Elouise Massa gives evidence over death of son Joe
Elouise Massa took a pause from her campaign to win the seat of Manly at next year’s State Election to give evidence at the coronial inquest into the death of her son Joe.
Ms Massa recently announced her campaign to run for Parliament, two years on from Joe’s death in September, 2024 at Northern Beaches Hospital, due to failures in care at its emergency department.
The inquest was conducted over a week from 21 to 25 September before State Coroner Judge Teresa O’Sullivan into the manner of Joe’s death, with evidence from nurses and doctors working on the day the toddler was admitted. Ms Massa also gave evidence.
At the time Joe died, private operator Healthscope was administrator of the emergency department, under a public-private partnership (PPP) with the State Government. Campaigning by Elouise and husband Danny resulted in two parliamentary inquiries into operations at Northern Beaches Hospital, and ultimately the government outlawed any future PPPs. Healthscope decided to terminate its contract 12 years early and the hospital was taken over by NSW Health in April this year.
Ms Massa told PL that she was nominating as an independent MP to take the community’s voice directly to Parliament. “People told me to keep going,” Ms Massa said. “I owe it to the community. It’s my way of saying thank you for backing Danny and I through our campaigns. They need an independent voice.”
The North Balgowlah resident is a former broadcast journalist who runs public relations firm Ardent Communications with husband Danny. She told PL that once the hospital handover occurred in April, she had time to reflect on where to take her campaigning energy.
“I’ve got a lot of fire. I’m not that person I was before Joe died. Creating meaningful change has become a vocation. As a person, I’m called to service.”
The blue-ribbon seat of Manly has been held for a decade by Liberal James Griffin, who has announced he will retire and not contest the March State Election. The strongest challenger against Mr Griffin in the 2023 State Election was Independent Joeline Hackman, with a 7.6% swing against the incumbent.
Former NSW public servant Adelaide Cuneo will be the Liberal candidate. A lifelong Manly local, Ms Cuneo works for an environmental not-for-profit, driving more affordable energy.
“Under this Labor Government, we’ve seen record numbers of small and family businesses close, losing countless local jobs,” Ms Cuneo said. “Our economy has gone from first to last, and household budgets are at breaking point. “Only Liberals can put an end to Labor’s mismanagement.”
Ms Massa’s main campaign priority is protecting safe access to public healthcare, with private services for those who choose them. “I’ve seen what happens when nobody is held accountable and I’ve seen what can happen when a community demands better,” Ms Massa said.
As a small business owner, Ms Massa said more needed to be done to help with the combined pressures of cost-of-living, child care and transport, and running a business. “We live in one of the best parts of NSW,” Ms Massa said. “But the pressures are real: cost of living and doing business, housing and development, and congestion on roads that haven’t kept pace.”
Ms Massa has been out campaigning on the Northern Beaches, and said on socials she looked forward to meeting ‘hundreds’ of people in the community. “I want to take your issues to Macquarie St and use the same determination that I’ve harnessed over the last two years achieving major healthcare reforms, and continue on that journey of advocacy.”
