Federal Election 2022: Tweed, Byron, Ballina live updates as Richmond decides

Here’s everything you need to know as Richmond voters head to the polls around Tweed, Byron and Ballina. Rolling coverage, right now.

Labor incumbent Justine Elliot looks set to return to her seat of Richmond.

Mrs Elliot has gained 28.85 per cent of the electorate’s vote (25,917) as of Tuesday, and ABC has called the seat.

Mrs Elliot said she was still waiting on postal votes to make it official but was “very hopeful” to be a “strong Labor voice in a Labor government.”

The last time Mrs Elliot served under as a Labor MP under a Labor government was in 2013, prior to the election of Tony Abbott.

She said she looks forward to working with new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“It feels wonderful to have a Labor government in place and acting in all those important issues,” she said.

“(Anthony Albanese) is outstanding, his speech on Saturday night set the tone for the Prime Minister he will be.”

Her re-election also means funding for North Coast projects like the Murwillumbah animal pound, a Bangalow commercial laundry project and Tweed Heads veteran wellbeing hub.

“What so many locals said to me is they want action on climate change, a Federal ICAC to have transparency, the strengthening of medicare, cheaper childcare,” Mrs Elliot said.

“All these things not done under the last government.”

It was a close race for the marginal seat, with the Greens’ Mandy Nolan getting 24.91 per cent of the vote (22,383) a 4.59 per cent swing in her direction.

The Nationals’ Kimberley Hone gained 24.15 per cent (21,702) a major 12.71 Nationals decrease from previous elections.

Big cheers for Greens hopeful Mandy Nolan as she enters her election party at Brunswick Heads. She is currently taking the early lead.#AusVotes22pic.twitter.com/tdsIule1iy

— Tessa Flemming (@tessa_flemming) May 21, 2022

There are 118,652 voters in the electorate which covers from Tweed in the east to Ballina in the west, and the Tweed Shire, Byron Shire and Ballina Shire Councils.

On election night, Justine Elliot said voter discontentment had been a recurring theme this election.

“They feel neglected by Scott Morrison and that was really highlighted in the floods when he just abandoned our region and people just kept saying that to me,” she said.

Justine Elliot greets supporters at her Tweed office as she awaits the results of the 2022 Federal Election. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Ms Elliot said it was “really too close to call” given the number of postal and pre-poll votes.

“This is always a challenge, it’s always a marginal seat,” she said.

“I’m really keen to be holding this seat, to be part of an Albanese government.”

Greens candidate Mandy Nolan hugs a supporter as the wait begins for Richmond to decide their new Federal MP. Picture: Tessa Flemming

In Brunswick Heads, Greens hopeful Mandy Nolan said it felt “bloody good” to be done with the election campaign and awaiting results.

“I’ve been putting in 16 hour days,” she said.

“If you want to represent your community you have to put the work in.

“I wanted to know there’s nothing I didn’t do … I did everything I could to show I totally respect the support (from the community) they’ve given me.”

Voting for yourself is just as fun as it looks.

Posted by Mandy Nolan - Greens for Richmond on Friday, May 20, 2022

Breaking into tears at times, Ms Nolan said the campaign had taken her breath away.

“This is not a campaign funded by corporate money, this is a campaign funded by belief and people power and that’s what you see here,” she said.

“What we’ve seen around the country and here, and particularly because of what we’ve been through with the devastating loss of the floods, is people want people who are prepared to speak truth to power and they want things done differently.”

Richmond votes on freedom, equality and change

It comes as colourful characters from all walks of life have cast their votes around the North Coast.

In Ballina, polling booths were a drizzly affair for those who got out to vote this afternoon, especially at Xavier Catholic College in West Ballina.

Many of the homes that surrounded the school had front yards littered with building materials or rubbish tips – a sombre reminder of the toll of recent flooding.

Ballina residents on Horizon Drive, a street down from today’s Xavier Catholic College polling booth, were inundated with flood water during the recent floods. Picture: Tessa Flemming.

Residents Jade and Mike Taylor said while they narrowly escaped inundation at home their business had been ‘heavily impacted’.

It was something that would play on their minds as they voted today.

“(It played a role in my vote) in terms of having someone there competent to deal with those kinds of situations,” Mr Taylor said.

Lots of Page signage around the main Ballina CBD polling booth, despite being in the Richmond electorate.
Just another indication of how many Lismore voters could be voting out of town this election due to the recent floods.#Ausvotes#AusPol#Elections2022pic.twitter.com/zkz0ePIFIR

— Tessa Flemming (@tessa_flemming) May 21, 2022

“Someone that doesn’t go away when the s*** hits the fan,” Mrs Taylor added.

