A leader by name, nature

has had to adjust to early mornings but despite this, there don’t seem to be many photos of Ms Faith on the campaign trail that are unflattering.

The secret might be in the assortment of red and orange lipsticks – all cruelty free – which are so much a part of her look. The former Centrelink worker joked she’d bring out a line of cosmetics if she didn’t become a politician.

Ms Faith’s first name – Elida – is Finnish was selected by her great-grandmother from a book and means “leader of many men”. It has taken on new significance since she signed up as a candidate last year. She said the response to Labor had been “great … when you speak to people, not at them”.

“I noticed quite a shift when we had the leadership spill. So many people became disengaged with politics,” Ms Faith said.

At home her partner Sebastian has taken over the housework and has been packing Ms Faith a healthy lunch each day.

She has mentioned her status as a single mum almost daily and has kept an amicable relationship with daughter Tiana’s dad, even having his two younger daughters over regularly for sleepovers with their big sister.

Although Ms Faith has four small tattoos – the Japanese symbol for love, a Tibetan mantra on peace, the Thai word for equality and a series of four triangles which are also inked on the wrist of three good friends – she tried counselling her daughter against body art.

But Tiana, who is about to start a marine industry traineeship, proudly shows off an intricate moth and small wave motif on her left arm and emphatically supports her mum.

“Maybe if I was older, I would go into politics. Mum has definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone,” she said.