Over the weekend Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan was elected as The Nationals candidate for our community at the upcoming Federal Election.

That's right, a Federal Election is not too far away with 2022 being the year that Prime Minister Scott Morrison's term is up but some experts are predicting a late 2021 election.

“I am very humbled,” Mr Hogan said. 

“I would like to thank all Nationals members for their support and also the broader community who have now elected me three times to represent them in Canberra.”

“Working together, we have achieved a lot since I was first elected in 2013, but there is always more to be done.”

“As well as continuing to deliver much-needed projects and services, I will continue to stand up for our community in Parliament and put our community first.”

While that announcement was happening, there were rumours that the Nationals would run a ticket at the next Lismore Council Elections in September.

Historically, the Nationals have kept politics out of local issues with National members running as Independents but this thinking has changed since Labor and the Greens have run endorsed candidates in the past few council elections. Councillor Darlene Cook is the endorsed Labor Mayoral candidate and lead on the Country Labor ticket while Councillor and current Mayor Vanessa Ekins is the endorsed Greens candidate.

This situation has caused a re-think from the Nationals who now believe they need to run candidates under the Nationals banner who represent their philosophies and ideals at a local level.

National Party member and local Real Estate Agent Andrew Gordon (pictured on the right at Kevin Hogan's endorsement at Casino on Saturday) is believed to be the lead candidate. Mr Gordon said, "This would be a perfect solution but nothing is confirmed yet."

"This is a difficult process because you need to run 5 people on a ticket, we are looking for people to be involved. Discussions are taking place."

Sources close to the Nationals advised the Lismore App that the process is advanced and has been discussed at the last two branch meetings. At the last meeting, it was resolved that the Nationals are seeking expressions of interest from members willing to stand as candidates as Nationals at the Lismore local council elections.

Registrations for the Lismore City Council Local Government Election to date include Our Sustainable Future Party (Cnr Elly Bird, Jyllie Jackson, Deborah Ray, Simon Clough, Carlos Vieira-Silva and Gwendoline Trimble), Animal Justice Party (Saskja Marx-Hahn and Alison Waters) and Sally Flannery (Independent).

Registrations do not mean people have nominated to run to become a Councillor, nominations open at the end of June 2021. Registrations mean a person or party can start to receive political donations.