While counting continues in the marginal Richmond federal electorate (Tweed, Byron and Ballina shires), Labor incumbent Justine Elliot is the likely winner, with her closest competitor, Greens candidate, Mandy Nolan, conceded today.
Ms Nolan was followed closely in first preferences by Nationals candidate, Kimberly Hone.
The Echo sought comment from Mrs Elliot, but she declined given the results were not finalised.
Her office said that she is withholding any public comment out of respect to the other candidates and until the official results have been finalised by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
On election night, Ms Nolan was leading the first preference count, but by around midnight, the count swung in Mrs Elliot’s favour.
Mrs Elliot increased her vote from the 2022 election, as did both the Greens and Nationals.
Mandy to run again
Meanwhile Ms Nolan, says she’ll put her hand up to run again at the next federal election, and will stand for pre-selection once it opens.
Conceding the seat, Ms Nolan offered her heart felt thanks to her volunteer team. ‘I am so profoundly proud of what we have built together,’ said Ms Nolan.
She also offered her congratulations to Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and to local MP, Justine Elliot.
Mandy’s announcement to seek pre-selection comes as the results of the 2025 Rough Sleepers count reveal Byron Bay has the second highest number of homeless people in NSW, down from being the highest in 2024.
‘I will continue to hold Labor to account by pushing for fully funding front-line homelessness services, and building the thousands of affordable homes desperately needed in this electorate’, said Ms Nolan.
Making history, Mandy Nolan has achieved the highest Green vote ever in the regional federal seat of Richmond with an overall swing to the Greens, on top of her five per cent swing to the Greens in the 2022 election.
Mandy has this time also won large and historic swings to the Greens in Murwillumbah, Benora Point, the Tweed and parts of Ballina, all former Labor and National strongholds in the region.
Nationals comment
When asked about whether Nationals candidate Kimberly Hone would run again in three years, her campaign manager told The Echo, ‘At this stage we aren’t discussing any of that, I know Kimberly is looking forward to getting back into local issues on [Tweed] Council’.
‘Kimberly has established herself as one of the strongest leaders in the area, and if there is one word to describe her it is that she’s a fighter. It won’t be the last you’ll hear of her.’
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