Australia decides: Meet the candidates vying for Eden-Monaro this election
From a former navy servicemen to a local mayor-come-bushfire veteran, the field of candidates vying the seat of Eden-Monaro are as diverse as the electorate itself. Meet the candidates here.
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The 2022 Federal Election campaign is well underway in the Eden-Monaro, with candidates gearing up for a tough race for the bellwether seat.
Incumbent Labor member and former Bega mayor, Kristy McBain clinched the geographically diverse seat in 2020 with a margin of less than one per cent.
She will square off with a diverse range of new and old candidates in the forthcoming election, from former navy servicemen to ex-ALP members.
After some delay, the Liberal party announced its candidate for Eden-Monaro on April 3. Former navy seaman and Pharmacy Guild of Australia executive Dr Jerry Nockles will challenge Ms McBain for seat of Eden-Monaro in coming weeks.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party candidate Gerard Nicol dropped out of the race on Friday after his disparaging comments about women emerged on social media.
Meet the full list of candidates here:
Kristy McBain – Labor
Incumbent member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain will be on the ballot sheet this year after clinching victory in 2020 with a winning margin of less than one per cent.
Ms McBain prides herself as an Eden-Monaro local and previously served as Bega Valley Shire mayor during the Black Summer bushfires.
“I am an Eden-Monaro local. I grew up in the electorate, went to Eden Marine High School where I met my husband and now I am raising my own family and running a small business here like my parents did before me,” Ms McBain said.
“I was the first person in my family to go to university and strongly believe that education is the great equaliser. I am a lawyer and former councillor and Mayor of the Bega Valley and most importantly I am a mother to three beautiful kids.”
Ms McBain said she had always been in politics, and became politically aware during the Howards years.
“I first ran in a local government election in 2012 as there was a decision made about a playground and the councillors at the time didn’t represent my age demographic,” she said.
“I was on maternity leave with my second child at the time, but I knew I wanted something to change. So I thought ‘I’m going to have a go at this’. I haven’t looked back since.”
Ms McBain takes the view that all politics are local, and said she spends significant time with people, volunteer groups, sporting clubs, as well as businesses and industry groups in the region.
“It is important to have local people with lived experience of the area in parliament and I take this representation seriously,” she said.
“Since being elected, I have always put our communities ahead of politics and will continue to work with everyone, from all levels and sides of politics to build a better future for people in Eden-Monaro.”
A number of issues will be on the mind’s of voters come election day, Ms McBain believes, but, chief among them is the rising cost of living.
“The cost of living is skyrocketing, there are not enough affordable houses and locals are being priced out of the market,” she said.
“ Access to health care, aged care and childcare are all of huge concern to people in Eden-Monaro. And while two years have passed since the Black Summer Bushfires bushfire recovery, in particular mitigation and resilience, is still so important right across the electorate.
“We need to be focused on preparing for the next disaster and that means significant investment in resilience and mitigation works. Labor will commit $200 million a year to disaster preparation because if we aren’t properly prepared we’ve already lost.”
In recent years, it has been clear that the current government has neglected aged care, Ms McBain believes.
“This is resulting in aged care facilities closing in our region and people not receiving the care they deserve. Older Australians helped build this country. They worked hard, paid their taxes and raised their families,” she said.
“They rightly expected that the Federal Government would support them in their frailer years. That’s what they deserve, that’s what they’ve earned, after a life contributing to their communities and to Australia.
“I am proud that Labor will take practical measures to fix the aged care crisis. This includes registered nurses on site 24/7, mandating more carers with more time to care for residents, a pay rise for aged care workers, better food for residents and more accountability and integrity in aged care providers.”
Across Eden-Monaro, Mc McBain said hospitals are under enormous pressure and suffering from a shortage of GPs.
“This means it is harder to see a doctor and when you do get an appointment, people are paying more. I am proud that Labor secured a Senate Inquiry in the GP shortages across regional Australia and I am committed to finding solutions to this shortage,” she said.
