The Canberra Times, 16 April 2022:
Mr Joyce's re-election proclamation has been to "make Australia as strong as possible as quickly as possible" in the face of global uncertainty by boosting exports in sectors like mining and minerals.
"Our number one priority is the security of our nation which must be underpinned by our capacity to pay for it," Mr Joyce said as he turned the sod on a central Queensland coal mine.
"And we pay for it with iron ore, we pay for it with coal, we pay for it with gas, we pay for it with live cattle, live sheep, irrigated cotton, irrigated wheat.
"We're going to have an epiphany about how we earn money because if we don't earn money we're poor and if we're poor, we're weak."…...
The Nationals are sandbagging some otherwise safe seats in Queensland and NSW after a series of natural disasters turned public sentiment against the federal government.
Kevin Hogan, whose northern NSW electorate of Page encompasses Lismore - the region worst hit by recent flooding - would normally consider his seat safe for the Nats on a 9.5 per cent margin.
But with NSW state Liberal MP Catherine Cusack accusing the Prime Minister of politicising the devastating floods, publicly stating she wouldn't vote for him, and anger bubbling at delayed government responses, some in Labor believe the seat could prove to be their dark horse.
The adjacent seat of Cowper held by Nationals MP Pat Conaghan on a slimmer 6.8 per cent margin, will also need reinforcements…..
What this news article did not mention was the fact that Kevin Hogan quickly became notorious across the entire NSW Northern Rivers last month when he rather aggressively stated words to the effect that the debate is over on the use of engineered structures on north-eastern coastal rivers and that government will make those decisions not communities.
Tweed Daily News, 14 April 2022:
What area does Richmond cover?
Richmond covers an area from the New South Wales/Queensland border in the north to Ballina and Pimlico in the south.
The main towns include Ballina, Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Burringbar, Byron Bay, Hastings Point, Kingscliff, Lennox Head, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Suffolk Park, and Tweed Heads.
Overtime the seat has been a traditionally conservative held by the nationals party five times, three of which were in the Anthony family – Hubert Lawrence Anthony (1937 – 1957), former deputy prime minister Doug Anthony (1957 – 1984) and most recently Larry Anthony (1996 – 2004).
The Labor Party has held the seat twice, by Neville Newell between 1990 – 1996 and most recently Justine Elliot since 2004.
Ms Elliot retained the seat with a 4.1 per cent margin in the 2019 election.
Who are the candidates?
Justine Elliot, Labor
The current member for Richmond Justine Elliott will be running again this election.
Ms Elliot said this election Labor’s plans were for cheaper power bills, cheaper childcare and more secure, well-paid jobs.
“From our $10 billion plan to ease the housing crisis, to our comprehensive plan to tackle climate change and create over 600,000 jobs, and the creation of a federal anti-corruption commission – Labor is on your side,” Ms Elliot said.
“Labor will create a better life by securing Medicare and making it easier to go and see the doctor and we’ll make childcare more affordable and fix the aged care crisis.
“We will invest in secure local jobs – investing in skills and training including Fee-Free TAFE in areas of skill shortage. We’ll bring manufacturing home.”
She said Labor will also scrap the cashless debit cards.
“As your local MP, I’m proud to have delivered more than $2 billion for local jobs, schools, health, roads and community resources. I am always on your side and committed to working with everyone to build a better North Coast,” she said.
Ms. Elliot spoke up swiftly and loudly, along with her state political counterparts Catherine Cusack Liberal MLC and Janelle Saffin Labor MLA, objecting to Prime Minister Morrison's attempt to use enhanced direct relief funding for flood victims as a form of 'pork barrelling' aimed at benefiting only the Nationals-held Page electorate.
Also contesting the seat at the 21 May election will be:
Kimberley Hone, National Party. A Pentecostal ‘preacher’ with a Family First & Australian Christian Lobby background, who appears determined to bring the Kingdom of God into federal politics - “the ultimate goal for me, just like my husband and I have done with business, I want to bring God’s kingdom to the political arena and I want God’s kingdom to penetrate the political mountain”. A local resident of around 3 ½ years standing;
Mandy Nolan, The Greens. A performer, comedian, MC, writer, author, artist, teacher, ambassador and activist, who has lived in the Richmond electorate for more than 30 years and, as a longtime resident has an understanding of local and regional issues;
Gary Biggs, Liberal Democrats. A big fan of ‘freedoms’ apparently discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic and it seems of little else. “The average punter needs the chance to vote for a real freedom party, a party with liberty at its very core. Not a party who discovered “more freedom” just in time for an election.”;
Robert Marks, United Australia Party. Has been with millionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer's party for nine years and unsuccessfully run in six elections, five as a party candidate; and
Monica Shepherd, Informed Medical Opinions Party. A self-described “clinical naturopath” with apparently no formal medical qualifications, who appears committed more to an across the board anti-vaccination & anti-fluoride agenda than than to existing freedom of choice.
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