2020 Australian Eden-Monaro By-Election

In the realm of Australian politics no other seat is more hotly contested than Eden-Monaro. This seat is geographically located within New South Wales and the Nation’s capital, Canberra. For decades it’s been considered a “bellwether seat” and one of the original 62 seats of the Australian Parliament. If I were to say the seat of Eden-Monaro was the Mecca of Australian Politics, I’d be selling short the importance of it. Traditionally no government has one won office in Australia without first winning the seat of Eden-Monaro, until recently.

Labor Party MP Mike Kelly successfully won the seat, but his government didn’t win the federal election. The Hon Mike Kelly was an extremely popular member who resigned due to ill-health, causing this by election on the 4th of July 2020.

So why is this important to non-Australians? Well for many inside the UK, trade deals that could bolster the nation’s economy could depend on the government winning this seat. If the Liberal Party were to gain this seat it would give the Government a clearer majority, cementing their policy positions (Trade Deals). For our American friends, Donald Trump’s alliance with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is integral to applying pressure on the Chinese Communist Party (C.C.P) and ensuring the safety of the South Pacific region. A switch in government could see a switch in the narrative. A narrative where the world could see a friendlier, a more compliment Labor party capitulating to the C.C.P in the South Pacific region. All though the current government has 77 of the 227 seats, there are 6 Independent/ Minor-Party cross benches. If the government doesn’t get all the independent cross-benches onside, it could take the opposition total seat count to 73, from 67. If the Australian Labor Party were to retain Eden-Monaro, it would apply even more pressure on the government to deal with the cross-bench.

So, who are the candidates?

Fiona Kotvojs

Liberal (Right-Wing)

Born in Bega and raised on the family farm in Dignams Creek, Dr Fiona Kotvojs lives in a sustainable off-grid home on the 380-acre family farm between Narooma and Bega, raising Simmental cattle and growing truffles. She started her working career as a high school teacher before she moved on to operate two businesses, one of which specialised in designing, managing and evaluating Australian foreign aid programs in Asia-Pacific nations. She has also been a Director of Oxfam Australia, served in the local bush fire brigade and been a member of the Australian Army Reserve.

Kristy McBain

Labor (Left-Wing)

McBain grew up on the NSW south coast and studied journalism and law at the University of Canberra before moving back home. She and her husband run a small plumbing business. McBain was first elected to Bega Valley Council in 2012 as a 29-year-old, a fresh face on a council that before the election consisted of eight men and one woman over the age of 50. She was the sixth of nine councillors elected in 2012 and third elected in 2015, all candidates contesting election as independents. McBain was elected Mayor after the 2016 election in a 6-3 vote by councillors. McBain came to greater prominence through her role in co-ordinating local response to the south-east bushfires in early 2020. She has resigned as Mayor after being selected as the Labor candidate for Eden-Monaro.

Dean McCrae

Liberal Democrats (Libertarian)

39-year-old McCrae has been a professional chef for over 20 years, won numerous awards. Born in the Riverina, he won a sporting scholarship in track and road cycling and moved to Canberra, where he became an apprentice at the Canberra Casino. From there he moved to working as a chef in the UK. Currently, he's producer and co-host of soon-to-be-launching Resolute TV, a YouTube-based variety program.

Matthew Stadtmiller

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers (Regional/Farmers/Country Party)

Stadtmiller was Deputy Mayor of Harden in 2017 when his council was merged with Young and Booroowa to form Hilltops Council. He was elected to the new council at the local government elections in September 2017. Stadtmiller polled 23.3% as the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate at the October 2017 Cootamundra by-election, and 15.7% in Cootamundra at the 2019 state election.

Trevor Hicks

The Nationals (Regional/ Farmers/Country Party)

Hicks has lived in the Eden-Monaro community for most of his life, is a Captains Flat local and a small business owner and has played Rug by for the Braidwood Redbacks. Hicks served as a councillor on Palerang Council from 2012 until the amalgamation with Queanbeyan. Hinks was elected Deputy Mayor of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council in 2017.

Narelle Storey

Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)

Storey is a parent and grandparent of special needs children. She has degrees in Science (Anatomy), Chiropractic, Remedial Massage, Sexual Health and Christian Ministry. Storey lost her home in the 2019 New Year’s Eve fires and is actively involved in rebuilding initiatives, starting 'ReStore Australia', a buy from the bush/keep it local web-based portal.

Jason Potter

Australian Federation Party

Potter was the first Youth Centre manager of the AXIS Youth Centre in Queanbeyan in the early 2000's. He has also worked at Karabar High School supporting at-risk youth and has held national leadership roles in education and not-for-profit charities, as well as local community organisations and churches. Potter has completed several degrees and diploma's including a Master of Arts (Leadership).

Cathy Griff

The Greens (Socialist/Communists)

Griff has lived in Tanja for over 30 years and has functioned as a Bega Valley Councillor since 2016. Griff’s career has featured research, policy, and advocacy, mainly for the Australia film industry. Griff has a Diploma of Education, Masters of Arts and has recently been wrestling with a doctorate.

Other Independents/Parties

James Holgate (independent), Michael Balderstone (HEMP PARTY), Riccardo Bosi (independent), Joy Angel (Sustainable Australia), James Jansson (Science Party)

Prediction: Labor Hold 1.2% margin after preferences.

Article written By Adam Owsinski