There has been a great deal of speculation as to when the 2022 Federal Election will be held. Experts have been theorising March or April at the earliest because no election has ever been held in January or February, however, those time frames include Easter and ANZAC Day so the most popular conclusion is the 2022 Federal Election will be held on either the 7th, 14th or 21st of May.

At this stage we know of two candidates that have announced their intention to run for the seat of Page, sitting member the National's Kevin Hogan and Labor's Patrick Deegan.

A third hat has announced their intention to compete for the honour of being our local Federal representative, Independent Dr Hanabeth Luke.

You may know Hanabeth's name, she was famously hailed as "the Angel of Bali" after helping an injured man escape Kuta Beach’s Sari Club following the 2002 Bali Bombing.

Now residing in Evans Head, Hanabeth is a renowned academic. She started with a Coastal Management degree at Southern Cross University (SCU) then moved to the UK where she gained a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Plymouth. After teaching Environmental Science, Geography, World Development and Sociology for several years, she returned to SCU with the School of Environment, Science and Engineering. Hanabeth then did her PhD on the coal seam gas issue and has been teaching and conducting research in Southern Cross University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering since 2011.  

Hanabeth hopes to welcome a new era of integrity in politics, as she confirms plans to become the Independent candidate for the NSW North Coast seat of Page at this year’s Federal election.

"I have no background in politics," Hanabeth told the Lismore App, "I am an academic, someone who loves the work they are doing at SCU."

Hanabeth has worked with farmers for more than a decade; running large landholder surveys and listening to the firsthand accounts of the many challenges the region’s farmers are facing. She says that many of these people feel their voices are unheard.

"I have spoken to a lot of farmers in this region and across Australia, basically they want to pass on a healthy farm to their kids at the end of the day," Hanabeth said, "They need support to build their own resilience and be able to have a healthy and productive farm into the future."

"There is a whole range of things they can do like improve the health and carbon in their soil, plant trees to stop erosion and support the wetlands."

Hanabeth has a refreshing outlook on politics, wanting it to be honest, fair, transparent and accountable. She also believes that party politics is part of the problem which is why she is standing as an Independent.

"In both my work and social life I know that people are sick of the lack of integrity, transparency and competency of the Morrison Liberal/National Government. I believe we are in a crisis of truth and decency.

“This government has failed time and again to act strategically or with integrity.

“I support an honest politics that is fair, transparent and accountable. I want to see improved funding and better connectivity of our health and care systems.

“I will fight for a fair future with affordable housing and quality education for all the people of Page, as well as a rapid transition to a carbon-neutral economy that supports our farmers and regional industries,” she said.

"I want to see a rapid transition to a carbon-free economy. If we are continuing to release carbon from coal and gas this will maintain the accelerated rate of climate change. Hydrogen development is one of the key resources in the future that we need to develop but how we produce the hydrogen is absolutely critical."

When asked how the transition could be paid for without putting the burden on taxpayers, Hanabeth answered "Enormous amount of money is spent on supporting the coal and gas industry, I would like to see that money refunnelled into the sugar, dairy and beef industry into the future. When rural industries are thriving they have a very positive impact on the rest of a region."

Voices4page convenor Vicki Gaillard said she was delighted that a candidate of Hanabeth’s calibre and experience had come forward.

“Hanabeth will bring science and research capabilities, wide local experience and engagement, strong advocacy, and integrity with her to Parliament,” Mrs Gaillard said.

“As a highly regarded Senior Lecturer in Science and Agriculture at Southern Cross University, as well as a volunteer Marine Rescue crew member, surfing champion, and a mother, Hanabeth is the local voice we need to fight for our region.”

Running a Federal Election campaign is a very expensive exercise so how is Hanabeth financing her tilt for the seat of Page?

"Electoral funding is skewed to the major parties," she answered, "The money is coming from the community, we have a self-funded page that two days in has already raised $6500."

You can view Hanabeth Luke's website to see what she believes and to make a donation to the upcoming Federal Election www.hanabethluke.com.au.

The Federal Seat of Page covers an area from Sapphire Beach in the south to Nimbin in the north on the coastal side, and from Nymboida in the south to the Queensland border on the inland side. The main towns include Casino, Dunoon, Evans Head, Grafton, Iluka, Kyogle, Lismore, Nimbin, Sapphire Beach and Wooli.

The seat is held by the National Party's Kevin Hogan.

At the 2019 Federal Election, Kevin Hogan had a 7.1% swing to end up with 59.4% of the vote after preferences, this was after he received 49.6% of the first preference votes. Labor's Patrick Deegan suffered a -7.1% against him ending with 40.6% of the preference vote following a -8.5% drop in his first preference vote.

A swing of 9.5% is needed to unseat Kevin Hogan.