“If people can’t get in to see a GP then they are more likely to present at a hospital emergency department. It is only through fixing primary care that we will take the pressure off our hospitals.
“It is also getting harder for families to pay for child care. Fees have increased around 41 per cent over the past nine years. Labor’s plan means 96 per cent of families will be better off – that’s 1.26 million families and importantly no family will be worse off. Child care is good for kids, it’s good for families and it’s good for our economy.”
As for the numerous natural disasters that have struck the region in recent years, Ms McBain restated the need for serious disaster mitigation.
“We need to be focusing on disaster mitigation and resilience and we need to be listening to our communities. Communities across Eden-Monaro know what went wrong last time and they know what they need done to ensure they are ready for the next disaster,” she said.
“Our communities also deserve a government that plans ahead and invests to keep them safe. We know more frequent and extreme weather events are on the horizon – we have the smarts and the resources to be better prepared. We just need a government with a plan.
“Labor will improve Australia’s disaster readiness by investing up to $200 million per year on disaster prevention and resilience.
“The Disaster Ready Fund will kerb the devastating impacts of natural disasters by investing in important disaster prevention projects like flood levees, sea walls, cyclone shelters, evacuation centres, fire breaks and telecommunications improvements.”
As for rising housing stress, Ms McBain said there was no denying the situation was at a crisis point.
“In Eden, property prices rose by 30 per cent over the last year. Across the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area, properties have more than doubled in the last five years,” she said.
“But the lack of affordable housing and constantly rising rent and housing costs is being felt right across the electorate.”
Ms McBain said all levels of government need to come to the table to address the housing crisis.
“We need local government to consider it from a planning perspective, we need the NSW Government to play their part and we need the Federal Government to provide the financial incentive to get things moving,” she said.
“We need to build more social housing, upgrade existing housing, and make sure that the promise of home ownership is extended to all Australians.
“Every Australian should know the security of having a roof over their head.”
In infrastructure challenges in the region, Ms McBain said she would take a methodical approach.
“Since being elected I have sat on the Regional Australia Committee which just released its first report. On this committee, I pushed really hard to ensure that the recommendations included the need for a regional development plan centred around infrastructure needs in roads, rail, ports, airports, telecommunications and internet connectivity and soft infrastructure,” she said.
“We need to have plans in place so that private investment can also leverage off this and people can be assured that upgrades are being thought about and acted upon. We can’t keep having infrastructure upgrades based on election cycles. There needs to be a long-term vision and plan for regional Australia to ensure people aren’t left behind.”
Ms McBain lives in Tura Beach on the Sapphire Coast, but said she spends a significant amount of my time driving around the electorate.
“Eden-Monaro is a really special part of the world and I know I’m biased but I truly believe we live in the best part of Australia,” she said.
“I have had 20 months in this job and have travelled the over 90,000km to hear from locals about their needs and their concerns. Over the last 10 years this government has failed to listen to people who know their areas the best and failed to deliver meaningful change to our lives.
“We have some big issues ahead of us and we need a government focused on dealing with them rather than focusing on themselves. The federal election coming has to be more than just slogans, it has to be about real plans for our future. I hope to be part of a government following the next election so that we can get on and start addressing the needs of real people.
“We have everything you could want to experience right here on our doorstep, from pristine beaches to vast countryside, the incredible Snowy Mountains and the city benefits of Queanbeyan. But on top of the incredible landscapes, it’s the people and the communities that make this place so special.”
Dr Jerry Nockles – Liberal
Born into public housing on the outskirts of Bathurst, Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro, Dr Jeffery Nockles’ journey to politics has taken him from the navy to the NGO field.
Dr Nockles said he was orphaned at the age of 16 and was unable to finish high school, but strove for may years to complete his education through night-school while serving in the navy as an enlisted man.
