Who's who in the upcoming Federal election and what are they bringing to Harvey?

West Australian

28-04-2025

With the Federal election only days away, candidates from across the region have lined up to claim South West's seat of Forrest.
The seat has traditionally been a safe Liberal enclave, held by Harvey's own local icon Nola Marino since 2007, but with her retirement the seat is up for grabs with eight candidates putting vying for the position.
The seat was last won by Labor in 1969, but with only a 4.2 per cent margin from last election and a host of other candidates pushing for the job, the outcome is up in the air.
So, who's who in this year's election, and what are they bringing to the Harvey region?
Liberal Party
Coming from a family of dairy farmers in Boyanup, Ben Small said the South West is where he feels at home and is hoping to take the reins from Mrs Marino.
'I'm running in this election because I want our country to get back on track,' he said.
'My experience of small business gives me great respect for those who put it all on the line to create their own business and to employ people.
'My experience as a Senator for Western Australia gave me insight into how Canberra should work for communities like ours, but often doesn't, so I'd like to put those insights to work for our local community.'
Mr Small said if elected he will scrap the Geographe Bay Offshore Wind Farm over the environmental risks, community push-back and because the economics 'stink'.
'We will back our farmers to Keep the Sheep by overturning the ban on live exports,' he said.
'We will help build the Busselton Airport terminal for new tourism and agribusiness opportunities, and I have committed to many grassroots sporting projects as a way of teaching our kids the resilience, discipline and teamwork that sets them up in life.
In his campaign Mr Small has announced several funding pledges for the Harvey Region such as a $4 million pledge to Leschenault Park in Australind to build two new outdoor fields, equipped with LED lighting, change rooms, seating and parking.
He also announced $250,000 to the Brunswick Tennis Club to resurface the courts and install LED lighting and most recently promised $275,000 to the Binningup skate park project.
Labor
Tabitha Dowding is pitting her hand up for Forrest, to be a voice for young people in the South West.
The 27 year-old granddaughter of former WA Premier Peter Dowding, Ms Dowding said she knows first-hand what secure jobs, better healthcare, affordable housing, and a smart energy transition mean for the community.
Having worked as a school officer at the School of Isolated and Distance Education, Ms Dowding said she saw up close the barriers young people in regions face when trying to get an education.
'I am speaking to so many people across Forrest, I know that cost of living is having an impact on regional Western Australians, and young people across our State,' she said.
'The Albanese Labor Government has a real plan to deliver cost-of-living relief, build more things right here, and make housing more accessible.'
Ms Dowding said Labor would also invest into supporting local tourism.
'The South West is one of the most beautiful parts of the world – and I am so proud to be from here,' she said.
She said the Shire of Harvey is set to benefit from Labor's continued investment in strengthening Medicare with Labor committed to opening a new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Greater Bunbury and giving Eaton's existing Medicare Urgent Care Clinic a share of a $8.4 million boost to increase capacity.
Ms Dowding has also served as a policy adviser to WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis and has worked under former Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie.
'I want to be Forrest's voice in Canberra because I know that Labor doesn't just talk about the regions — we invest in them,' she said.
'It is time to make sure Forrest has a new voice to speak for the South West — and I am the best choice to be that voice.'
Independent
Sue Chapman is looking to hang up her scrubs and take on Parliament bringing the voice of locals to Canberra.
Having moved to the South West 25 years ago with her husband and two children to work as a urologist, Dr Chapman is now vying for the seat of Forrest as an independent.
'I feel it is time for the seat of Forrest to have genuine representation that is responsive to the local needs of this community,' she said.
'I'm offering true local community backed representation that does not get filtered by a party.
'I can work with either party in the long term and I can always be an advocate and voice for the seat of Forrest.'
Dr Chapman said her experience as a doctor will transfer to politics, giving her the edge to work under pressure and problem solve as she regularly does patients.
'I enjoy meeting individuals from all walks of life and connecting with their stories,' she said.
'I have a capacity for hard work, and for making decisions based on evidence.'
As an independent, Dr Chapman said she is not able to make specific election commitments during her campaign but said commitment to the electorate is to hold whichever Government is formed to the promise they have made during this campaign.
She said she would work closely with local governments to advocate for the needs of their communities.
'I will work closely with the Shire of Harvey, and they have a set of priorities that they have already determined — things they would like to promote,' she said.
Dr Chapman said the region has an 'extraordinary' amount of expertise and a huge capacity for growth.
'I want to be the person who advocates for Forrest in Canberra,' she said.
Greens
A social worker, community organiser and climate justice researcher, Georgia Beardman is committed to helping people and the planet.
A Dunsborough local with a social work degree from Edith Cowan University, Ms Beardman said she is passionate about pushing for climate action necessary to shore up the long-term sustainability of the region.
'As the climate crisis escalates, we're seeing more and more heatwaves, bushfires and droughts that are already impacting everything from pasture growth to water costs,' she said.
'Under the two major parties' total lack of meaningful climate policy, we're genuinely risking the future of local industries like citrus in Harvey and Brunswick Junction's dairy sector.'
Ms Beardman is committed to ensuring agricultural communities are supported through growing challenges and will push for a $250 million investment into sustainable farming through the Green Agriculture Australia initiative.
'The Greens are the only party fighting to break up the Coles and Woolworths supermarket duopoly that's screwing over so many farming communities,' she said.
'We're also pushing to cap the price of essential groceries to ensure families can put food on the table.
'Farmers are the beating heart of our communities.
'They literally feed all of us — but the major parties are ignoring the long-term challenges they face.'
Ms Beardman said the Shire of Harvey is experiencing some of the most rapid population growth in WA and there was a need to ensure services and infrastructure meet the increase in demand.
'Data shows that people living in the Shire of Harvey experience mental health challenges at a rate higher than the regional average,' she said.
'We need better mental health services, and we need them to be available for free under Medicare, for everyone.
'The Greens will always put the needs of the community first.'
Nationals
After an attempt at State politics, Cam Parsons is throwing his hat into the fight for Forrest.
Growing up in the Wheatbelt, Mr Parsons shifted into the South West in 2008 and now finds himself in Roelands.
'I wouldn't live anywhere else, it's bloody brilliant,' he said.
Mr Parsons said he will bring his willingness to fight for local issues to the halls of Parliament making sure local voices are heard.
'That's what I'm about, I want to fight and make sure our locals, our local businesses, our local families and our local farmers are heard,' he said.
'That's what the Nationals are about looking after our communities and making our regions a better place.'
Mr Parsons said he is willing to stand up for the region and what he believes in if elected.
'I might get in trouble occasionally for not following party lines,' he said.
'But if I can convince the party that this is the best thing to do, that is what I'm about.
'I'll have a shouting match with anyone if I think it's the right way to go.'
As a farmer, Mr Parsons said he is committed to protecting the livelihood of those on the land in the region who he said have been 'neglected' by both the State and Federal Labor governments.
Mr Parsons said he also and wants to help ease the cost of living.
'If you want to support our local farmers, our local communities, our regions in WA, our farmers, our truck drivers, our shearers, our stock agents, we need to keep the sheep,' he said.
'I will fight to keep the sheep and stand up for our farmers, including continuing to fight for a South West Agribusiness Precinct that I committed to during the State election.'
One Nation's Paul Van Der Mey, Legalise Cannabis candidate Aaron Peet and Trumpet of Patriots candidate Peter Greenland are also running for the Seat of Forrest.