Seven candidates have been confirmed as being on the New England ballot for the federal election, with one latecomer apparently French royalty.
His Royal Highness Prince Todd Charles Juchau, Protector of the Faithful, Defender of the Kingdom, a security guard from Murrurundi, will appear on the ballot paper in New England – minus the titles – as the endorsed candidate of Clive Palmer’s latest party. The former Labor Party branch treasurer says he is a direct descendant of Charlemagne, and the first Mayor of Murrurundi Charles Juchau, but he has no loyalty to France and is not in violation of s44 of the Constitution.
“The reason that I am running is because I want to step into my ancestral roots,” Juchau said just after the ballot draw in Armidale on Friday.
“I want to look after the people of Australia, make sure they are safe, and make sure we have a future for the children of the children of the children.”
Juchau will appear second from the bottom on the New England ticket, with Barnaby Joyce picking up a couple of extra donkey votes he likely won’t need by being drawn in the top spot.
New England Ballot Draw
Position Candidate Party 1 Barnaby Joyce The Nationals 2 Wendy Wales The Greens 3 Natasha Ledger Independent 4 Laura Hughes Australian Labor Party 5 Holly Masters Family First Party 6 Todd Juchau Trumpet of Patriots 7 Brent Larkham Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
One Nation’s Brent Larkham was happy to have the last spot on the ticket – or the reverse donkey spot – saying that 7 is his lucky number.
“I know it’s down the bottom there, but it’s actually my lucky number, so bring it on.”
Larkham was optimistic of faring well following a strong showing by One Nation in previous elections in the Muswellbrook area, which is now part of the New England, but he urged all voters to make a smart vote.
“Voters should be voting with their head, and their heart, and their children,” Larkham said.
“Australia is in a critical place, and we need to make some big decisions and better our country or we’re going to get left behind.”
Larkham was chatting happily with serial Independent Natasha Ledger before the draw about all kinds of issues across the electorate that they felt needed addressing. Ledger said she had been in the number three spot before, but the big thing she wanted people to do was make sure they number all the boxes.
“People need to make sure they number all the boxes so that their vote counts, not just put a 1 next to my name,” she said.
Elizabeth O’Hara, Greens local campaign manager, said they were very happy with their number two spot, and praised their candidate as being a strong representative who understands the cost of living pressures and other challenges.
“Wendy Wales is an absolutely tremendous candidate, we’re very proud to have her and we’re pleased to have got second place on the ballot paper.”
The election will be held on May 3 with early voting beginning straight after Easter.
Follow all the New England Times coverage of the federal election here or have your say on Engage
See more about the race in New England here
See more about the race in Parkes here