Susanna Freymark
Could you be the next independent candidate for the Page electorate in the upcoming federal election?
An election date hasn’t been announced but there are rumours of a March or April date.
In the seat of Page, Nationals Kevin Hogan has been the member for almost 12 years.
Greens candidate Luke Robinson has declared he is running and no official announcement has been made yet about a Labor candidate for Page.
The community group Voices for Page is holding an event this Sunday, February 23 to find an independent candidate.
Tim Williams is a member of Voices Of Page.
“Our group is passionate about integrity in politics, and we want to find a candidate who really knows our community, can champion its people, and can make Page a marginal seat at the upcoming election,” Mr Williams said.
“The event will open our candidate nominations process. It’s a process we would like to complete comprehensively, but also quickly, so we can find a candidate well before the election is held.”
The Sunday event includes asking what the community wants for Page and for a candidate. There is a form on the Voices for Page website to nominate a candidate.
The group hopes to find a candidate who is willing to run at the 2025 election and the following election likely to be held in 2028.
The group wants to hear from people from all walks of life, Mr Williams said.
“We are keen to hear what farmers, truckies, tradies, small business owners, teachers, nurses, school students and retired people want from their political representative.
“We are happy to have people who see themselves as potential candidates join the meeting, and we’d also love attendees to nominate other community members they think would make great candidates.”
The Page group has been inspired by Voices For Indi, and other community groups across Australia who are running independent candidates at the upcoming election.
More than 30 Voices Groups are in the process of announcing candidates.
In the last federal election, Hanabeth Luke ran for Page and as she has recently moved to WA, a new candidate is needed.
“We are starting from the ground up, after Hanabeth Luke announced late last year that she would be leaving the area. She was keen for a new group to form and a new candidate to be found and we are taking on that mantle,” Mr Williams said.
“If you’re passionate about seeing more independents elected, then you really need to get off the couch and join the movement now. Change won’t happen unless people make it happen and the election is getting close.”
The event is on Sunday, February 23 at 2pm–4pm at Blue Fattoria, 1014 Kyogle Rd Fernside. All Page residents are welcome.
Find out more at the group’s website here.
The last federal election in May 2022 returned the largest House of Representatives crossbench since 1934, with 10 independent members, 4 from the Greens, and one each from Centre Alliance and Katter’s Australian Party.
