The 2025 Federal election has not been called by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to date; however, we know it must be held by May 17.

At this time, two candidates have declared they will run for the seat of Page: sitting National Party Member Kevin Hogan and The Greens Luke Robinson.

A community-driven push is underway to find an outstanding independent candidate to represent the people of Page. 

Voices Of Page, a newly formed community group working to improve integrity in local politics, is holding a candidate finding event. 

The event has three objectives. The first is to clearly define the attributes the local community is seeking in an independent candidate. The event will ask participants to identify what their vision is for their community independent candidate and what characteristics they would like in their candidate.

The second is to launch the candidate identification and selection process. The group hopes of find a candidate who is willing to run at the 2025, as well as the following election likely to be held in 2028.

The final objective of the event is to invite more community members to get involved in Voices Of Page community group, particularly people who want to take a leading role in the process of selecting an outstanding independent candidate for Page and getting them elected.

Tim Williams, a member of Voices Of Page who lives in Goonellabah, said, “Our group is passionate about integrity in politics, and we want to find a candidate who really knows our community, can champion its people, and can make Page a marginal seat at the upcoming election.”

“The event will open our candidate nominations process. It’s a process we would like to complete comprehensively, but also quickly, so we can find a candidate well before the election is held.”

“It’s vital that we get the input of a broad cross-section of the community during this process, as we want to find a candidate who can genuinely represent the communities’ diverse needs.”

“Our group wants an independent MP elected who will always vote with the best interest of the Page community at heart.” 

“Unfortunately, when you have a party politician representing you in Canberra, they have to follow the party line. I think we deserve better.”

The group is keen to hear from people of all walks of life.

Mr Williams said, “We are keen to hear what farmers, truckies, tradies, small business owners, teachers, nurses, school students and retired people want from their political representative.” 

“We are happy to have people who see themselves as potential candidates join the meeting, and we’d also love attendees to nominate other community members they think would make great candidates, 

The group has been inspired by Voices For Indi, and other community groups across Australia who are running candidates at the upcoming election. Over 30 Voices Groups  are in the process of announcing candidates. 

Tim says, “The most successful of these groups to do this at past elections have taken the time to listen to the community, found strong candidates and electoral success followed.”

Currently, there is no announced independent candidate for the Page Electorate. Hanabeth Luke, the independent candidate who stood for Page at the last election, recently moved interstate. Taking an academic role in WA. She wouldn’t be a candidate in Page at the upcoming election. 

Tim said, “This is a fairly new community group, that formed after a gathering at Blue Fattoria at Bentley last year. We are basically starting from the ground up, after Hanabeth Luke announced late last year that she would be leaving the area. She was keen for a new group to form and a new candidate to be found and we are taking on that mantle.”

“If this process is to be a success, then we’ll need more people to get involved in the group.”

“If you’re passionate about seeing more independents elected, then you really need to get off the couch and join the movement now. Change won’t happen unless people make it happen and the election is getting close”.

People wishing to attend the meeting can register on the groups website: www.voicesofpage.org

The event is to be held on Sunday 23rd February from 2pm to 4pm at Blue Fattoria, 1014 Kyogle Rd Fernside NSW 2480. All Page residents are welcome.