About Wendy

Wendy wants to be part of a government that cares about our health, our environment and better opportunities for regional communities.

Wendy Backhous will be the strong, compassionate voice we need in Page. As a mother and grandmother, she knows what a critical election this will be for Australia’s future. She wants to be part of a government that cares about our health, our environment and better opportunities for all of us in regional communities.

Wendy’s long career in regional and remote health has shown that only Labor governments can deliver for the regions. Regional communities depend on the accessible and affordable health services that only Labor can deliver.

She knows just how much we all care about our environment, clean energy and taking positive steps on climate change.

As a volunteer for SES with practical experience, Wendy knows we need to continue to build resilience and plan better for natural disasters. She understands how critical disaster response is to her community.

Wendy is ready to work with you to build a better future for Page.

HOW TO VOTE

Campaign News

More than 1,100 North Coast jobs at risk under Coalition

More than 1,100 public services jobs, many of which are in Page, face an uncertain future if a Coalition government is elected next month.

The Australian Public Service Employment Database 2024 shows that 1,138 public service jobs are based between Coffs Harbour and the Queensland border, many in Page communities such as Lismore, Grafton and Casino.

Ms Backhous said the people of Page should be deeply concerned about Coalition policy to axe 41,000 public service jobs , either directly or through attrition. There could be significant implications for local jobs and services in Page.

“These people provide vital services to Page and make a significant economic contribution to our local communities,” said Ms Backhous.

“They provide services to people with disabilities, veterans and families who are doing it tough. They also have their own families to look after, and many are women working from home – another target of the Coalition’s job slashing policies.”

Services Australia Service Centres alone have hundreds of daily interactions with people in the community including on average:

74 in Casino,
107 in Grafton, and
118 in Lismore.

Ms Backhous’s 30-year career in regional and remote health means she is dedicated to affordable health care and community services in regional communities.

A mother of two children and grandmother of three, Ms Backhous said she was standing because she believes this is a critical election for families in Page and wants to make a difference.

“I will work hard to protect federal public service jobs in Page that are under threat if a Dutton government is elected, along with the critical services that the public sector provides for our region,” said Ms Backhous.

Albanese Government backs pay rise for award workers

The Albanese Labor Government is backing a pay rise for low paid workers in the Northern Rivers to help with the cost of living.
The Government has made a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) recommending they award an economically sustainable real wage increase to workers on award wages.

This will help around three million workers across the country, including cleaners, retail workers and early childhood educators.

A decision on the 2025 Award is expected in early June 2025, with an operative date of 1 July 2025 for any wage increase granted.

Previous recommendations regarding the real wages of low paid workers have helped secure an increase in the National Minimum Wage by around $7,500 a year.

Ms Backhous said “A sustainable increase to award wages will ensure low-paid workers can get ahead while inflation continues to slow down.

“It will be particularly important to people in the Northern Rivers – especially young workers, and workers in the care economy.”

“The Federal electorate of Page was rated 144th out of 151 for median household income.

“Our region has a high number of people on low incomes, so the cost-of-living crisis is hurting us hard.

“That’s why it is so critical for our political representatives to advocate for fair pay rises, and to support flexible work arrangements that allow people to juggle work and family commitments.”

Politics in the Pub
Renewable Energy - Nuclear Energy

Thursday 10 APRIL, 6 for 7:15 PM
CIVIC HOTEL, LISMORE
Invited speakers include:
Kevin Hogan (Nationals), Luke Robinson (Greens), Wendy Backhous (Labor), Elly Bird (Resilience Lismore), Mark Pestel.

Moderated by Jenny Dowell

Would you like to speak for 5 minutes? Contact Ron on 0421 668 398

Wendy backhous announced as labor candidate for page

Former health worker and local State Emergency Services (SES) volunteer Wendy Backhous is confirmed as the Australian Labor Party’s candidate for the electorate of Page in the 2025 Federal Election.

Enrol to Vote

If you want to make a difference at this year’s Federal election, then you must be correctly enrolled by 8pm local time Monday 7 April 2025.

Go to https://www.aec.gov.au/enrol/ to get on the electoral roll!