cover?

Page covers an area from the New South Wales/ Queensland border in the north through to Coffs Harbour in the South.

It includes the local government areas of Kyogle, Lismore Clarence Valley and Richmond valley.

The main towns include Lismore, Kyogle, Grafton, Maclean, Evans Head and Casino.

The seat was created before the 1984 election and has been considered a bellwether seat since that time with members from only the Labor and National Party holding the seat.

The seat has changed hands four times with current Nationals member Kevin Hogan holding the seat since 2013.

At the last election Mr Hogan turned the electorate into a safe seat for the Nationals with a 9.5 per cent margin in 2019.

Who are the candidates?

Kevin Hogan, Nationals

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan runs a cattle property near Lismore after working previously in the finance and education sectors.

The current federal member for Page, Kevin Hogan will run again for the Nationals in 2022.

“I’m committed to lowering the cost of living, maintaining our world leading economy and the building back from the recent floods,” Mr Hogan said.

“The natural disaster has devastated our community. I am committed to getting us back – back in our homes, and back in our businesses.

“I have announced $200 million for flood mitigation works for the whole catchment. This will be based on modelling done by the CSIRO. I have also announced almost $2 billion in financial and housing assistance. This includes grants for families, businesses and farmers,”

Mr Hogan is proud to be born and bred in regional Australia, lives on a cattle property near Lismore with his wife and children with an education and finance background.

“Having a strong economy will determine the country we live in for the next 10 years. It means we can pay for all the services we rely on – health, education, aged care, defence.

“Our unemployment rate has fallen from 7.5% to 4% – the lowest rate in over 40 years.

“More people have jobs, and more businesses are confident about their future. We have a temporary and targeted cost of living package.

“For the next six months, fuel excise will be cut in half, saving Australians 22 cents a litre. A one-off $420 Cost of Living Tax Offset will help over 10 million low-and-middle income earners and pensioners and other concession card holders will get a one-off $250 Cost of Living Payment.”

While Mr Hogan works to roll out flood recovery assistance in Page, he supports the broader Nationals’ plan of strengthening the economy, reducing cost of living pressures, investing in regional infrastructure and manufacturing and building a better health system for regional Australia.

Patrick Deegan, Labor

After leaving school at 16, Patrick enrolled in TAFE while working part-time. He was able to secure a traineeship with the local council and eventually go to university, while continuing in casual employment.

Patrick went on to complete a degree at Southern Cross University and worked as a social welfare professional.

He has since provided a helping hand to some of the most disadvantaged communities and people across northern NSW.

Following the devastating floods of February and March this year, Northern NSW desperately needs people like Patrick, who understand the needs of local people, representing it in Federal parliament.

Donna Pike, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party

Donna Pike

Donna Pike, representing Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party stepped up this year to “fight for people’s rights and their freedom”.

“We have problems from one end of the scale to the other so where do we start fighting?” she said.

She listed concerns ranging from genetically modified food to “the one world order problem”.

When asked to elaborate on “the one world order problem”.

“I don’t think anyone wants their government to be superseded by a higher order,” she replied.

Ms Pike claims our rights are being eroded away listing our freedom, our bodies, our rights to keep our jobs, rights to farm and own land as at risk examples.

Ms Pike wants the government to be able to distribute funds to people affected by floods and fires.

“When it comes to elections money flies out like confetti,” she said.

“But there are all these flood and fire affected people and where are the politician’s money then?

“If you keep doing the same thing Australia you’ll keep getting the same result. If you want change make it happen at the ballot.”

Kashmir Miller, Greens

Greens’ candidate for Page, Kashmir Miller is a law student focusing on environmental law, politics and governance.

She is dedicated to the ethics and values of the Greens and joined the party at 12.

Addressing diversity by elevating young voices, women and LGBTQI+ voices is part of her aim for the federal election and beyond.

Based in Lismore she recently ran for the Lismore Council and has seen the suffering Lismore and greater Page residents have endured during the floods.

“Never has a shift in government been more critical then at this very moment,” Ms Miller said.

“Over the past months I have seen the community I grew up in suffer at the hands of a catastrophic climate disaster.

“Without strong action to get to net zero emissions by 2030, events like this can only get worse.

“I am standing for Page with the Greens because we support continuous community consultation around flood mitigation and adaptation that incorporates affordable housing strategies and affordable rental properties, mental health considerations and a transition to renewable energy to combat climate change.”

Ms Miller said that parliaments across this country lack diversity and need fresh voices in the chambers of power.

“I am a young and enthusiastic rural woman who can become part of a truly representative democracy,” Ms Miller said.

The Greens’ platform includes a Treaty with First Nations people, adding dental and mental healthcare to Medicare, removing student debt and affordable housing.

Ian Williamson, United Australia Party

Ian Williamson’s political aspirations developed over the last three years as a response to experiencing the loss and destruction caused by disasters.

That eyewitnessing informs his commitment to improve regional NSW’s resilience.

He is currently in a role with Transport for NSW as Co-ordinator for the Disaster Recovery.

His varied career began in trades then moving on to join Fire and Rescue NSW at Grafton in 2008.

He moved from Retained firefighter up the ranks to Deputy Captain of Coffs Harbour Station.

At the same time he was a seasonal firefighter with Forestry Corporation.

Ian and his family have been in the region, specifically Grafton, since 1999.

Dr Hanabeth Luke, independent

Federal candidate for Page Dr Hanabeth Luke.

Dr Hanabeth Luke is a passionate educator who has been teaching and conducting research in Southern Cross University’s Faculty of science and Engineering since 2011. She is deeply motivated by helping regional communities and farmers to become more resilient in times of transition, bringing communities to science, and vice versa. These understandings underpin her role as Co-ordinator for the new Southern Cross University course in Regenerative Agriculture.

“I’m a scientist, teacher and volunteer, raising my children in Evans Head,” Dr Luke said.

“As your community independent, I will fight for affordable housing and climate action that supports our primary industries, and I believe it is high time we had a federal integrity commission with teeth.”

Brett Duroux, Indigenous Aboriginal Party

Brett Duroux is running as a candidate for the Indigenous Australia Party and works at the Grafton Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council.

A local, he graduated from Grafton High School and has lived in the electorate his whole life.

The Indigenous Aboriginal Party are running on a policy platform dedicated to advancing the interests of first nations people, treaty and constitutional recognition, more resources to address youth suicide and championing equality buttressed by a suite of social policies.

Mr Duroux will be placing great focus on policies that address injustice for Indigenous youth including fighting for an end to indigenous incarceration and juvenile detention.

The party is dedicated to ensuring Aboriginal Land Councils and elders are involved in discussions for policies that affect their communities including supporting Indigenous businesses, sacred sites and school education.

Serge Killingbeck, TNL

Serge Killingbeck is The New Liberal's candidate for the federal electorate of Page.

Serge Killingbeck is running for The New Liberals (TNL) in Page on a “liberally minded, socially progressive” platform.

He has called the Northern Rivers home for the best part of 40 years and has worked as a solicitor, SES volunteer and marine conservation campaigner with the Cape Byron Marine Park.

A self-described “jack-of-all-trades” Mr Killingbeck is placing flood recovery and community prosperity at the heart of his pitch and taking the heat off the idea that it’s all about the economy.

“We (TNL) are people orientated, there’s an idea that it’s all about the economy, it’s not, it’s also about looking after the community,” he said.

“True wealth is what we leave our kids, prosperity isn’t numbers and dollars.

“I can talk to people in their language. Right now in Page, we need local people who are willing to put their neck out for the local area to deal with what’s happened because climate change is here.

“What needs to be done is make sure when it happens again we are ready for it”.