The 2025 federal election may be remembered for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s unprecedented four televised debates — but in the seat of Richmond, a very different kind of debate has stolen the spotlight in the final week of the campaign.
Moderator Under Fire
Hosted by The Byron Echo and moderated by Echo journalist and Bay FM presenter Mia Armitage, Monday night’s Byron Bay candidates forum has drawn sharp criticism from South Ballina-based independent Kevin Loughrey, who said the event resembled “a curated panel show” more than a fair and open-minded political debate.
“I said the Earth’s climate has been cooling for the last 140 years, citing data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -that’s NOAA, the federal agency that monitors climate and environmental data,” said Loughrey, a mechanical engineer.
“Mia cut in to say I was wrong, claiming the Climate Council says climate change is real. She wasn’t moderating — she was arguing.”
Loughrey believes Armitage crossed a line by injecting personal commentary.
“If she wants to be part of the debate, she should run as a candidate,” he said.
“Her job was to keep time, not push The Echo’s green-left agenda.”
Unequal Airtime and “Trigger Warnings”
The debate also drew criticism for its uneven format. Labor’s Justine Elliot and Greens candidate Mandy Nolan were given 60 seconds to respond to questions, while independents and minor party candidates were limited to 45 seconds.
“It was obvious who the favourites were,” Loughrey said. “If you didn’t follow the green script, you were either silenced or challenged by the host herself.”
Nationals candidate Kimberly Hone was absent due to a family emergency.
“My heart goes out to that person,” Loughrey said. “They spared her the indignity.”
The forum took a more bizarre turn during comments from One Nation candidate Ian Mye, a Bundjalung man, who spoke about Indigenous affairs. According to multiple candidates, Armitage then warned the audience that some comments might be distressing and offered information about counselling services.
“Mia interrupted after Ian spoke and said something like, ‘Some people may find this distressing, and you can seek counselling at [a local service] if needed,’” Loughrey said.
“Since when do political debates come with trigger warnings?”
Candidates Respond
Mye was more measured but still found the moment unnecessary.
“I wasn’t flustered,” he said. “But I did think it was a bit unfair. Candidates should be able to express their views without being talked over or emotionally framed by the moderator.”
“I’m used to pushback,” he said.
“But there’s a difference between tough questions and telling people how to feel after I’ve spoken.”
Loughrey said Armitage’s approach reflected a belief that she knew more than those on stage.
“She believes she knows better than the candidates,” he said.
“She’s simply the consumer of false narratives.”
Credentials and Criticism
According to her LinkedIn profile, Armitage studied “Creative Industries” at QUT and worked for the Country Road retail chain before transitioning into local media.
Loughrey, by contrast, holds an honours degree in mechanical engineering and says he’s “achieved a number of world firsts in chemistry, physics, engineering, and computer science.”
“She was editorialising throughout,” he said.
“That’s not what moderators are supposed to do. A proper moderator enforces time limits and keeps things civil — not fact-checking people mid-sentence or telling the audience how to interpret what’s being said.”
When contacted by Ballina News Daily, Armitage declined to comment in detail and ended the call after questioning whether we supported “climate change denial”.
No Regrets
Despite the clash, Loughrey said he didn’t regret attending.
“I had people come up to me afterwards saying, ‘You spoke really well.’ One bloke said, ‘I used to believe in that climate stuff, but after COVID I started questioning everything. You made sense.’ So at least I know I reached a few people.”
He believes the Byron Bay audience was more open-minded than the format allowed. “Byron’s not as one-dimensional as people think,” he said. “There’s a growing group — especially among younger folk — who are sick of being told what to think.”
Main photo: Independent candidate Kevin Loughrey in full debate mode
sounds like Q and A…..!