Labor: Justine Elliot – (age 46) – re-elected in 2013
Justine Elliot MP was re-elected in 2013, and has held the seat of Richmond since 2004, with her wins in 2007 and 2010 increasing her margin to 7%, before that margin was reduced in the 2013 election. She has a husband and two teenage children and has recently moved from Fingal Head to Nunderi near Murwillumbah. A former youth justice convenor, community representative on the local health board and police officer, she was Minister for Ageing in the first term of the Labor Government, becoming Parliamentary Secretary for Trade after the 2010 election. She stated that the reason she stepped down as secretary this year was to concentrate on the fight agains CSG expansion in the area.
The Nationals: Matthew Fraser (age 33)
Matthew Fraser lives in Bilambil Heights with his wife Paula. They met when they worked together at McDonalds. At 25 he purchased a Wizard Home Loans franchise, which he sold in 2008 to purchase a Hungry Jack’s outlet in Tweed Heads. He recently purchased a second Hungry Jack’s in Tweed. Outside the worlds of politics and fast food his passions include collecting and racing BMX bicycles, flying and karate.
The Greens: Dawn Walker
Dawn Walker has three children, she lives at Fingal Heads and describes herself as a small business consultant. She is an active environmental campaigner and a community advocate through her work as a former President of the Fingal Heads Community Association. She is also an artist and a surfer. She achieved a primary vote of 17-18% in the 2013 election.
Palmer United Party: (Charles) Philip Allen
Dr Phil Allen is a keen yachtsman, senior orthopaedic surgeon in the Tweed area and until recently was a treasurer of the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra. He achieved a primary vote of 7-8% in the 2013 election.
Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group): John Ordish
John Ordish is a young man who nominated very late in the process, just before the deadline. He does not have a high public profile and has worked in website maintenance.
Independent: Kevin Skinner
Kevin Skinner runs his Chinderah-based motel with his wife. He is a former Tweed Mayor and was a relatively late nominee for the federal election. He joined Carolyn Byrne’s ticket in the last Council election but was not elected. Mr Skinner is on the conservative side of politics.
See the Echo’s full election coverage on our page Election 2013
