In the south of the ACT lies the electorate of Bean.
Named after official correspondent to the Australian Imperial Force in World War I, Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean, the electorate covers 1,913 square kilometres of the ACT in total.
The division includes areas within Canberra like Tuggeranong, Stromlo and parts of Weston Creek, Woden and Molonglo Valley. It also covers Booth, Coree, the Cotter River, Mount Clear, Paddy’s River, Rendezvous Creek, Tennent and Jerrabomberra in wider ACT, as well as Norfolk Island.
The seat of Bean in the House of Representatives is currently held by the Australian Labor Party’s David Smith who has been the MP since 2019.
Mr Smith is currently the Secretary of Labor’s Caucus Committee on Education, Science Research and the Arts, as well as the Co-Chair of Parliamentary Friends of the Capital Region, and Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management. He is standing for re-election on Saturday.
The contenders
Running against the incumbent are candidates from a range of other parties, along with one high profile independent.
Jane Hiatt (Liberal Party)
Jane Hiatt is a small business owner, linguist, naval servicewoman, educator and ultra-marathon runner who is passionate about young people.
Kathryn Jane Savery (The Greens)
Kathryn Jane Savery is an accountant and artist who has spent her career helping businesses manage their finances.
Sean Conway (United Australia Party)
Sean Conway is an ex-public servant who works in service delivery and management roles.
Jamie Christie (Independent)
After a surprisingly strong run at the 2019 Federal Election, Jamie Christie is having another go at switching to Parliament after a long career as a doctor.
Read The Owl‘s Q&A with Jamie Christie.
Benjamin Ambard (One Nation)
The final remaining candidate is Benjamin Ambard who is representing Pauline Hansen’s One Nation.