Sitting MP Phillip Thompson claims number one spot on ballot paper for Herbert

Last minute candidates for One Nation and the Trumpet of Patriots were announced at the Herbert electoral ballot draw on Friday, with the only candidate that appeared to be in attendance claiming the number one position.

Federal MP Phillip Thompson takes out the number one spot in the 2025 Federal Election ballot for Herbert.

Last minute candidates for One Nation and the Trumpet of Patriots were announced at the Herbert electoral ballot draw on Friday, with the only candidate that appeared to be in attendance claiming the number one position.

Martin Brewster was named as the late contender Herbert candidate for Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots, with Ross MacDonald also named as the candidate standing for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

The draw saw Mr Thompson claim the number one spot, followed by Martin Brewster, Felicity Cole, Edwina Andrew, Chris Evans, Felicity Roser, Ross Macdonald and Darryn Casson rounding out the eighth spot.

The KAP have also announced a last minute candidate for Herbert in Darryn Casson, a senior associate at Salt Legal in Townsville.

Mr Casson has a more than 30 years experience in the justice system, working as a police officer in Victoria before becoming a prosecutor in Queensland where has worked in Townsville for the last 22 years.

He made headlines in 2022, for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the police staff policy on religious grounds.

Mr Casson also served as the police prosecutor during former mayor Jenny Hill’s court case where she was found not guilty of the death of Darryl Andrew Lynch in 2021, after his motorbike collided with her car in Aitkenvale.

Felicity Cole, who is running as the Herbert candidate for People First, describes herself on her Facebook page as a “healer” and that she was “spontaneously awakened to an ability to Heal after a gravitational pull to visit Uluru, NT”.

She recently held an event in Townsville at The Avenues with leader of the party Senator Gerard Rennick, a climate change denier that “stands up for common sense policies ” who quit the LNP in 2024 and began People First.

Going for this third term Mr Thompson, the only candidate in attendance, was happy to be drawn as the top of the ballot list come election day and said it was “great to just be on the ballot”.

“It’s been a very proud moment to represent the people of Townsville as their Federal member,” he said.

“It’s something that I don’t take for granted. That’s why I am here today and participating again in my third election.”

Mr Thompson said it was a “part of democracy” to attend the randomised ballot and said it was great to be in the room and watch it unfold.

With the election only weeks away, Mr Thompson said his job as the sitting MP was to continue to work hard.

“Regardless if it’s an election time or not, my job is to work for the people, so people don’t see me just out on election day, I am out all the time,” he said.

“I am not focused on who is running in the election, the focus has always been on serving the people and representing the people in Townsville.”

Herbert electoral ballot paper listing:

1. Phillip Thompson – LNP

2. Martin Brewster – Trumpet of Patriots

3. Felicity Cole – People First Party

4. Edwina Andrew – Labor

5. Chris Evans – Greens

6. Felicity Roser – Family First Party

7. Ross MacDonald – One Nation

8. Darryn Casson – Katter’s Australian Party

Originally published as Sitting MP Phillip Thompson claims number one spot on ballot paper for Herbert