“I now hold a Doctorate in International Relations, have held senior positions within government and the United Nations, and executive positions with NGOs and other organisations,” Dr Nockles said.
“My experience taught me many things. I learned that when life is tough, hard work and dedication can help build resilience and lead to a better future – that’s the Australia I believe in.
“I learned the value of work and education and the necessity of bettering myself in order to provide a better life for my children.”
Dr Nockles believe this year’s federal election is the most important in generations, and locally in the Eden-Monaro, people face a choice with significant consequences.
“This is a choice between a government that is building a strong economy and a stronger future, and a Labor Party that would weaken our economy,” Dr Nockels said.
“Between a government with a plan to responsibly relieve cost of living pressures, create more jobs, guarantee the essential services and keep Australians safe and a Labor Party that cannot manage money.”
Dr Nockles said the region was facing more extreme events due to a “changing climate”, and that there was a need for the Eden-Monaro to be prepared.
“The Morrison Government stood up the National Recovery and Resilience Agency to help support local communities respond to large-scale natural disasters and undertake new initiatives to manage the impact of future events and the changing climate,” Dr Nockles said.
“We also need to ensure at a local level we’re delivering on mitigation measures, for flood and bushfire, empowering residents and local communities to make decisions that are in their best interest – to protect properties and livelihoods and to save lives.”
As for housing stress, Dr Nockles said the Morrison Government was helping thousands more Australians achieve home ownership, and supporting thousands of jobs in the construction industry.
“Since 2019, the Morrison Government has supported more than 300,000 Australians purchase their home,” Dr Nockles said.
“This was supported by initiatives like HomeBuilder, the First Home Super Saver Scheme and the Home Guarantee Scheme.
“In the 2022 Budget, the Morrison Government is more than doubling the Home Guarantee Scheme to 50,000 places. We’ve also expanded voluntary contributions to save for a home deposit under the First Home Super Saver Scheme from $30,000 to $50,000.
“This enables first home buyers to save more quickly and build a larger deposit, with concessional tax rates.”
When it came to infrastructure, Dr Nockles said ensuring a strong economy is critical to having the ability to invest in infrastructure.
“That way locals can enjoy safer and shorter journeys, and businesses can operate with lower costs,” he said.
“We are upgrading key regional roads through the Roads of Strategic Importance Initiative. We’re also delivering Roads to Recovery, Black Spot, Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity, and Bridges Renewal.”
Dr Nockles’ message to voters on election day is for voters to think about the consequences of this year’s election on the future of Australia.
“I know the importance of creating strong local communities to support families and businesses and create opportunities and jobs. That’s why I’m standing to be our local voice in Canberra,” he said.
“We live in an amazing region, filled with awe-inspiring beauty, which is really special to me – from the Sapphire Coast to the Kosciuszko National Park, where I love taking the kids bushwalking, or the fond memories I have of my wife and I taking on the Australian Alps Walking Track many years ago.
“People’s vote here in Eden-Monaro is very important – Australia has a choice. This election provides a clear choice, with real consequences for Australia.”
Vivian Harris – Greens
As the Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro, Vivian Harris has worn many hats, from being a teacher and a Wholefoods cooperative worker, to holding qualifications in veterinary and environmental sciences.
Ms Harris has lived in the Bega Valley for the past four years and said that as a long-time climate activist, she knows that political solutions are needed to solved the climate crisis.
“Immediate implementation of proven solutions to the climate crisis will be a primary campaign focus,” she said.
“For decades science has warned of the increasing intensity of weather events. Failure by successive LNP and ALP governments to act on these warnings means we are now living in the era of climate catastrophe.
“The 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires in Eden Monaro, rising food prices, extreme heatwaves and storms and the current disastrous flooding in NSW are tastes of what is to come if we don’t act on the science immediately and decisively.”