“Moving away from what we’ve had and hoping for something better in the future.”

Change was key in the 2022 election, said both Labor and Green volunteers.

“People are generally responding well to changing the government, that’s my feel,” Labor volunteer Helen Matthews said.

“I’m hopeful of change,” Greens volunteer Wendy Neilan said.

No bad blood between Labor volunteers Helen Matthews and Sybil Furnevall and Greens volunteer Wendy Neilan at the West Ballina polling booth, May 21,2022. Picture: Tessa Flemming

And while it was all mostly comradeship between the party volunteers that didn’t stop some drama arising.

Labor volunteers alleged Nationals party volunteers who finished their shift “abandoned” their posters and how-to-vote cards to the elements.

The clean up was left to Greens volunteers, proving the party is more than just talk when it comes to an environmental conscience.

How-to-vote pamphlets for Nationals hopeful Kimberley Hone left out in the rain. Picture: Tessa Flemming

In a demographic that also faced tough economic repercussions from the Queensland-NSW border lockout, voters also took the time to make their thoughts on the pandemic clear.

Resident Suzie Mitchell said “freedom” played first and foremost on her mind.

“I think that the vaccine mandates were the biggest thing because it was just taking away people’s choice and freedoms,” she said.

“I’m a stay-at-home mum who couldn’t return to work because I didn’t want to get vaccinated.

“My child who has had adverse reactions to vaccines is not allowed in daycares.

“That was a big driver in voting for me today.”

Storms and dreadful weather tormented volunteers and voters alike at the Ballina CBD polling booth, May 21, 2022. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Small business owner Nikki Daley said business was a priority for her, after a “very challenging” triple whammy of Covid lockdowns, floods and the rising cost of living.

“With regards to Covid, with regards to staffing in general, in regards to supply of stock,” she said.

“It’s been a very tricky couple of (years).

“(I want someone who is) looking out for little families just trying to support their little families.

“We need to make sure that the people who say they’re going to look out for locals do.”

Wet weather at the West Ballina polling booth, May 21, 2022. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Tweed voters choose ‘Labor all the way’

At Centaur Public School in Banora Point, first-time voter Oscar Bailey said he was putting current Labor MP Justine Elliot first.

“Labor all the way,” he said.

First time voter Oscar Bailey at Centaur Public School Banora Point.

The recent school leaver said education was the most important issue to him.

At the same booth an optimistic Mrs Elliot posted her vote early in the morning with her husband Craig Elliot.

@JElliotMP and husband Craig casting their votes in Banora Point this morning. #Ausvotes#AusPol#Elections2022pic.twitter.com/OQN8K0FwaH

— Liana Walker (@lianawalker_) May 21, 2022

“It’s always a challenge and I take nothing for granted,” she said.

If she is to retain her seat and a Labor government is formed she will be sitting down with Anthony Albanese and the Emergency Services Minister Murray Watt to discuss what is needed in the region in terms of flood recovery.

“We have many people who are still homeless,” she said.

“It’s a terrible situation.”

Down the road Nationals hopeful Kimberly Hone cast her vote at St Joseph’s Banora Point and was still campaigning to individuals as they waited in line to cast their vote.

“I think I’ve done all that I can and met as many people as I can,” she said.

“That’s been the best part of the campaign is meeting locals and hearing what it is that’s on their mind and what they’d like to see different in our community.

“It’s been six very incredibly long weeks.”

Nationals hopeful Kimberly Hone casts her vote at St Joseph’s Banora Point this morning. #auspol#Elections2022#AusVotespic.twitter.com/pFnljvc4VR

— Liana Walker (@lianawalker_) May 21, 2022

She said if elected the first thing she would do would be “listen.”

“I think a change is coming and people really need to see a leader who is there for them and their community,” Mrs Hone said.

Byron Shire wants ‘equality’

Down the M1 in Mullumbimby Greens candidate Mandy Nolan was greeted by several voters telling them they’re putting her first.

This includes local Malcolm Holly.

Malcolm Holly said he was supporting Mandy Nolan because of her belief system.

“I think she’s really intelligent, I just like how she presents herself and her belief system,” he said.

“I think she’s entertaining so she’s going to get people’s attention and she’ll be able to bring attention to important issues.”

He said he had always been very supportive of the Greens party and what they stand for.

