The stakes are high this Federal Election on 3 May, 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.
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.
CELINE VARGHESE-FELL | Australian Labor Party
I have been a member of the Labor Party since the early 2000s, and I’m running in this Federal Election to ensure that we are back in government for the next term. We have a long-term plan to build a better future for all Australians.
My three main interests are: making housing more affordable, in particular for essential workers, improving accessible and affordable healthcare, and boosting investment in education and childcare services.
I have a lot of experience, knowledge, and qualifications in the education sector. This is the expertise I would bring to Federal Parliament.
If I am elected, I would try to address the main issues surrounding cost of living and how we can make things work better in the short term, and plan for the long term for all Australians. Easing the cost-of-living pressures facing Australians is challenging, and I’ll be a part of a federal Labor Government that has a long-term plan to build a better future for all Australians.
Since the redistribution, Warringah now encompasses parts of North Sydney as well. North Sydney has different issues, such as housing density, accessible education and transport congestion. I hope to represent the views of everyone in Warringah, serving the community as your federal MP.
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