We speak to the newly-elected MPs for Davidson, Manly and Wakehurst about their plans for State Parliament.
For the first time in several years, the Liberals did not retain all the Northern Beaches’ seats in the recent State Election.
Northern Beaches Council mayor Michael Regan fought a close battle to take out Wakehurst, becoming the first independent to take the seat.
Davidson was won by Matt Cross, who replaces former speaker of the NSW Parliament, Liberal Jonathan O’Dea. James Griffin retained the seat of Manly, which he has held since 2017.
The trio tell Peninsula Living what they want to achieve in parliament over the coming four years.
Manly
James Griffin, Liberal
The people of Manly made a very clear choice.
They sent a strong message that they want to continue with me as their member of parliament. The people of Manly always support a genuine community candidate with integrity, and I am so grateful they backed me again.
Main focuses include ensuring we upgrade Northern Beaches Secondary College (Balgowlah Boys campus), keeping the Fast Ferry service, building a strong and dynamic local economy and helping support the vulnerable and voiceless in our community.
Expanding the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter, getting the hospice built, upgrading local schools and supporting local groups are examples of iron-clad outcomes.
Member for Manly James Griffin celebrated his win with wife Elissa and two children.
Labor has made it clear it will be scrapping the Beaches Link tunnel and will spend the money in Western Sydney.
Thankfully, the previous Liberal Government had already started construction of the Warringah Freeway upgrade and the second Harbour crossing. These two projects will reduce congestion for commuters. I’ll be fighting to ensure we continue to get the investment in local infrastructure and services that we deserve.
Wakehurst
Michael Regan, Independent
The main concerns for Wakehurst residents include cost of living, affordable housing options, bus chaos and Lizard Rock destruction.
I have met with Minister for Transport Jo Haylen and expressed my desire to be part of the solution. Bus contracts were written to incentivise cancelling services. That is scandalous and why I called for them to be torn up or redrafted as a minimum. For goodness sake, kids can’t even get to school on time let alone get a bus to school sport.
The previous government has held us in contempt.
I am determined, along with Jo Haylen, to fix this as fast as these contracts allow us. Off-shore mining through Pep-11 will be dealt with in the short term, along with Lizard Rock. I’m working with the minister for roads Jenny Aitchison to deliver on Labor’s pledge to fast track flood proofing of Wakehurst Parkway and deal with the longer term issues of congestion. I’m working with Northern Beaches Council, and state and federal governments to deliver multiple solutions for the housing crisis. I’m also working with my colleagues on addressing solar on rooftops and allowing interest-free loans to rapidly increase the uptake, thus reducing our increasing electricity bills.
Wakehurst MP Michael Regan cannot wait to get started in parliament.
I can’t wait to get stuck into this new role and make a difference.
What I love most is that every day I learn something new about my area. I get to influence decisions for the entire community and work alongside some amazing people and collaborate.
DAVIDSON
Liberal Matt Cross
I put myself forward because I passionately believe in public service.
I won’t let you down! I look forward to being a voice in Parliament – energised to focus on public policy and reform.
As the new member for Davidson, I will hold the Labor Government to account to make sure our community is not taken for granted.
I look forward to listening and working with the community to fight for its needs and continue meeting as many constituents as I can over the next four years. I believe leadership is about solving problems, so I am passionate about my new responsibilities of being a strong local representative and voice to help individuals and our community reach their full potential.
Davidson MP Matt Cross says, “leadership is about solving problems”. Image credit: Matt Cross Facebook.
There is no substitute for hard work.
The Liberal Party is at its best when focused on representing the community, advocating our values, and fighting for the aspirations of local families and small businesses. Our government’s strong economic management allowed it to deliver education, health and transport services and infrastructure. Over the past 12 years, we saw progress across NSW and locally – from record infrastructure delivery, including our world-class Northern Beaches Hospital, to service delivery by establishing Service NSW modernising the way we interact with the government.
By Niki Waldegrave