When you are talking about connection to community and understanding the issues on the ground you can’t get more practical on hands experience than Wendy Backhous who has just announced that she’s running for Labor in the electorate of Page.
Wendy is a former health worker and local State Emergency Services (SES) volunteer, a mother of two, and grandmother of three.
‘I am a grandmother and a retired nurse, and I am proud to stand as the Labor candidate for Page in 2025,’ said Wendy.
‘I care deeply about our community and want to make a difference for the families who live and work here with long-term practical solutions like more affordable medicines and childcare, more housing, solar power, Medicare bulk billing, higher wages, tax cuts, and better education.
‘Our region needs a government that works hard for local families and is focused on improving our healthcare and education systems, protecting and creating local jobs, and working with communities to build resilience against more frequent natural disasters.’
Wendy says her 30-year career in regional and remote health means she is dedicated to affordable health care and community services in regional communities, including better education for our kids.
Hands on during floods and fires
As an SES volunteer in Corindi-Woogoolga, Wendy understands the impacts of disasters in our region. She will work to build resilience and help plan for more regularly occurring natural disasters like storms, floods, and bushfires in our communities.
Keeping jobs in the region
‘I will work hard to protect up to 1,000 vital federal public service jobs in Page that are under threat if a Dutton government is elected, along with the critical services that the public sector provides for our region,’ she said.
‘I will ensure Labor continues to repair the decade of damage the Coalition has inflicted on our healthcare system and other services like childcare and our schools, while protecting up to 1,000 federal government jobs – and the services the public sector provides – that are at risk under a Dutton government. These jobs losses will have serious economic consequences for our local towns.’
Wendy wants to ensure that families who are doing it tough can access the long-term, practical solutions that only Labor can offer. From more affordable medicines and childcare, housing, Medicare bulk billing, tax cuts for everyone, energy bill relief, raising the minimum wage and wage increases in critical areas like aged care, childcare.
Finish the NBN
Senator Jenny McAllister, Labor Duty Senator for Page says, ‘I am so pleased that Wendy Backhous has put up her hand to support the people of Page and protect local jobs and local services.
‘This community deserves a strong and energetic representative and I look forward to working with Wendy to make a difference for local families.
‘Only a Labor government will continue to protect and strengthen Medicare, deliver more cost-of-living support, finish the NBN, and keep wages moving.’
Make sure you can vote
If you have moved to the electorate of Page since the last election or turn 18 by 3 May don’t forget to change your address and register to vote by 8pm April 7.
To register to vote go to https://www.aec.gov.au/enrol. If you need to change your address so that you are voting in the correct electorate go to: https://www.aec.gov.au/enrol/update-my-details.htm.
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