Following the Ballina-Byron Greens preselection ballot, Mandy Nolan has been selected as the party’s candidate to contest the state seat of Ballina in the 2027 election, currently held by Tamara Smith.
Mandy Nolan has lived in the Byron Shire for over three decades where she has brought up five children, created and maintained a successful comedy career, featured in the Echo Soapbox for 25 years and written five books. There are very few locals who would not have heard of Mandy Nolan.
She has run twice against Labor’s Justine Elliot for the federal seat of Richmond but so far has not been able to swing the seat to the Greens.
Local Greens say Mandy’s unwavering commitment and support for social issues is demonstrated in everything she does. With a solid track record of advocacy across Ballina and Byron shires, they describe her as a relentless volunteer and highly effective community leader.
They also said Mandy Nolan injects hard conversations into her comic performances, raising awareness and discussion of many difficult and challenging issues.
Strong interest
The nomination for the seat of Ballina attracted strong interest from local Greens after the incumbent, Tamara Smith MP, announced her departure from state politics at the next election. Ms Smith has welcomed Mandy as a passionate community advocate and has offered her full support to the campaign.
The member for Ballina said, ‘I am delighted to hear that Mandy Nolan has been preselected by our members as the Greens candidate for the 2027 State election.
‘Mandy is a grassroots candidate who has been a member of the Greens since the mid ’90s. She has not only supported every Greens campaign we have run in the Northern Rivers at every level of government in the last thirty years, but she grew our vote significantly as our federal candidate for Richmond.
‘Mandy is community minded, smart, humble, and truly listens to people,’ continued Tamara Smith.
‘I have watched her solve problems big and small with our community and her advocacy and public profile is second to none. If anyone can win the seat for us in 2027 it is Mandy and I look forward to doing everything I can to support her campaign.’
Thrilled
‘I am absolutely thrilled to be the Greens candidate for Ballina and to continue the work of our MP for Ballina Tamara Smith,’ Mandy told The Echo.
‘I am committed to grassroots community engagement – I love this community and this place. It would be a privilege to be their voice at the table!’
She also said, ‘I am excited about the opportunity to represent my community, to listen to the electorate, to advocate for those in need, and if elected it would be my absolute privilege to continue the important work of our Greens MP Tamara Smith.’
The Ballina preselection contest also included Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye and Ballina councillor Kiri Dicker.
The preselection results are subject to formal ratification at a joint meeting of the Ballina and Byron Greens on 1 July 2026.
Byron Shire Councillor David Warth says he will run in Ballina as an independent, Kevin Loughrey is set to represent One Nation while the Nationals, who had held the seat prior to Ms Smith, and Labor are yet to nominate a candidate.
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