The stakes are high this Federal Election, with the ALP seeking a second term, and the Liberal Party hoping to keep Anthony Albanese as a one-term prime minister. With the seat of North Sydney abolished, voters have been reallocated to Bradfield or Warringah. At the time of writing, the election had not been called – but is expected to be held in early May.
Candidates are as declared at the time of print before nominations opened. A longer version of this feature will be published at northsidelivingnews.com.au once the election is called.
BRADFIELD
Suburbs which have moved from North Sydney into Bradfield: Artarmon, Castle Cove, Chatswood East, Naremburn, Northbridge, St Leonards, Willoughby
The Liberals have held Bradfield since the seat’s inception, currently held by retiring MP Paul Fletcher. With the redistribution of seats in NSW, ABC chief election analyst Antony Greene says the Liberals hold Bradfield by 2.5%. The electorate has taken in 33,000 voters from the top of the former North Sydney seat, including St Leonards, which is being transformed by high rise development. It extends to North Turramurra.
NICOLETTE BOELE | Independent
My focus is on bringing down the cost of living and ensuring our economy is strong, so families have choice, businesses thrive, and hard work is rewarded. I am running because the major parties are failing this country by refusing to address fundamental challenges like affordable housing, tax reform and climate change. People in Bradfield deserve representatives who spend less time playing political games, and more time coming up with serious, evidence- based policies to improve this country. My main policies are a universal child care guarantee fixing the price at $10 a day; changing the definition of small business to those with fewer than 25 employees, and cutting red tape and simplifying taxes on small businesses; and expanding home battery and storage programs to bring down electricity costs. I have worked for decades in clean energy finance and policy development. My commitment has always been to deliver economic growth that benefits people and the environment. In Parliament I will work with all parties and independent MPs to deliver decisions that are in the national interest. People in Bradfield know I stand for sensible, evidence-based policy that benefits all of us. That’s the power of being an independent – I can work across the aisle and make progress on areas like climate and housing where the major parties have lagged for decades. If elected I will bring these values to negotiations on all issues, including the formation of government.
GISELE KAPTERIAN | Liberal Party
Under this Labor Government, I hear too often stories of the barriers and obstacles holding people back. From housing to energy, aged care to child care – Australians are priced out of choice and the quality of life their hard work has earned them. We are experiencing the largest fall in living standards in history under Labor. Small businesses are shutting up shop at unprecedented rates, shedding jobs, and leaving empty shells in the fabric of our local communities. I’m running to be a strong voice for our local community at a time when the challenges our nation faces are complex and immediate. Whether it be managing energy transition in an affordable and sustainable way, reducing wasteful spending, incentivising people and business to invest and produce, addressing the housing crisis, or managing the increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape, we need people with experience who can deliver in Canberra. A vote for the Teals will only lead to three more years of Labor. I also know how to get things done in Canberra, as an international trade lawyer who worked as an adviser to three federal cabinet ministers. If elected I will fight to lift the economic burden that has decimated household and business budgets over the past three years. A vote for anyone else will deliver another three years of Labor, and three more years of economic mismanagement would be a disaster for Bradfield. I’ve heard stories from all ends of this electorate about the cost of living crisis, like the small business whose energy bill has more than tripled per quarter, or the young families whose parents work full time in good jobs who struggle to pay the mortgage and child care at the same. These stories have only motivated me to fight harder to ensure we bring in a Liberal government at the next election.
LOUISE MCCALLUM | Australian Labor Party
I decided to run in this election because of my growing frustration during the Liberal Government’s tenure in the 2010s, marked by inaction on climate change, affordable housing, and health, coupled with scandals and divisiveness. The Labor Government’s arrival in 2022 brought hope with real policies on education, health, energy transition, and working conditions. The possibility of a Liberal return has motivated me to act. Labor is focused on delivering for the next generation a renewables-led sustainable future, already underway with 40% renewables providing energy; constructing a stronger education system that empowers everyone; and supporting a robust, healthy economy that generates opportunities for our children. My background is in recruitment, which is all about listening to my candidates, understanding their story and representing them – so I would bring to Federal Parliament experience as a professional listener and advocate. The main issues for Bradfield voters are health, education, cost of living and climate issues. In health, the Albanese Labor Government has promised that 9 out of 10 visits to the doctor will be free by 2030 and that the number of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will continue to grow (including one planned for Chatswood). Of special interest to the people in Bradfield is the fact that under Liberals real wages fell in their last five quarters in a row. Under Labor real wages have risen in the same time. The transition to clean energy and renewables is important and we’re proud to be on track for 82% of renewables in the energy grid by 2030, and to have installed a community battery in nearby Cammeray.