The Greens climate policies include net zero by 2035 or sooner, Ms Harris said, and Australia needs to play a leadership role in multilateral negotiations for global carbon emissions reduction.
“Unlike both major parties, The Greens do not take corporate donations from the fossil fuel industry so our policies properly address the climate crisis and our failing ecological life support systems,” she said.
Ms Harris said she is also extremely concerned that many Australians are being left behind financially.
“I have lived in low socio-economic areas for most of my life and lived on Jobseeker, so I know the anxiety of rising rents and bills,” she said.
“The Greens and I will fight for a fairer future based on caring for the environment and people. For far too long government policies have benefited billionaires and corporations instead of ordinary Australians.
“The Greens policies for a jobs guarantee, affordable housing, quality free education and health, sustainable infrastructure and manufacturing will ensure that everyone can live in dignity and have meaningful work.”
Housing stress has been occurring in Eden Monaro prior to Covid and was worsened by the loss of hundreds of homes in the Black Summer Fires, Ms Harris said.
The Greens plan to build one million homes over the next 10 years using a six per cent tax on Australia’s 122 billionaires.
“They will also strengthen renters rights and remove negative gearing from second investment properties because houses are homes rather than investments,” Ms Harris said
Another area of focus for Ms Harris and the Greens is electric vehicles.
“Australia has been left behind on electric vehicles. The Greens Electric Vehicle policy will help you buy your first electric vehicle, kickstart local electric vehicle manufacturing, legislate tough vehicle pollution standards so we have cleaner air in our communities and build a $2 billion publicly owned EV fast charging network,” she said.
“Another important focus is a treaty with First Nations Australians and support for those suffering the intergenerational trauma of dispossession.
“The Uluru Statement from the Heart generously offers Australia a unique way forward to a prosperous future for all. I really want to see it accepted immediately and without reservation”
Ms Harris said she wants to see The Greens in balance of power in the Lower House and Senate.
“That is the only way we will see meaningful action,” she said.
Toni McLennan – Informed Medical Options Party
Former public servant and small business owner, Toni McLennan is the Informed Medical Options Party candidate for the seat of Eden-Monaro.
Ms McLennan said she has been a proud resident on Queanbeyan for decades and was a member of the Queanbeyan Council’s Heritage Committee.
With three university degrees, including a Graduate Diploma of Law, Ms McLennan held senior public affairs positions in federal government departments and managed a number of high profile federal government public relations programs, including the Healthy Active Ambassador Program and the Ambassador for Ageing Program.
“I have owned a number of small businesses, including two cafes, and I currently own a gift shop which is located at the Jamison Plaza in Canberra,” Ms McLennan said.
“In 2007, after resigning from the ALP in disgust because of the way they treated me as a hard working member, I created my own political party, called Hear Our Voice, and I ran for the federal Senate.
“I was not successful but the experience gave me a comprehensive insight into why independents and micro political parties rarely get elected to parliament in Australia.”
Ms McLennan said there was a need to change the system because there were many Australians who would make good politicians, but because of the way the major parties have shaped the process it makes it very difficult for anyone other than major party candidates to get elected.
“In 2012 I was elected to Queanbeyan Council and served one term. I decided not to run again because I wanted to concentrate on my small business,” she said.
“A few years ago I founded a not-for-profit, called Hear Our Voice, which is dedicated to promoting equal representation of women in our parliaments.
Ms McLennan said from a rom a young age she had fought injustice.
“At school I stood up to bullies and I would try and protect those who were bullied. This lifelong sense of justice has guided me toward politics and I have always wanted to expose corruption, fight injustice and protect the vulnerable,” she said.
“This strong sense of justice has influenced my approach to politics, which is to always act in the best interests of the people, and to expose those who abuse the system and take advantage of others.”
Ms McLennan said some of the biggest issues facing voters at the coming federal election are health, climate change, rising cost of living, and uncertainty about the Russia / Ukraine conflict.
