Nine candidates have been allocated their place on the ballot papers for the federal election, with Labor candidate Mike Kelly settling in last place.
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The ballots are set to be distributed throughout the Eden-Monaro electorate for early votes to be cast from Tuesday.
At the early voting centre in Queanbeyan at midday on Friday, June 10, nine small white numbered balls were placed in a bingo-like game wheel to decide the order on the ballot paper.
Incumbent Member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy will appear at number five on the ballot paper. Labor candidate Mike Kelly, who was not present to watch the draw, will appear at number nine.
Divisional returning officer Allan Wilcox said the order was established through a double randomisation method.
On the first draw, candidates were given a number according to when their application was received. The second draw was to allocate their place on the ballot paper.
Liberal Member for Eden Monaro Peter Hendy said the draw was a small but important part of democracy.
“We found out for the first time that there are nine candidates in Eden-Monaro, that is a lot of people, I think it is one or two more than last time,” Dr Hendy said at the event.
He said the Liberal party was “quietly confident” about winning both the Eden-Monaro bellwether seat and the national office at the election.
Labor candidate Mike Kelly, who was campaigning in Yass at the time of the ballot draw, said the order wouldn’t be a “significant factor” to legitimate voters.
“In one sense, it might make it easier for people who want to vote for me,” Mr Kelly said.
“As long as people remember to number all the boxes.”
He said he felt constituents were “really taking an interest in local issues” in this election campaign.
“They’re also very clearly focusing on the candidates themselves,” he said.
The election will take place on July 2.
The ballot paper will read as follows:
- Daniel Grosmaire, Independent
- Ursula Bennett, Christina Democratic Party
- Don Friend, Veterans Party
- Ray Buckley, Independent
- Peter Hendy, Liberal
- Tamara Ryan, Greens
- Frankie Seymour, Animal Justice Party
- Andrew Thaler, Independent
- Mike Kelly, Labor