Richmond Greens candidate Mandy Nolan has gone quiet, not responding to media inquiries as counting continues in the closely watched federal seat.
Despite hopes among some Greens supporters that preference flows could shift the result, current figures leave little doubt: Labor’s Justine Elliot will retain the seat of Richmond.
The Ballina News Daily called the result for Ms Elliot as early as 7:30pm on Saturday night, based on strong early booth results showing a clear and consistent lead.
As of midday Monday, Ms Elliot holds a 1.63% swing in her favour on first preferences. Ms Nolan has a 1.27% swing, while Nationals candidate Kimberly Hone recorded a 1.7% swing.
Notably, the largest swing in first preferences, 3.7%, went to the Legalise Cannabis Party, suggesting a shift in voter sentiment beyond traditional party lines.
Ms Nolan’s last public statement came via Facebook on Saturday evening, shortly after polls closed.
“Whatever happens tonight, I am so proud of this moment and so grateful for the support I have received today,” Mandy Nolan said
“I will keep my promises”
Celebrating what appears to be her eighth consecutive election win, Ms Elliot yesterday told NBN News she is focused on delivering key local commitments. Among them is $1 million in funding to install security cameras in the Ballina and Lennox Head CBDs.
“This election really shows how much people wanted to have an Albanese Labor government right here on the North Coast – and right across the country,” she said.
“I know, as I talk to locals every day, they really want to see all of those things we promised. We will be delivering on all of them.”
Kimberly concedes
Kimberly Hone conceded defeat on Sunday, thanking her supporters and family.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get the result we were hoping for,” she said. “We ran an epic campaign on very little resources.”
She noted the Nationals’ Richmond campaign was one of the few in which the Coalition recorded a positive swing.
“Special thanks to my husband and my girls, who put family life on pause for six months to let mummy run a campaign,” she added.
Meanwhile, insiders at the Australian Electoral Commission’s Tweed Heads office report that counting is progressing slowly. Just six staff were on hand Monday to recheck ballots from Saturday night’s polling booth counts. Preference distribution remains several days away, with postal and absentee vote counting still to come.
The pain of defeat
Former Ballina Nationals candidate Joshua Booyens reflected on the emotional toll of political loss, recalling his own 2023 state campaign experience.
While congratulating Justine Elliot on her clear victory, he acknowledged, “Richmond had two other exceptional candidates—both of whom deserved to win, for very different reasons.
“Kimberly Hone, a hardworking young mum with her ear firmly to the ground. Mandy Nolan, a community stalwart who ran an energetic, authentic campaign.”
Booyens said the personal impact of campaigning is often underestimated.
“Losing is brutal—not just in the moment, but in the weeks that follow when the campaign winds down and the phone stops ringing,” he said.
“No one warns you that seeing a corflute months later can still make your chest tighten.”
He believes both women left a legacy that will resonate—especially among young women.
“They’ll need time, space, and kindness now. But their campaigns will ripple out further than they know.”
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