Bugle Newsroom
20 August 2025, 11:00 PM
Three more candidates have entered the race for the Kiama by-election with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, Family First and an independent nominee throwing their hat into the ring.
They will be outsiders in the race to fill the seat vacated by jailed former independent MP Gareth Ward's resignation due to his sexual assault convictions with Labor's Katelin McInerney, Serena Copley (Liberals), independent Kate Dezarnaulds and Greens candidate Tonia Gray already on the ballot.
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers have endorsed Felix Nelson, who has spent most of his life in the electorate of Kiama where he has chosen to build his career and raise his family.
With a background as a land manager, experience in the outdoor industry, and service to Australia as a member of the Army, including a tour in Afghanistan, the Party says he brings life experience and a strong sense of duty to his community.
“This electorate is defined by its people, landscape, and the industries that sustain it, from farming and small business to tourism and recreation. My commitment is to ensure these strengths are protected and supported into the future,” he said.
“Will a local MP from the governing party take their Sydney leaders to task when the electorate needs it most?
“Kiama deserves a voice in Parliament that cannot be forced to toe the party line. Back the party that backs the regions first”.
Small businessman Kyle Napoleoni will be Family First's candidate on 13 September 13 for the state seat.
Napoleoni, who grew up in the Illawarra where he continues to live with his young family, is the grandson of Italian migrants who came to Australia to work in the steelworks.
In announcing his candidacy, he said he brings a deep appreciation for hard work, family and the blessings of our nation.
Kyle Napoleoni with his family.
A qualified boilermaker, he has worked as a coal miner and served as a project manager before operating his own small business as a video editor, giving him a direct understanding of the challenges facing small business owners.
“For me, family flourishing is mums and dads raising their kids in safety and security, free from harmful woke ideologies and government overreach,” Napoleoni said.
“That’s why I’m standing with Family First - to fight for our families, our children, and our freedoms.
“Families need champions in parliament who will not bow to political correctness or harmful ideologies. I want to be that voice for Kiama."
Family First national director Lyle Shelton said Napoleoni "represents a new generation of young families flocking to Family First because they know the major parties have let families down".
The third candidate to emerge in the lead-up to the by-election is controversial Monaro Councillor Andrew Thaler, who was recently suspended from Council due to alleged breaches of the Local Government Act.
Thaler was born in Nowra and grew up in Cambewarra where he attended primary school before going to Bomaderry High.
A self employed small businessman for over 30 years, Thaler issued a media release to say he offers the people of the Kiama electorate "fair, genuine Independent representation, with a strong desire to return lost rights and to re-open our public lands, beaches and forests for all to enjoy".
Thaler said as a married father of five children, he knows what local communities need and he is "someone who knows the earth is round and the governments’ power is limited by the people."
NEWS