By NIKKI TODD
THE gun has been fired and the starting candidates are out of the blocks in Richmond as the countdown to the Federal Election finally gets underway.
Candidates for the four main parties have been waiting for months – some even years – for the poll which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last Sunday announced would be held on September 7, just over four weeks from today.
Richmond, which stretches from the NSW-Queensland border at Tweed Heads down the coast to Lennox Head and inland to Murwillumbah and Nimbin, is considered a relatively safe Labor seat with sitting MP Justine Elliot enjoying a seven per cent margin on a two-party preferred basis.
A close friend of Mr Rudd, the mother of two teenagers who recently moved from Fingal to Nunderi, was excited to finally get the campaign underway.
“I’m really proud to be Kevin Rudd’s candidate here in Richmond,’’ said Ms Elliott.
“Locals will really have a very clear choice at this election between Kevin Rudd’s positive plans for our region and our country’s future.
“Compare this to the negativity of Tony Abbott’s Liberal National Party – all they have is negative spin and three-word slogans but we’ve got a really positive plan and are looking at new ways of addressing some of the challenges of the future, particularly when it comes to things like investing in better local schools, providing jobs for locals, better investment in local hospitals and health services and making sure we deliver fast and affordable broadband through the NBN.’’
Ms Elliot, who is seeking a fourth term in office, said she would not take her comfortable position for granted.
“Every election is a challenge – I never take anything for granted,” she said.
Although keen to secure the underdog status, the Coalition has shown a strong commitment to regaining Richmond – long considered National Party heartland under the leadership of three generations of the Anthony family.
Ruling out three-cornered contests, the Coalition endorsed the Nationals’ Matthew Fraser as its candidate in July last year, with the young businessman – best known for his ownership of two Hungry Jacks outlets in the Tweed – doorknocking the electorate for more than a year.
“The people that I speak to are desperate for a chance to change the government,’’ said Mr Fraser, who lives at Banora Point.
“Everybody knows I am the underdog leading into this election and the current Labor MP has been playing negative politics with full-page ads in newspapers for a long time and people are afraid things will only get worse from Labor.
“I am going to be talking about my positive plans for the area and Australia as a whole.”
Fingal Head resident Dawn Walker, a well-known activist in her community, will contest the seat for the Greens.
An experienced government and business consultant, Ms Walker said she had been overwhelmed by support since the poll date was announced.
“We are really excited for the electorate to have the opportunity to really have a say about the sort of future it wants,” Ms Walker said.
“We are looking at a Richmond where people want to look at what life is going to be like in the next 50 years, not just in the next three. It is about protecting the environment, maintaining the caring Tweed and carrying Byron Bay – people do not want to lose that. And in a practical sense people are very aware we need to move away from fossil fuels and do not want CSG here or anywhere.”
Fingal Head surgeon Dr Phil Allen will contest the seat on behalf of mining magnate Clive Palmer’s new Palmer United Party (PUP).
“It has been very interesting so far,” Dr Allen said.
“I am swept away at times with the reception we’ve had for the party, it’s been fantastic given the fact the mainstream media is trying to turn this into a two-horse race and excluding anybody else.
“There is a huge groundswell against those two parties and the support we have been getting is phenomenal for a party that has been around for such a short period of time.”
The PUP, which formed just four months ago, has endorsed candidates to run in all 150 House of Representatives seats as well as Senate teams in every state and territories.
A meet-the-candidates forum will be held at Banora Point Community Centre on 26 August from 7pm to 10pm. Phone Pat Tate on 07 5524 2957.
