Posted inAustralia Votes 2025, Feature, New England Electorate, Parkes Electorate

More local candidates announced for federal election

Candidates are slowly but surely coming forward to fill out the ballots in Parkes and New England.

Broken Hill local and mining professional Nathan Fell has been named as the Australian Labor Party candidate for Parkes in the upcoming federal election. He has lived in the electorate of Parkes for most of his life and is passionate about supporting rural communities to access the healthcare, education, and opportunities that they deserve.

“Parkes has been built on the strength of our mining and agricultural sectors. I am proud to work in the mining industry, and it is vital that we support these sectors to ensure that workers can live secure, dignified lives whilst contributing to our nation’s economy.

“From Broken Hill to Dubbo and Moree, Labor has given every taxpayer in Parkes a tax cut, increased childcare subsidies, and reduced the cost of medicines to ensure the community is keeping more of what they earn. The Nationals have announced that if elected, they will vote to raise taxes for every Australian taxpayer.”

“Labor has announced it will provide crucial support to Rex Airlines, in order to maintain competition in the airline sector and ensure people living outside of metropolitan areas have access to the services they need.”

“Parkes needs a strong voice in Parliament. I will stand up for our community, and fight to deliver Parkes the healthcare, education and vital services that we deserve,” Mr Fell said.

Family First, a minor conservative party that positions itself on ‘Christian’ values and ‘putting the family’ back in to policy, has announced candidates in both seats. Maurice Davey is a 4th generation farmer and grazier in the central west of NSW and will stand for the seat of Parkes, while Holly Masters, a speech pathologist in Armidale, will represent the party in New England.

Brewarrina councillor and Ngemba woman Trish Frail has been endorsed as the Greens candidate for Parkes. She puts a strong focus on environmental issues including successfully fighting against the establishment of a nuclear waste facility in the Brewarrina shire. 

The Parkes candidates join former Gunnedah Mayor and Nationals candidate Jamie Chaffey, and Libertarian candidate Sally Edwards.

Holly Masters joins incumbent Nationals Barnaby Joyce, Labor’s Laura Hughes, the Greens Wendy Wales, Brent Larkham from One Nation, and Independent Natasha Ledger in the race for New England.

More candidates are likely to come forward, with nominations open until April 10, 2025. The election is being held on May 5.


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RK Crosby is a broadcaster, journalist and pollster, and publisher of the New England Times.