By NIKKI TODD
RICHMOND MP Justine Elliot has thrown her support behind the new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, saying he knows the Tweed well and will maximise Labor’s chances at the upcoming federal election.
Ms Elliot, a close friend of Mr Rudd who attended the same high school at Nambour, said she was excited by Mr Rudd’s ascension to the leadership after successfully challenging Julia Gillard last week.
“I am a strong supporter of Kevin Rudd’s and I signed the petition for him to lead us,’’ Ms Elliot said.
“He has got a really strong record of proven leadership and as I often say to people in our area, he is one of us: he understands the issues that are important to us here on the North Coast.
“He has been here a number of times in recent years and people up here have a real affection for Kevin as well because he does understand us.’’
Ms Elliot said she was hoping Mr Rudd would find time to visit the Tweed again in the lead-up to the upcoming federal election.
“He has been here a number of times and I’ve always kept him up to date with what’s happening in the area,’’ she said.
Mr Rudd visited the shire twice in an official capacity last year, throwing his support behind Labor’s Michael Armstrong at the recent council election.
But Ms Elliot’s challengers at the upcoming poll were not so enamoured, with most saying Mr Rudd’s leadership would have little impact on their campaigns.
Nationals candidate Matthew Fraser said the issue of boat people and border protection was by far the number one concern raised with him when doorknocking in the electorate.
“People in the community know it was Rudd who took down border protection policies when he dismantled the Pacific Solution,’’ Mr Fraser said.
“It is going to be interesting to see what he plans now. What is clear from this leadership spill is the whole party is falling apart and with all the ministers who have since resigned, it just shows they simply cannot support Mr Rudd as leader and if they can’t support him how are the Australian people going to support him?’’
Mr Fraser said coal seam gas – the issue Ms Elliot has nominated as the most important in the electorate – was no longer top of mind since gas exploration companies had pulled out of the region.
Greens candidate Dawn Walker, who enjoyed a visit from former Greens leader Bob Brown last Saturday, said Mr Rudd’s ascension would not change her game plan.
“I don’t think it is going to affect the campaign really because the issues for the community haven’t changed,’’ Ms Walker said.
“In this electorate people are really connected with their lives and their family’s lives here and I really think what they are looking for is someone who can represent those issues in Parliament.
“People are really aware of local issues and they are really focused on the local candidates, so the experience I am having is that it hasn’t changed things at all.’’
Palmer United Party candidate Dr Phil Allen said it made no difference who was in charge of the Labor Party.
“Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott, there is no real difference for us, that is why we are doing what we are doing,’’ the Fingal Head surgeon said.
“Richmond has been neglected by both sides of politics and needs a change.”
