Greens still undecided for Pittwater by-election
Jacqui Scruby came within 600 votes of beating Liberal Rory Amon in the seat of Pittwater in last year’s State Election.
On October 19, the independent will have another chance at the seat, following the shock resignation of Mr Amon, who is facing 10 counts of historical child sexual assault. Mr Amon denies all charges and at the time of writing was yet to appear in court.
Ms Scruby will be facing former deputy mayor Georgia Ryburn, who was ‘excited’ to have another stint at politics, after the Liberal Party failed to nominate its candidates in the recent council elections. “It’s a great opportunity to continue to serve and deliver for Pittwater,” Ms Ryburn told PL. While Ms Ryburn lives in Frenchs Forest, she said that as deputy mayor she had been ‘serving our Pittwater community, including investing in the new Warriewood Community Centre.’ “And as a mum of two struggling with the cost of living and raising my kids here on the Northern Beaches, I know exactly how our community feels and how tough they’re doing it.”
Ms Scruby, who would seek to join the nine-strong cross-bench in the NSW legislative assembly, said the by-election was an ‘opportunity to vote in an independent with influence, because the government is not going to change.’ “As an independent, I have more influence than someone in opposition who is completely ineffectual.” Ms Scruby, who has worked as an adviser to federal independents Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall, said she had ‘seen how to work with both sides of the political spectrum on particular issues that matter, and deliver.’
Ms Ryburn, who grew up around Pittwater and is a ‘fourth-generation’ Northern Beaches local, said she ‘loves this area.’ “I love this community, and I’m passionate to serve and deliver for Pittwater. Only the Liberals have a track record of standing up and delivering for Pittwater.”
While it looks like the by-election will be a two-horse race, with the ALP not running, the Greens are still ‘undecided.’ Former Greens councillor Miranda Korzy told PL that if the party runs, it will be on issues including resurrecting Pittwater Council, and making the Northern Beaches Hospital wholly public, to resolve problems such as the absence of youth mental health beds.