Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro Fiona Kotvojs has downplayed the significance of drawing last place on the crowded ballot paper, saying it doesn't make a difference.
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The Australian Electoral Commission conducted the ballot draw on Wednesday afternoon, with 14 candidates confirmed for the byelection to be held on July 4.
"I don't think it really makes any difference where you go on the ballot paper," Dr Kotvojs said.
"The key thing is that people in Eden-Monaro have a choice, this is a really critical choice to make, we are rebuilding and they need to have a strong voice, they need to have that in government and I bring that strong voice."
Preferences to the Liberals will be a key issue, with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party's Matthew Stadtmiller taking out top spot and the Nationals' Trevor Hicks fourth on the ballot. Neither party has yet made a commitment about where their preferences will go.
Dr Kotvojs said she hadn't yet spoken to the parties about preferences, and said "no doubt that will happen at some point" but it wasn't her focus.
Labor's Kristy McBain is eighth on the ballot paper.
The byelection was triggered by the resignation of Labor MP Mike Kelly due to health issues.
Dr Kelly held the seat by just 0.9 per cent at the 2019 election, only 1685 votes ahead of Dr Kotvojs, who is running for the second time.
The wide field of candidates includes many representatives who live outside the electorate, including in Canberra and Sydney.
Some candidates are listed as independents but have been associated with parties at previous elections or are aligned with parties that are yet to complete their full registration.
The ballot draw in Queanbeyan included the usual blindfolded drawing of numbered balls, but with added protocols for COVID-19 including social distancing where possible and frequent use of hand sanitiser.
Early voting in the byelection starts on Monday before polling day on July 4.
Unlike in previous years where the Australian Electoral Commission has advised against having elections or byelections during school holidays, this time the decision was made to hold the poll on the first Saturday of the school holidays to allow for cleaning of polling places, many of which are schools.
Candidates
- Matthew Stadtmiller, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
- James Jansson, Science Party
- Michael Balderstone, (HEMP) Party
- James Holgate, Independent
- Trevor Hicks, The Nationals
- Dean McCrae, Liberal Democrats
- Joy Angel, Sustainable Australia
- Kristy McBain, Labor Party
- Riccardo Bosi, Independent
- Karen Porter, Independent
- Cathy Griff, The Greens
- Narelle Storey, Christian Democratic Party
- Jason Potter, Australian Federation Party
- Fiona Kotvojs, Liberal Party