Election 2025: Gilmore represents and what they stand for
Eight individuals, all with differing policies and ideas, are fighting it out for Australia’s most marginal seat. Here’s who they are and what they plan to do if they win your vote.
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It may be Australia’s most marginal seat, which Labor holds by just .2 per cent, but such figures have not deterred eight hopefuls from putting up a fight for the seemingly vital coastal seat of Gilmore.
Established in 1984, Gilmore stretches along the NSW South Coast, from Moruya in the south to Kiama in the north, and boasts 127,000 registered voters.
In 2022, Labor’s Fiona Phillips clung onto the seat by just 373 votes, beating former NSW Liberal Bega MP, state treasurer and transport minister Andrew Constance.
Despite such a close battle, Mr Constance has put his hat back into the ring for the Liberals.
However, other candidates and even an independent will also contest the election.
We asked all candidates the same three questions and here are their responses.
Fiona Phillips, Labor:
Labor’s Fiona Phillips was first elected to the seat of Gilmore in 2019, ending a long reigning Liberal rule.
She was re-elected to the seat in 2022, beating out former NSW member for Bega, Andrew Constance, by just 373 votes, making Gilmore the tightest electorate in the country.
How will your policies help with cost of living in Gilmore?
Whether it’s our tax cuts for every taxpayer, energy bill relief, cheaper medicines, more people being able to see a GP for free, slashing 20 per cent off student debt, and more, we’re providing sensible cost-of-living relief where we can. We have already brought inflation down from 6 per cent to 2 per cent, and we have started to see interest rates fall.
On top of this, we’re delivering cheaper child care, free TAFE and expanding paid parental leave.
We’ve also delivered real wage increases for our lowest paid workers, increased rent assistance, and increased JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and other income support payments.
There’s more to do – and if I am re-elected, I will keep working hard to support local people deal with cost-of-living pressures.
What are your main priorities if elected as the Gilmore MP?
My main priorities will be cost-of-living relief, health, education, housing, roads and community infrastructure.
I will open a new federally funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Nowra, expand the hours of the Batemans Bay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and open an expanded Medicare Mental Health Centre in Nowra, just like the centre I opened in Moruya.
We’ll make free TAFE permanent, fully fund our public schools and slash 20 per cent off student debt.
I am continuing to work hard to progress major road projects such as the Jervis Bay Flyover, Nowra bypass and Milton Ulladulla bypass, and local roads.
How will your policies assist housing affordability in Gilmore?
Our Housing Australia Future Fund will continue to deliver more social and affordable rental housing for decades to come. Our Home Support Program is already investing in enabling infrastructure to assist housing developments become a reality.
We’ve incentivised the state government to get on with planning reforms to enable more well located homes close to town centres.
We’ve expanded the First Home Guarantee, and we’ve legislated the Help to Buy Scheme to assist first-home buyers.
Andrew Constance, Liberal:
Former NSW member for Bega Andrew Constance is running for Gilmore for a second time after an unsuccessful bid for the Liberals in 2022.
Boasting a portfolio of NSW treasurer, disability and transport minister, Mr Constance says he has the experience to be the member.
How will your policies help with cost of living in Gilmore?
Labor has completely destroyed our living standards. Only a Liberal Government can get Gilmore and Australia back on track.
We’ll lower inflation by cutting wasteful spending, support small businesses by encouraging entrepreneurship and cut power costs by reducing gas bills and cutting fuel excise.
What are your main priorities if elected as the Gilmore MP?
I will be a strong voice for Gilmore in Canberra, tirelessly fighting for better services and improved infrastructure for our electorate.
I’ve advocated for and secured funding support for key local community facilities from Batemans Bay to Kiama. But there is more to do.
I have a strong track record delivering on the Princes Highway and other major projects, and if elected I intend to continue that work, including delivering the Nowra bypass and Milton Ulladulla bypass and other road upgrades.
We urgently need to fix Jervis Bay Rd to ensure safer trips for our motorists.
How will your policies assist housing affordability in Gilmore?
Labor’s housing crisis has left people across our community struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
Not a single house has been built under the government’s flagship $10bn Housing Australia Future Fund.
Only the Liberal team can make housing affordable again.
We’ll deliver more affordable homes by funding critical infrastructure, assisting first-home buyers, restricting foreign investors and reducing Labor’s record migration to sustainable levels.
Debbie Killian, the Greens:
The Greens candidate Debbie Killian did not answer the questions provided by this publication.
