Nominations for the Federal Election 2025 were officially declared on Friday 11 April, with a total of ten candidates standing for the seat of Parkes on 3 May.

On the same day, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) drew the following order for the candidates on the ballot paper: 

• Mark Carter - Pauline Hanson's One Nation
• Stephen Pope - Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party 
• Trish Frail - The Greens
• Petrus van der Steen - Trumpet of Patriots
• Bob Wilson - Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia 
• Nathan Fell - Labor
• Jamie Chaffey - The Nationals
• Maurice Davey - Family First
• Stuart Howe - Independent
• Sally Edwards - Libertarian

Below are introductions to the five candidates who put in their nominations at the last minute. It follows our earlier articles: Labor endorses Nathan Fell as federal candidate for Parkes, and Parkes candidates so far as election is called.

Mark Carter - Pauline Hanson's One Nation

There is no public information available on Mark Carter on One Nation's website. We have reached out to Pauline Hanson's One Nation team however Mr Carter did not respond in time for deadline. 

Some of One Nation's policies include reducing immigration levels to the 20th century, banning further sale of freehold farmland to foreign investors, opposing vaccine mandates and withdrawing Australia from the United Nations 2016 Paris Climate Agreement. 

Stephen Pope - Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers (SFF) 

Stephen Pope is an Aboriginal artist and front-line care worker from Warren. He announced his candidacy for the SFF party on social media last week. 

"I'm a proud Gumbaynggirr man from the town of Nambucca Heads," Mr Pope said.

"In 2019, I supported our local candidate for the NSW state election. In 2023, I became the chair of the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers Dubbo branch. I also supported our candidate in the 2023 NSW and subsequent Dubbo city council elections.

"I'm proud to represent the only party who openly supports law-abiding firearm owners, recreational fishing, and our proud farmers. Local issues are important to me as are lowering crime rates through supporting our law enforcement, addressing the worsening housing crisis, and investing in our local roads." 

Photo: Stephen Pope

The SFF party opposes major parties comparing them to the "Coles and Woolworths of politics" 

"Our platform address the terminal decline of the forgotten Australians and communities. We are the only party fighting for freedoms, civil liberties, and lifestyles of ordinary Australians," the SFF party states as their federal policy. 

Petrus Van Der Steen - Trumpet of Patriots 

Mr Van Der Steen is a professional musician with a background in the creative, technical and security sectors. 

According to his campaign website, he will bring a "no-nonsense, solutions-focused approach to Parliament".

“Australians are crying out for leadership that understands real life - not the career politics of the Canberra bubble,” Mr Van Der Steen said.

Petrus van der Steen. Photo: Trumpet of Patriots

“Trumpet of Patriots is the real alternative to the ‘uni-party’ of Labor and the Coalition, who’ve become indistinguishable in their failure to address the core issues hurting our communities.

“I’m standing for the people of Parkes who feel forgotten, who want their country back, and who deserve a representative who’ll speak plainly, act boldly, and always put Australia first,” he said.

He ran for the United Australia Party during the 2022 and 2019 elections, earning 2.6 and 6.3 per cent respectively. 

Bob Wilson - Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia 

Bob Wilson is from Wilcannia. His father is from the Dunghutti tribe on the east coast of NSW and his mother is from the Barkindji tribe.

"Living in Wilcannia in the 50s and 60s wasn't easy, I can say that. There was lots of prejudice and a great deal of racism and discrimination but we endured it. We were taught to hold our heads high and not let the racism we experienced define us as people," Mr Wilson said in an interview on the party's website.

He grew up without electricity as one of ten children. 

"We lived off the land. If any of us kids saw a roo down the track, we'd go with the hunting dogs. We lived off the river bank because it provided us with berries, fruits, fish, kangaroos, and emus." 

Bob Wilson. Photo: Indigenous-Australia Party of Australia

Mr Wilson started working at the age of 16 and has held jobs in several industries, including as an underground miner for 15 years in Broken Hill, in steelworks in Whyalla, as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer at a school on Flinders Island, and as an employment consultant. 

The Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia's policies include protecting the waterways, giving Indigenous people control of Indigenous school education, supporting Indigenous businesses, and better housing for Indigenous people especially in regional and remote areas. 

Stuart Howe - Independent 

Mr Howe grew up in the Blue Mountains and has several family members who worked in the military. He has been self-employed for over 30 years in various industries and has experience in finance, poultry farming, large corporate retail, wholesale horticulture and other industries. 

"The broad knowledge I have gained over decades across an array of industries will be a great benefit throughout our electorate. I have visionary ideas to make change and see our electorate prosper and grow," Mr Howe said. 

Photo: Stuart Howe

Stuart Howe's policies focus on among others, the cost of living, housing crisis, real wage increase, banning mRNA vaccines, freedom of speech, the right to farm and gun laws. 

"The median income in our nation falls well short of covering basic living expenses," Mr Howe said on his website. 

"It is imperative that we address this issue.

"Being able to afford a decent life doesn't mean working more hours. It means higher pay and lower bills."

He ran in the federal election in 2022 and the state election in 2023, securing 2.3 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively. 

"I am a true independent. I have never been a member of a political party. I will work with all parties as long as it moves our country forward."