18-year-old among record field of candidates in crucial Cowper election fight -

By Michael Burt

BELLINGEN, NSW - The once-safe National Party stronghold of Cowper has emerged as a key battleground in the upcoming federal election, with independent challenger Caz Heise threatening to end more than a century of conservative dominance in the region.

Voters in the Bellingen shire and its neighbours could play a significant role as a key marginal seat in determining Australia’s next federal government.

Polls are pointing towards another tight race between the Labor Party and the Coalition, with just three seats separating the Albanese government from falling into minority on May 3.

The Coalition, however, faces the hurdle of a record cross bench elected in 2022 and no letup in the rise of Teal independents in 2025 that threatens once safe National Party seats like Cowper.

Cowper had rarely been in the election spotlight since its inception in 1900 until independent candidate Caz Heise almost ended the 60-year reign of the National Party in 2022.

The former nurse has transformed Cowper into a ‘teal battleground’ seat and her return in 2025 has ensured our region will feature prominently in the 2025 Federal election story.

Except for two years in the early 1960s when Labor briefly took over, Cowper has been held by members of the Nationals – or their previous iteration, the Country Party – for more than a century.

Caz Heise came within 2.4 per cent of changing that in 2022 in a narrow loss to sitting Nationals MP Pat Conaghan, placing Cowper as one of 15 marginal seats in NSW (marginal seats are defined by the AEC as those where the winning candidate takes 56% or less of the two-candidate-preferred vote).

While there are a record number of candidates for Cowper, it is widely tipped to be a close round two bout between the independent and the incumbent Nationals MP.

The Labor party, which claimed 14 per cent of the Cowper vote in 2022, has put forward longtime Coffs Coast local Greg Vigors. Mr Vigors said he would be a strong advocate for supporting small businesses, affordable housing and healthcare, and building Australia’s manufacturing capability.

Bellingen voters do have a local candidate in Wendy Firefly from the Greens, who is well known for her passion for protecting local forests, supporting first nations people and cannabis reforms.

All flavours of candidates for Cowper

Voters have a record number of candidates to choose from in 2025 with 11 people vying to represent the Cowper electorate.

The diverse bunch includes the nation’s youngest candidate in Zeke Daley from Nambucca Heads, who is standing as an Independent.

18-year-old Zeke wants to bring back manufacturing in Australia, raise the voice of First Nations Peoples, and reduce the age of voting to 16.

“Today, young people have so much access to information and are well informed. We are the ones that will carry the impact, positive or negative, of the decisions made by the government,” Zeke said.

Our region has also attracted an assorted mix of minor party candidates that range in colours from the Legalise Cannabis Party through to Trumpet of Patriots.

Legalise Cannabis Party candidate Megan Mathew said her inspiration for standing stems from becoming a legally prescribed medicinal cannabis patient in 2019 to treat CPTSD. Megan has since extended her advocacy to ending the prohibition on recreational use.

“Regulating adult social use would free up police resources to focus on serious crime rather than victimless offences,” Megan said.

Geoffry Marlow is representing the Fusion party to have a voice on building a modular renewable energy industry, addressing homelessness and youth justice issues.

The other side of the political spectrum features Peter Jackal from Family First, Geoff Shannon from Trumpet of Patriots and One Nation’s Chris Walsh.

Based in Port Macquarie, Chris Walsh says he is proud to stand with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, advocating for policies that restore local manufacturing, reduce the cost of living, and invest in renewable energy alternatives that benefit Australians.

“Our resources, our businesses, and our communities should serve Australians first. It’s time for a government that prioritises its people, not foreign interests,” Chris said.

Rounding out the eleven is Paul Templeton from the Libertarian party, which stands for individual liberty, free markets and small government.