However, her campaign website states she has worked in education for 30 years and understands the issues facing Gilmore.
She said the Greens would stand against fossil fuel corporations and bring energy costs down in Gilmore.
Kate Dezarnaulds, independent:
Boasting a portfolio as a business owner and former Berry business chamber president, Ms Dezarnaulds says Gilmore needs a voice in parliament who would focus on them and not major party politics.
She is now having a crack at the tightest electorate in the country.
How will your policies help with cost of living in Gilmore?
Everywhere I go across Gilmore, people are telling me the same thing: life is getting harder. Whether it’s the rising cost of rent, groceries or power bills, many households and small businesses are stretched to the limit.
I’m committed to advocating for targeted relief – support that actually reaches those who need it most, including pensioners, renters, carers, families and our local businesses. I’ll also push for long-term strategies to reduce pressure at the source. That means boosting local jobs and investment by supporting industries that create secure, well-paid employment right here in our region.
Affordable housing is a critical piece of the puzzle and I’ll work to ensure the federal government takes real action to increase supply and reduce housing stress. I’ll also back policies that lower everyday costs – like energy efficiency upgrades to reduce power bills, fairer access to essential services and strengthening regional supply chains so our grocery prices aren’t dictated by city supermarkets.
This is about practical, people-first policies. I’ll keep listening to the community, engaging with experts and community groups, and fighting to ensure Gilmore’s voice is heard – and acted on – in Canberra.
What are your main priorities if elected as the Gilmore MP?
My priorities come directly from the conversations I’ve had with people across Gilmore.
They’re focused on the things that matter most: affordability, opportunity, community resilience and protecting what we love about this region.
Affordable housing and health care are right at the top of the list.
Too many people are locked out of stable housing or can’t access a GP when they need one.
I’ll advocate for more investment in community housing, and push for policies that attract and retain essential workers like nurses, teachers and aged care staff.
Health care should be affordable and accessible for everyone. I’m also focused on renewable energy and local jobs.
The energy transition is happening – and I want to make sure the benefits stay in our region.
That means supporting community-led projects, helping local tradies and businesses get involved and making our homes more energy-efficient to lower bills.
How will your policies assist housing affordability in Gilmore?
Housing affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing Gilmore right now.
We’re seeing record-low rental vacancy rates, skyrocketing rents, and not enough housing to meet the needs of essential workers, young families and older residents.
This isn’t just a housing issue – it affects every part of our community.
When people can’t afford to live where they work, our services, schools and local businesses suffer.
We need to be bold and practical. I’ll push for federal support for build-to-rent developments, which can provide long-term, stable rental housing.
I’ll also explore public-private and shared-equity partnerships that help people get a foothold in the housing market, even if they don’t have a large deposit.
Graham Brown, Family First:
Mr Brown declined to provide his individual thoughts, policies and plans when asked by this publication.
Instead, the South Coast-based business owner pointed to Family First’s policies, including removing any LGBTQ teachings from schools, closing drug injecting centres, releasing more land and reduce red tape to free up housing supply and urging all Australians, regardless of culture, to “rally around the shared Judaeo-Christian values”.
Melissa Wise, Trumpets of Patriots:
Ms Wise is running for Gilmore as the candidate of Australian business-mogul Clive Palmer’s recently established party, Trumpets of Patriots.
The party believes Australia “needs a Donald Trump” and is pushing to “make Australia great again”.
Ms Wise – who is an air hostess – did not respond to the questions put to her by this publication, but she did label herself a “passionate advocate for justice, women’s and children’s rights” on her campaign site.
“We need real people in power, not career politicians,” the site reads.
The website also states she has worked abroad, from Austria and London to Australia’s east coast, giving her an international perspective when working for Gilmore.
“I understand first hand the struggles Australians face and I’m committed to making a genuine difference in people’s lives,” it reads.
Adrian Carle, Legalise Cannabis Australia:
Legalise Cannabis Australia Party Adrian Carle did not respond to our questions but his campaign website states he has a deep understanding of communication, leadership and the power of messaging to drive real change.
His main priority is focusing on seeing cannabis legalised across Australia.
The campaign website states the count needs a “new path forward” in regards to the cannabis issue.
John Hawke, One Nation:
Former air force employee John Hawke is One Nation’s candidate for Gilmore.
Mr Hawke did not respond to queries from this publication regarding his candidacy and does not have a campaign website.
Got a story? Email tom.mcgann@news.com.au
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