“As an IMOP candidate, I am concerned about the government’s responses to Covid, particularly in regard to the lack of informed consent, lock downs and mandates,” she said.
“As a small-business owner I have been negatively affected by the lock downs and mandates, and many small businesses around the country have closed down because of measures that were harmful to our economy and our small business sector.
“Even now that restrictions have been eased to some extent, small businesses are still struggling and people are not spending because they are concerned about what is happening in Australia and around the world.
“If elected I would hold the government accountable for any action that had a negative impact on the economy, the business sector and the health of Australians. I would encourage the government to stop with the negative talk, which makes Australians fearful and undermines the economy because people stop spending.
“I would encourage a dialogue with Australians that was positive and based on hope for the future. We have to encourage spending so the economy doesn‘t stagnate, businesses don’t collapse and unemployment doesn’t rise.”
Ms McLennan said one of her own businesses was lost during the Black Summer fires when firestorms tore through Mogo.
“It was a very difficult and terrifying time for people in the south coast region, and many people lost their homes and businesses.
“People of the south coast region rose up and supported one another during a very difficult weather event that went on for weeks, and after that terrible day, when Mogo shops were burning down and homes in the area were on fire, the community came together and helped those in need by providing food, shelter and necessities.
“What was learned from those catastrophic bushfires was what worked and what didn’t work during the immediate support and then recovery phases. In the future if another catastrophe of such magnitude happens we can use that knowledge acquired during the 2019 bushfire event to respond in ways that are more effective and helpful to the communities affected.”
As for housing, Ms McLennan said experts had been warning for years that housing inequality and intergenerational poverty was increasing in Australia, and that urgent action is needed to mitigate the “Covid-led” crisis in housing.
“Australia has not had a national housing strategy since World War II, and what is needed is a national housing policy that involves all levels of government,” she said.
“If I am elected I would push for a national strategy that tackles housing affordability in this country. This is not an easy fix because many Australians have generated their wealth from housing, but I think it‘s important we explore the impact of setting limits around these investments.
“I would encourage the government to investigate the impact of limiting how many properties any one person can own, because this could help keep house prices lower and could take the pressure off rental shortages.
“I would also like to see less red tape in regard to land release processes, particularly in rural and regional areas. Opening up land so new homes could be built would stimulate growth in rural areas and it may even encourage people from urban areas to move to rural and regional Australia. Another way to help housing affordability is for governments to reduce stamp duty.
For areas affected by weather disasters and the Covid measures, Ms McLennan said the government should look at rental reform and possibly long term rental relief which would help many Australians struggling to meet their rental responsibilities.
“If the government implemented policy that made home ownership more affordable then it would help reduce housing shortages because some renters would then be able to afford to buy a home,” she said.
Growing transport and infrastructure needs in rural and regional areas present more challenges for communities in these regions, Ms McLennan said.
“There are often difficulties in obtaining funding and there is a lack of access to transport services, compared to urban areas, which disadvantage people living in rural and regional areas.
“Governments and local councils should be working on strategies that better improve transportation services in rural and regional areas.
“In urban areas the way people access transport services has dramatically changed, especially with the introduction of Uber, but for rural communities it‘s a different story.
“When it comes to improving public transport in rural areas I think there should be flexibility in whatever system is in place.
Ms McLennan said governments should be investing in transport systems that meet the needs of people in rural areas because it would not only reduce the number of cars on the road which would decrease the costs of road repairs, but it would also reduce car emissions and fuel consumption.
“If I were elected I would lobby federal, state and local governments to address the growing infrastructure and transport needs of people living in the Eden Monaro electorate, and I would continue lobbying until the needs of people in this electorate were taken seriously,” she said.
Ms McLennan’s message to voters on election day is: “to not waste their vote on the major parties”.
“During Covid we saw our federal and state governments deliberately divide a nation by encouraging people who were vaccinated to condemn Australians who were hesitant to take the experimental vaccines,” she said.
