Nicole Arrowsmith: Independent candidate announces run against LNP’s Angie Bell in Moncrieff at 2025 federal election

The push by well-funded independent candidates to unseat LNP candidates at the federal election is ramping up, with the Opposition now facing a fight in one of its safest seats.

The push by well-funded independent candidates to unseat LNP candidates at the federal election is ramping up, with the Opposition now facing a fight in one of its safest seats.

The Voices of Moncrieff group has unveiled experienced business manager Nicole Arrowsmith as its candidate to take on long-time incumbent Angie Bell at the poll, which must be held by May.

The grassroots community organisation is hoping the Miami resident can emulate the feats of giant-killing Teal independents elsewhere in Australia and unseat Ms Bell.

The 41-year-old mother, who had a long career in the private sector before joining Queensland Rail, launched her campaign on Sunday and said she wanted to focus on solving issues of development and housing.

Nicole Arrowsmith has been picked as the independent candidate in Moncrieff at the upcoming federal election. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We’re not getting our fair share of funding here and we haven’t been for a really long time because we are such a safe seat,” she said.

“Our council is doing all the heavy lifting, delivering major projects that should have had both state and federal support.

“We need community-led solutions and expert contribution to our big issues, we are facing challenges that shouldn’t have got as bad as they have, especially housing and cost of living. I know everyone is talking about this, but on the Gold Coast we are facing one of the worst crises for housing affordability.

“I’ve been here for long enough to understand that ‘cranes in the sky equals jobs’ but we need to get a balance with the right type of developments, where working families have homes and young people and renters can get into the market.”

Angie Bell. Picture, Portia Large.

Defeating the incumbent will be a tall order with Moncrieff one of the LNP’s safest seats. It is currently held by Ms Bell on an 11.2 per cent margin.

Moncrieff has been held by the conservatives since its creation in 1984, with just three MPs representing it in the past 41 years. Ms Bell has been the MP since 2019.

Ms Bell was approached for comment by the Bulletin but was unable to respond by deadline.

Ms Arrowsmith said she offered a different style of representation than either major party.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think our current elected officials are doing their best, but the reality is they are hamstrung by party politics and that’s where local community led representation can cut through,” she said.

Marathon runner Erchana Murray-Bartlett is running in McPherson. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I’m not a career politician – I’m a working professional who will step up and tackle our unique challenges. As a community independent I’m backed by a movement of locals determined to put people over party politics.

“This is a new way of doing politics where everyone has a say and together, we can collaborate and build the future we choose.

“I don’t have policy advisers, and I don’t serve lobbyists but what I do have is community and experts and that’s what makes this different.”

Ms Arrowsmith is the second prominent independent candidate to be selected to try and take a seat from the LNP on the Gold Coast.

In late 2024 Burleigh resident Erchana Murray-Bartlett was chosen to stand in the Federal election for the grassroots McPherson independent group.

She will take on new LNP candidate Leon Rebello in the southern Gold Coast seat, which is being vacated by the retirement of Karen Andrews.