The stakes are high this Federal Election, with the ALP seeking a second term, and the Liberal Party hoping to make Anthony Albanese a one-term prime minister. Since the last election in 2022, there has been a redistribution of seats in NSW, with Mackellar now taking in 15,300 voters from Warringah. At the time of writing, the election had not been called – but is expected to be held in early May. Compiled by Editor in Chief Michelle Giglio.
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.
WARRINGAH
Suburbs which are no longer in Warringah and now form part of Mackellar: Dee Why South, North Curl Curl, Dee Why North, Forestville, Killarney Heights, Frenchs Forest, Oxford Falls
Warringah has been held by Independent Zali Steggall since 2019. From Wollstonecraft on the North Shore, it crosses over the Pacific Highway, goes through the Spit and extends all the way to Beacon Hill in the north, and Curl Curl in the east. Major issues include lack of infrastructure including buses for the State Government’s planned higher housing density on the Northern Beaches, and traffic congestion for those travelling south through Mosman.
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.
MACKELLAR
Independent Sophie Scamps won this former blue-ribbon seat from the Liberals in 2022 by the narrowest of margins. Dr Scamps got a tiny uptick following the 2024 redistribution, where she gained voters from fellow Independent Zali Steggall, so her margin has increased slightly from 2.5% to 3.3%. The seat is known for its surf beaches in the east, and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the west.
JAMES BROWN | LIBERAL PARTY
Australia isn’t heading in the right direction at the moment and I believe we can lift our country to do better. At the moment I see so many people in our Northern Beaches community doing it tough, so many small businesses struggling and I want to be able to fight in Canberra to help those people. The country has to change and only a Liberal government can do that.
The Liberals will restore responsible economic management. I’ll work with our Liberal team to fix the economy and reduce inflation which will ease the burden on everyday expenses. We have to reduce out of control cost of living pressures, driven by Anthony Albanese government’s excessive spending and economic mismanagement. We will secure investment in key local infrastructure, our community facilities and roads which have been left to run down. And we will return to responsible levels of immigration into Australia, ensuring that immigration keeps balance with infrastructure and housing.
As an officer of the Australian Army I led Australian soldiers in three different conflict zones. As president of the NSW RSL, I led a transformation of that charity which cleaned out corruption and restored good governance, as well as boosting frontline mental health and housing services. Before putting my hand up to run for Mackellar I was the CEO of Space Industry of Australia, leading 70 space industry businesses working on cutting edge technology to deliver services from and in space.
As part of a strong Liberal team in Canberra I’ll be able to get things done to make life easier for our households and businesses by helping to lower inflation, with cuts to wasteful spending, reduction in tax and red tape, delivering cheaper energy, and more investment in our roads and infrastructure.
ETHAN HRNJAK | AUSTRALIAN GREENS
I’m running to provide a strong progressive voice in Mackellar. I’m the only local candidate offering genuine, concrete and visionary solutions to the issues we face. Instead of marching to the neoliberal drumbeat of tax cuts and deductible lunches for businesses, I know that we need real, community-focused policy in this country again if we want to counter the rise of the far-right.
Make billionaires and the big corporations that profit from price- gouging pay their fair share of tax to fund policies that we all benefit from and reduce inequality. Address the cost of living and housing crises by capping home mortgage interest rates at 1%, stop unlimited rent increases, make GP visits completely free and wipe all student debt. Protect the environment and climate by making Australia a renewable superpower, introducing strong environmental laws to protect our native species and ending native forest logging.
I consider my experience as a young person a superpower. It enables me to speak with first-hand knowledge of the inequality that young people face and their needs. Elevating young voices to the decision making table provides more diversity and representation from which we all benefit. That’s what I’ve been doing as a local councillor, where I’ve stood with the community against inappropriate development and on issues such as tree canopy loss.
As a Greens MP on the crossbench, I will be in a unique position to negotiate for the people of Mackellar with the strength of our other Greens in Parliament. I will advocate for housing reforms, like the Greens proposal to create a public property developer; universal free GP visits as well as inclusion of dental and mental health in Medicare; cost of living relief such as 50 cent public transport fares across the whole country; and subsidies for solar and batteries as conditions of my support.
We have always been open to working with any political party to deliver real action on climate and inequality, but Peter Dutton’s Liberals have made it clear they are the party of climate wreckers, big business and the top end of town. However, in the event of a hung parliament, we would consult and negotiate with all political groups before deciding whether we would support a minority government. The Greens would be looking to support a government pushing to go harder and faster on confronting the climate crisis, cost of living relief, universal free health care and education, as well as housing reform.
