Barnaby Joyce has been the member for New England since 2013. Prior to this he was a Senator for Queensland, and an accountant. He grew up on the family property at Woolbrook (near Walcha), where he now lives, attending Riverview and going to university at UNE Armidale. He has previously served as Leader of the Nationals, Deputy Prime Minister, and as a Minister in the portfolios of Agriculture, Water, Resources, Northern Australia, Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. He is currently the Shadow Minister for Veteran’s Affairs.

Natasha Ledger is a serial independent candidate who has run in almost all the New England, Northern Tablelands, and Council elections in recent memory. She served on Uralla Shire Council from 2016-2021.

Natasha has had a varied background including landscape gardening, hospitality and running her own business. Originally from Sydney she has moved around a bit, and now lives in Bundarra. She has a number of unique policy proposals detailed on her website.

Holly Masters is the Family First Party candidate for New England. A speech pathologist and mother of two, she lives in Armidale and is active in her local church community. Masters entered politics out of concern that family values and freedom of speech are being eroded. She advocates for parental rights in education, better support for families through economic reform, and improved maternal healthcare access in regional areas. She believes Family First offers a “common sense” voice in Parliament.

Born in Taree and raised in Newcastle, Laura Hughes moved to Tamworth nearly 30 years ago, where she raised her family and dedicated her career to education and healthcare. She is a full-time primary school teacher in Tamworth, passionate about shaping young minds and supporting the next generation.

Laura was also the Labor Party candidate at the 2022 election.

Todd Juchau is a Murrurundi based security guard and former member of the Royal Australian Navy, endorsed by the new Clive Palmer party, Trumpet of Patriots. He was previously involved with the Labor Party.

Juchau is proud of his ancestry, claiming to be a decendant of Charlemagne, and the first Mayor of Murrurundi Charles Juchau, and says he is running to ‘step in to my ancestry‘.

Brent Larkham describes himself as a patriot and says he is focused on helping people with cost of living and dealing with crime in our community.

The Tamworth based musician and mechanic is involved the community radio station at Tamworth 88.9FM.