HARJIT SINGH | Australian Greens
I am deeply concerned about the future we are leaving for our children. I want to create a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive society that ensures a better quality of life for all. Many families in Bradfield are struggling with rising costs. I will advocate for policies that ease households’ financial burden, ensuring everyone can afford the basics, and push for progressive taxation and expanded public services to ease the financial burden on low and middle-income households. Climate change is the defining issue of our time. I will push for urgent action to protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future for our children. The housing crisis affects us all. I will work towards policies that make housing more affordable and accessible for everyone. With postgraduate qualifications in economics and planning, alongside extensive experience in data-driven decision-making and strategic planning, I am well-equipped to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. I am actively engaged in grassroots sports, environmental activism, heritage language teaching, and charitable causes. These commitments have given me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by local communities. Peter Dutton’s leadership would take Australia backwards, while Labor has failed to make bold changes where they are needed. A vote for the Greens ensures we push Labor to take real action on essential issues—like environmental concerns, expanding Medicare to include dental care and tackling cost-of-living and the housing crises. In the case of a minority government, the Greens will never use our numbers to support Peter Dutton as prime minister. We will push Labor to do more to reduce the cost of living, the cost of housing and education.
ANDY LIN | Independent
I am running as an Independent to give Bradfield a real choice at this election. My policies are focused on ensuring that the people and businesses of Bradfield are supported so we are best positioned to overcome the challenges that we face into the future. As a senior executive at a renowned hospitality enterprise, and having held senior advisory roles in both state and federal governments, I have extensive expertise in entrepreneurship and government. Voters are impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and housing security crisis. Many are also concerned about their long-term career and job security in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. Housing is my immediate priority. Every Australian should have security and confidence in their living situation. Australia must explore new potential housing models in construction and living that increase efficiency, provide more choice, and reduce cost. Our immigration system must work for the benefit of Australia and for all Australians. There is no doubt that our immigration system needs to be reformed. We must focus on ensuring that Australia attracts and secures the brightest minds and best talent. I will fight to increase the allocation of federal funds to NSW for the purpose of building more schools and education facilities in Bradfield. Government must explore how the opportunities from the rapid advancement of AI can be used in schools for students and teachers. It is critical that we ensure that Australian workers have new opportunities as they upskill themselves throughout their professional careers in a flexible way.
WARRINGAH
Suburbs which have moved from North Sydney into Warringah: Cremorne, Cammeray, Crows Nest, Waverton, Neutral Bay, Kirribilli, North Sydney, Lavender Bay
Warringah has been held by Independent Zali Steggall since 2019. From Wollstonecraft, it crosses over the Warringah Freeway, goes through the Spit and extends east all the way to Curl Curl on the Northern Beaches. The Harbour electorate hosts one of the most congested roads in Sydney – Military Road – and is undergoing major construction with the dual projects of the freeway extension, and Western Harbour Tunnel, which North Sydney Council says will cause major traffic congestion once complete.