The low down on the Federal Election
Federal Elections are held every three years, and the 2025 one is due by 17 May. The lead up to the election – called the campaign – must be at least 33 days. So that is how long you will have to listen to all the political messages which will begin bombarding the airwaves, networks and newspapers.
All Australian citizens aged 18 and over must vote, so it is a good time to update your enrolment details if you have moved, or enrol for the first time. You can vote by post, but you must have a good reason – for example, if you have a disability, are frail or have a medical condition. The application process is online through the Australian Electoral Commission. Many people these days also choose to vote early by pre-poll, which will start two weeks before the election. The AEC also needs lots of people to work at the election, so if you are keen, see their website.
Australian Electoral Commission: aec.gov.au
JEFFREY QUINN | AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
Mackellar has been taken for granted by the Liberals for too long. We’ve seen the neglect of public services, outdated infrastructure, and policies that have left too many young, vulnerable and aging people struggling. I’ve lived in Mackellar for 66 years – my family has been here since before Federation. I have operated businesses in Artarmon, Chatswood, Frenchs Forest and Mona Vale for 28 years, supporting local families through education. This is my home, and I can’t see it being ignored. It’s time for authentic representation that puts our community first, not political complacency, nuclear fantasy or simply occupying the cross-bench.
Strengthening Medicare and public health services. I will work closely with State and Local governments to ensure Mackellar has the best possible health services, including emergency, palliative, aged care, mental health and maternity services. Investing in clean energy and local jobs – electrifying Mackellar by expanding battery storage, micro-grids for homes and businesses. Supporting families, students and seniors – free TAFE, lower student debt, better support for newcomers to improve their English skills, and ensuring pensions are protected and available for all who need it.
I am not a career politician. I am an educator, business owner, and community advocate. I have taught in local schools and successfully run businesses, dedicated to helping local students thrive through my tutoring and mentoring. I understand what it takes to create jobs, manage finances, and improve services – something Mackellar desperately needs. I understand the challenges workers and employers face. I am committed to policies that support local businesses, strengthen education and health services, and provide real opportunities for our community.
Mackellar voters have told me they want real change after decades of Liberal neglect and complacency. I will deliver: world-class health services, working across all levels of government to expand access to emergency care, aged care, maternity, and mental health support. Climate action that benefits our community includes cheaper energy, no nuclear power, and investment in battery storage and microgrids with the necessary generation means, including solar, tidal, and innovative small wind modules. Sports and recreation upgrades include building more courts and facilities for indoor sports like netball and basketball. Economic growth and jobs, encouraging technology and clean energy businesses to locate in Mackellar, leveraging our micro-grids and lower power costs.
To see a full list of candidates once nominations have opened, go to northsidelivingnews.com.au
SOPHIE SCAMPS | INDEPENDENT
I’ve been part of our Northern Beaches community for more than 25 years as a doctor, mother, keen sportsperson and now as your independent MP for Mackellar. My commitment to Mackellar comes from a great love for it and a strong sense that our community deserves a strong voice in Canberra. My kids went to local schools, joined Little Athletics, Nippers and more. As a GP I’ve treated our children’s flus and fevers, and as an emergency doctor I’ve cared for people in crisis at Mona Vale Hospital. I’ve been part of the highs and lows and everyday lives of so many local people. I understand our challenges, our values and our way of life.
I’ve spent my first term fighting for cost-of-living relief, greater support for business, stronger climate policy, and honest politics. Locally, I’ve had several major wins including helping to end the licence to drill for oil and gas off our coastline, and successfully advocating for a performance audit of the Northern Beaches Hospital. Most recently, I secured a commitment for an Urgent Care Clinic in Dee Why, and a new youth mental health hub in Brookvale. Now I’m leading the fight to return our hospital to public hands.
I’ve also taken fresh, commonsense ideas to Parliament, leading calls for a tax-free threshold for small business, an end to gambling and junk food advertising, and subsidises for household batteries to reduce electricity prices. In Parliament, I’ve also had big wins. With my ‘ending jobs for mates’ bill, I set a precedent in gold standard appointment processes, and strengthened protections for our rivers from gas fracking. My team in the electorate office are compassionate and fierce advocates, helping our residents with struggles with the NDIS, ATO, passports, visas and more.
I’ve been clear and consistent in my policy priorities, which come directly from listening to the people of Mackellar. No matter what the make-up of the Parliament is – the people of Mackellar can rest assured I will stay true to our values, every time. Many voters may not realise that I do not have to enter an agreement with either side, but can continue to vote on each piece of legislation on its merits, so I stay independent and true to my community. This is the true power of an independent and is what I will aim to do.