By NIKKI TODD
THE race for Richmond may well go down to the wire on Saturday as the conservative parties and independents group together in a concerted effort to oust sitting Labor MP Justine Elliot from power.
Ms Elliot, who is seeking a fourth term in office, holds what would normally be considered a comfortable position with a safe seven per cent margin in a seat which stretches over almost 2,800 square kilometres from the Queensland border to Lennox Head and as far west as Nimbin.
But the seasoned MP, who served in the first Rudd Government as Minister for Ageing, is not taking anything for granted.
“I was very fortunate to win in 2004 against Larry Anthony,’’ Ms Elliot said.
“But I only won by 300 votes so I know what a privilege it is to win. I don’t take anything for granted at all, it is up to the people as to how they vote and what they decide.’’
Labor, whose well-run campaign saw Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visit Condong and Murwillumbah, is encouraging voters to give their preferences to Greens candidate Dawn Walker, who is doing the same for Ms Elliot.
Both women have concentrated on the fight against coal seam gas mining in the area.
But their alignment may not be enough to withstand the force of the remaining four candidates, who include The Nationals’ Matthew Fraser, Palmer United Party’s Phil Allen, former Tweed mayor Kevin Skinner who is running as an Independent and the Christian Democrats’ John Ordish.
While Mr Fraser is claiming underdog status, the young businessman who owns two Hungry Jack’s outlets in Tweed Heads, has worked tirelessly on the campaign for more than a year and is likely to benefit significantly from preference flows from his fellow conservatives.
Dr Allen, who has put his work as an orthopaedic surgeon on hold to represent billionaire businessman Clive Palmer in Richmond, said he had been “bowled over’’ by his level of support in recent weeks.
“The groundswell of support is just like a rock running downhill,’’ Dr Allen said.
“The momentum is just huge over the last couple of days and the polls are beginning to show it as well; it appears to be doubling, it is just amazing. I think people are beginning to wake up to what the alternative is in the two traditional parties.’’
Dr Allen said if he was not elected on Saturday, he expected his preferences and those of Mr Skinner’s to aid Mr Fraser in getting over the line.
“Our preferences go clearly to (Mr Fraser), so if I don’t get over the line, he will,’’ Dr Allen said.
“I think Justine is on the nose and I think the people of Richmond and the people of Australia are ready for a change.’’