BONNIE HARVEY | Australian Greens
I am running in this election because I am concerned about the crisis of housing affordability, cost of living and climate action. The Australian people and environment could thrive in harmony, rather than battling for survival. The Greens’ policy platform has been thoroughly researched and costed, and my favourites include stopping the billions in handouts to fossil fuel corporations and tackling the climate crisis; expanding Medicare to include diagnosis of ADHD and autism, mental health, and dental care; and making supermarket price gouging illegal. As the current youngest woman ever elected to Northern Beaches Council, I am already deeply engaged with the community and issues we face. I also offer my experience as a scholar, an educator, small business owner, and a performer. I am passionate about our local creative economy and engaging young people in politics. The key issues for Warringah are addressing housing affordability, cost of living and climate action. The Greens would create a more equitable housing market by limiting rental increases, building public housing and regulating the big banks to take the pressure off mortgages. We would tackle cost of living policies by wiping student debt, bringing back free GPs and universal free childcare. We would take bold climate action and tackle the insidious corruption associated with coal and gas industries in Australia, creating new jobs within a reliable, publicly- owned energy grid. In the event of a hung parliament, our Greens MPs would be bargaining hardest for inclusion of dental and mental health into Medicare, and meaningful action on climate and housing reform.
JAIMEE ROGERS | Liberal Party
I want to strengthen our economy and get Warringah and our country back on track, as I see households and businesses struggling under the Labor cost of living crisis. With so many people doing it tough, I am fighting to deliver a Liberal Government that will deal with the out of control inflation and help to ease the burden that people are forced to deal with. Only by electing a Liberal in Warringah will we be able to ensure there’s not another three years of Anthony Albanese and Labor. The Liberals have a plan to get inflation under control, deliver cheaper energy, and more affordable homes. I’d like to see congestion addressed on Military Road and the Spit Bridge by bringing the Beaches Link back onto the agenda. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, creating local jobs and supporting the community, but more than 26,000 have collapsed under Labor. The Liberals have a plan to boost small business by cutting red tape, reducing compliance, and encouraging entrepreneurship. A Liberal Government will restore the Better Access Scheme, with 20 subsidised Medicare sessions with a mental health professional; reversing Labor’s cuts. My media career has given me the skills to stand up for this community and advocate hard on their behalf, and my passion for this community will help fuel my advocacy for the infrastructure and services we need. Only the Liberal Party can deliver an end to the Labor Government and its economic mismanagement – and only a Liberal representative would have a seat at the table and be able to deliver for the community.
ZALI STEGGALL | Independent
It’s been an honour to serve the people of Warringah as their MP since 2019, and while we’ve achieved a lot, there’s more to do. I’m focused on smart policies that provide solutions to key challenges – including supporting families and small businesses with the cost of living, more affordable housing and mitigating rising climate risks. And I’ll continue to fight for sensible economic policy and greater integrity in politics.My platform is about making Australia: safe: shielding communities from climate risks, scams, domestic violence, hate and discrimination; supported: reducing cost of living, advocating for affordable housing, and securing effective healthcare, NDIS and aged care services; and strong: re-energising our economy, focusing on the skills and industries of the future and improving integrity in politics and government decision-making. As a barrister and Olympian, I bring integrity, discipline and determination. I have a strong track record working with all sides of Federal Parliament to improve legislation and drive action on areas important to the Warringah community. In the case of a minority government, I will act in the best interests of Warringah. I’ll also be looking for those I can trust to act in good faith and ensure stability. To do this, I’ll consider the overall numbers in both houses of Parliament, whether voters have clearly rejected one party over the other, and the ability to maintain momentum on key policy areas for Warringah. This is not a US-style presidential election, so I’ll look beyond the party leader to also assess the strength of each side’s team – and their capacity and capability to deliver sound policy. I consider legislation on its merits and seek to represent the views of the Warringah community. I do this by holding community forums, door knocking, community meet and greets, surveys and meeting with constituents. It’s also important to engage with stakeholder groups and academics to hear about best practice and solutions that have worked.
WARRINGAH – FAST FACTS
The seat of Warringah covers some of the most affluent suburbs in Sydney, including Mosman and Kirribilli. It takes in a lot of Sydney Harbour, including North Head and Balmoral. It was always a safe Liberal seat until Independent Zali Steggall famously defeated former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2019, and now holds Warringah by an 11% margin.
- Median age: 40
- Median family weekly income: $3,643
- Newstart and Jobseeker recipients: 5.3%
- Top place of birth (excluding Australia): England
- Occupation: 38% professionals
- Mortgage affordability: Majority of repayments are less than or equal to 30% of household income