I’ve always believed that Pittwater is a special place, a community that values its natural environment, its amazing people, and its local businesses. Recently, I’ve heard from too many families, small business owners and locals who feel like they are being left behind. The cost of living is spiralling out of control – including home insurance up 32% since 2022, our schools and hospitals need more support, Mona Vale Road has been abandoned and our environment is under threat from blanket planning laws.
As a local mum, lawyer and former small business owner and local volunteer, I understand how hard the past couple of years have been for many on the peninsula. Pittwater needs someone who is focused on what matters most to our community. We don’t need chaotic party politics, or representatives more concerned with cleaning up scandals than helping local families and businesses.
Pittwater deserves better. That’s why I’m running as a community-backed Independent in the upcoming by-election on Saturday 19 October. I am excited to have the opportunity to re-engage with the community, and my amazing supporters and volunteers, and push for a better way of doing politics and real representation for Pittwater.
After a huge 22% swing against the Liberal Party in the 2023 election, in which our community-backed campaign fell short by just 606 votes, but yielded a huge success for the community, I am excited to have the opportunity to re-engage with the community, and my amazing supporters and volunteers, and push for the change we want to see in Pittwater.
Driven by community mobilisation against PEP-11, during my last campaign I co-drafted legislation with then sitting NSW MP Justin Field MLC, to ban offshore oil and gas off NSW’s coastline. It became a political baton with both Liberal and Labor further progressing it, and is now law, historic legislation being the first state in the country to implement the ban.
As a result of competition in a once safe seat, $13 million was announced for the Wakehurst Parkway and there were backflips on Lizard Rock. If that’s what we can achieve through an election campaign, imagine what is possible with an independent representative for Pittwater on the NSW crossbench. We raised the bar that election, and it’s time to do it again.
We will be bringing a similar community-focused and positive platform and approach to this campaign, which is needed now more than ever given recent events. Even staunch Liberal voters tell me that they feel betrayed and that the party they have voted for in the past is now not only in opposition but is in chaos. What I say to these people is that I will represent them and their values with sensible-centre policies, fiercely hold the government to account, especially on overdevelopment, and deliver for our electorate. Listening to the community, and working with honesty, fairness and integrity, will be at the heart of everything I do.
For Pittwater, my priorities are clear: we need a representative who acts with integrity, taking meaningful steps on the cost of living (from sports vouchers to addressing home insurance levies), supporting our local businesses, and investing in roads and infrastructure. We also need well-funded schools and a hospital that meets the growing needs of our community.
I know how effective independent representation can be. Having worked as an advisor and campaign manager for our federal MP Dr Sophie Scamps and as a policy adviser to Zali Steggall OAM MP. I understand how to genuinely listen to the community and work with government and opposition to deliver results. I know how to get things done.
In NSW Parliament, Independents are kicking goals – passing legislation and securing wins for schools, roads and services in their community. Next door in Wakehurst, Michael Regan is achieving fantastic things. He has helped to secure a much-needed audit of the Northern Beaches Hospital, as well as more funding for local schools and improved public transport.
This is the choice facing the people of Pittwater in the 19 October by-election – a community-backed Independent who will stand up for Pittwater and both hold the minority NSW Government to account and work constructively on the issues that matter most to Pittwater. The alternative is an ineffectual opposition member who has no ability to deliver for the community.
Pittwater deserves better.
Better representation. Better infrastructure, schools and services. Better cost of living support. What can’t get much better is our beautiful natural environment – when it comes to Pittwater’s environment it’s about fierce protection and improving environmental outcomes at a state level.
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