“We saw our federal and state leaders coerce people into taking experimental vaccines even though there is no long term safety data available. We saw our federal and state leaders coerce people into taking experimental vaccines without providing Australians with any information about adverse reactions, which is not informed consent. We saw our federal and state leaders coerce people into taking experimental vaccines or they lose their jobs and freedoms.
“We saw our federal and state leaders lock down healthy people, which has never been done before, and these lock downs did not stop the spread of the virus, but they did destroy many small businesses in this country.
Ms McLennan said she wanted voters to understand that if they are tired of politicians who do not act in their best interests then they shouldn’t vote for the major parties.
“There is a better way and if I get elected I will work very hard to be part of the change we desperately need in our political landscape.
“Eden Monaro has been neglected over and over again and it‘s time for voters to say no more to popular politics, short term policy, and egocentric politicians.
“It is a large and diverse electorate with so much going for it. The electorate is made up of coastal areas, farming land, Snowy Mountains and vibrant country towns, and it‘s diversity is what makes it a great electorate to live in.”
Darren Garnon – United Australia Party
Darren Garron is Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party candidate for the seat on Eden-Monaro in the 2022 Federal Election.
According to the United Australia Party website, Mr Garron has coached young men’s soccer teams and volunteered as a life saver, while also being involved in club administration at various capacities.
Mr Garron was instrumental as a mentor with the Men Mentoring Men (MMM) program and in its forming as an independent corporation, now known as Menslink, according to the website.
The program is a support network that puts men in contact with young men who have no leadership from a father figure in their life, an endeavour he found very rewarding.
For the last five years, Mr Garron has volunteered his time to the local motorsport club for race meets in which he is the race lap counter, according to the website, and is the principal and CEO of an industrial lubrication manufacturing business he founded in 1997.
The business started from modest beginnings to now employing a number of local residents in two locations, the site also states.
Mr Garron believes his grounding in business has provided him with the experience and opportunity to be able to commit to his beliefs in a fair go for all Australians.
“I believe all Australians are shareholders in the common wealth of our country and its time there is a return to our fundamental principles of Australia putting Australians first,” he said.
“Australian politics must be about our values and our sovereignty as a nation. The outcomes must benefit all Australians, not just a few. Everyone must be able to live a free life where individual freedoms are protected.
“I am running as a candidate for the United Australia Party not because I want to play politics, but because I believe the UAP is a serious alternative to the major parties that have failed Australians again and again. I wholeheartedly believe the Australian people deserve better.
“We need to have a viable alternative rather than the two-party system that has shown itself to be letting all Australians down, highlighted over the past two years,” he said.
Andrew Thaler – Independent
Independent candidate Andrew Thaler will contest the seat of Eden-Monaro after a failed leadership runs in the 2019 NSW state elections and the 2022 Monaro state by-election.
The Cooma scrap metal recycler said while it can be difficult to be heard as a single voice in state parliament, it can also be a position of power.
“Very often it is the independents who force the government to act on the community’s wishes, as the balance of power between the major parties means there is room for leverage and negotiation,” according to Mr Thaler’s website.
“Also, because of the grassroots nature of independents, they are able to bring issues to the attention of the parliament, which may not have been acknowledged before.”
While he plans to run again in 2022, Mr Thaler is critical of his previous run at leadership.
His website states: “Just completely wasted my time in the State seat of Monaro – NSW state election 2019 – where I couldn’t even beat the Animal Justice Party who are campaigning to ban pets, to ban farming animals, ban meat, ban eggs, to ban bacon.
“Seriously, the election result is completely embarrassing – two per cent (around 1000 people out of 57,000 in Monaro).
“Believe the rumours people, they are more fun than the facts.”
Mr Thaler’s website states his missions is to listen to individuals and groups within Eden Monaro, to always advocate for the community, and to push to achieve a sustainable, well planned and economically viable electorate.
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