1 week Ago By Jacqueline Lynch
The federal seat of Forrest has been blue for more than half a century, but the retirement of its stalwart local member, Nola Marino, has left a power vacuum that is now the target of a well-resourced "teal" independent campaign. Independent candidate Sue Chapman has entered Forrest's political fray this election, shaking up the status quo in a historically unremarkable seat when it comes to political contests. Stay updated: Get the latest updates from the campaign trail Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on and "I genuinely think this beautiful part of the world has been ignored for way too long .
.. [and] the community sentiment is very strongly that the two-party system is no longer working," Dr Chapman said.
The contest has not gone unnoticed by the Liberal Party, which has sent a series of frontbenchers down the Forrest Highway from Perth to campaign alongside new Liberal candidate and former West Australian senator Ben Small. Peter Dutton (left) is among high-profile visitors joining Ben Small in Forrest. It began with a visit by Coalition leader Peter Dutton, followed by Liberal Indigenous Affairs spokesperson and Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor.
"I want to continue that legacy of being a very present local member," Mr Small said. Forrest stretches across WA's idyllic South West region, encompassing Bunbury and Margaret River. It was safe ground for the Liberals until the last election when a 10 per cent swing to Labor turned , in what some pundits saw as voter backlash to the lack of attention on the seat.
Dr Chapman 'not teal' Dr Chapman is one of many independent candidates across the country who have received funding support from political action group Climate 200. Sue Chapman says she is hopeful of winning the seat. As a result, Dr Chapman has been subject to Liberal Party political "attacks", despite her rejecting the idea she is a '"teal" candidate.
Flyers have been posted around the electorate warning people not to take the "risk" of voting for the independent. Dr Chapman has also been singled out in "Teals Revealed" Facebook ads, which the Liberals have spent more than $250,000 on nationwide. The Liberals are funding flyers labelling Dr Chapman a teal and ex-Green.
Dr Chapman said she was disappointed by the "attack ads" being circulated. "I am genuinely independent of any party." Dr Chapman's well-resourced campaign is backed by Climate 200.
Dr Chapman was previously a member of the Greens and campaigned to of regional project. Dr Chapman previously campaigned for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road. Mr Small defended the resources put towards ads targeting Dr Chapman, but would not be drawn on whether he was worried about losing the seat.
"Where you do have that history of activism, including getting [former Greens leader] Bob Brown over to attend protest rallies ...
you need to be clear with people," Mr Small said. "That does look and sound radical to me." Ben Small has been campaigning hard to keep the seat of Forrest.
The moment for change? Labor is also vying to fill the power vacuum left by departing incumbent Nola Marino. Labor's candidate Tabitha Dowding is the granddaughter of controversial former WA premier Peter Dowding and was just nine years old when Ms Marino was elected into parliament in 2007. Tabitha Dowding says now is the time for change.
With Ms Marino stepping back, Ms Dowding said it was the "best opportunity" for change. "It has been 17 years with Nola Marino," she said. "I really respect her and what she's done for the community but I think this is the moment to have that change.
Submit your election questions and tune in for a weekly explainer of the latest election news. Listen to ABC News Daily on ABC listen. "I think that having [candidates for the] teals, Greens, Liberal, Labor — that is healthy democracy.
" Both major parties have made significant funding promises for the region, including the Liberal Party's $16 million dollar plan for a new terminal at the Busselton Margaret River Airport and Labor's promise for a new Medicare mental health centre. What are the chances? More than 100 independents are at the 2025 federal election in a mix of and Peter Dutton's narrowly held . While it would be a "big ask" to expect a seat like Forrest to change hands, James Cook University adjunct associate professor Maxine Newlands said the electorate was vulnerable.
There was a big swing against Nola Marino and the Liberal party at the last federal election. While critics of independents and minor parties warn about the danger of a minority government, Dr Newlands said that was only one way of looking at it. Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 coverage "From a position of traditional democracy, it's a good thing because the more voices, the more ideas," she said.
"But it can slow things down, it can cause tension and it can even cause alliances and vote blocking and things like that. Maxine Newlands says seats like Forrest are "vulnerable" because of the tight margin. "It can mean that the system struggles to get policy through.
" Candidates from the Nationals, the Greens, One Nation, the Legalise Cannabis Party and Trumpet of Patriots are also contesting the seat of Forrest. A range of candidates are contesting the historically safe seat of Forrest. Having trouble seeing this form? Try .
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