Colourful local Roddy showed up to the booth in a patriotic sequined dress with the Australian flag on it, also in support of Ms Nolan.

Mullumbimby local Roddy has dressed colourfully to vote for Mandy Nolan.

“It’s about equality. We need equality in Australia,” he said.

Ms Nolan described the campaign similar to pregnancy – the baby in question, her election win.

Greens candidate for Richmond @mandy_4richmond casts her vote in Mullumbimby this morning. #auspol#elections2020#AusVotes22pic.twitter.com/c0CKHWyexr

— Liana Walker (@lianawalker_) May 21, 2022

“We’ve seen our region absolutely devastated by climate fuelled floods so our region needs that addressed,” she said.

“And we need to see our housing situation changed here.”

She said if elected the first thing she wanted to do was pushing the next government into a moratorium for coal and gas.

“I want to look at what money and funding is coming into this region for housing, to look where housing sites may be around the region,” she said.

“We need to get housing into this region ASAP,” she said.

Choosing to go for a different option, Mullumbimby voter Rob Janson has put David Warth first.

Rob Janson has voted independent in Mullumbimby on May 21.

“I didn’t want to be locked in my home, forced to take a vaccine,” Mr Janson said.

“I’m sorry I have to choose between burning coal and forced vaccination – I won’t support any party that supports mandates, lockdowns or what I call the ‘plandemic treaty’ which I believe is the birth of a global government.

“We need to take an active role in shaping that global government so we don’t end up in surveillance, tyranny.”

He said it was a difficult choice between “human rights” and “protecting the environment.”

Election day: Predictions for seat of Richmond

Thousands of North Coast residents have already marked their ballots as we go into the federal election grand final this Saturday.

Stretching from Tweed Heads down to Ballina and the iconic Byron Bay, all voters must head to the booths and cast their ballot today if they haven’t already.

In the seat of Richmond ten House of Representative hopefuls have thrown their hat in the ring, but predictions suggest it will come down to incumbent Labor MP Justine Elliot, Greens hopeful Mandy Nolan and The National’s Kim Hone.

Former police officer Justine Elliot has held onto the seat for 17 years sitting at a margin of 4.1 per cent at the most recent election.

Comedian and writer Mandy Nolan is hoping to change up the seat and with Greens taking 20.32 per cent of the vote last election she’s in with a chance.

Historically a Nationals seat, Kimberly Hone would like to see the seat return that way, campaigning on policy including getting women back into the workforce and youth mental health. 

Also chasing a seat is Terry Sharples (independent), Nathan Jones (independent), Gary Biggs (Liberal Democrats), Robert Marks (United Australia Party), Monica Shepherd (Informed Medical Options Party), Tracey Bell-Henselin (One Nation) and David Wrath (Independent).

Pre-polling suggests it will be the Greens and the other minor parties that will decide the seat with a tight race for first place.

Federal election 2022 live: How every seat is falling in NSW

Voting is open at booths across the electorate until 6pm – and we’ll update this story through the day and into the evening as the results roll in.

With the highest population the Tweed will be the focus throughout the day but we will be checking in with seats around the electorate before the night celebrations begin.

Almost half of voters have already cast their ballot – a massive 49.7 per cent – by Thursday night when postal voting closed.

Postal votes will come from 12.2 per cent of voters while 37.5 per cent headed to one of the early polling booths around the region.

Although the Greens are hoping to cause a stir in Richmond, it does appear Labor is likely to retain the seat – with Sportsbet putting the odds of Justine Elliot winning at $1.23 and Mandy Nolan at $4.

Although Mrs Elliot has had a long tenure in the seat, Richmond is still considered marginal.

In the previous election Tweed and Ballina booths largely saw Nationals put as the first preference while seats around the Byron Shire strongly voted Greens first.

At the last election in 2019, Mrs Elliot secured 31.71 per cent of the primary vote with then Nationals candidate Matthew Fraser claiming 36.86 per cent.

It was preference votes then Greens candidate and now Byron Shire mayor Michael Lyon that saw Mrs Elliot retain her seat finishing with 54.08 per cent of the vote.

Our journalists will be on the ground throughout the day across the electorate, regularly updating this story.

We’ll be talking with voters and later, as the results roll in, with the candidates.

Although scatters of rain are predicted throughout the region on Saturday, the barbecue game will still be strong.

And it can be expected there will be plenty of vegan democracy dogs around the Northern Rivers.

With Greens hoping to cause a stir, Richmond will be a seat to watch this election.

Stay tuned for more.