With the NSW State Election on Saturday 25 March, North Shore Living spoke with the local candidates for North Shore and Willoughby about why the hope to enter the hallowed halls of parliament.
NORTH SHORE
Currently held by the Liberals, this seat stretches from Wollstonecraft, through Mosman and down to the Spit. Major issues for the area include the Beaches Link Tunnel project and development in North Sydney.
Lachlan Commins SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY
Lachlan has a background in law and has been involved in local campaigns to stop ‘inappropriate overdevelopment’ on the North Shore.
“It is important that we return real planning powers to local communities through local councils and proper engagement,” he says.
Lachlan is also concerned about the lack of proportionate new infrastructure to match development, as well as the loss of tree canopies, backyards and heritage.
He supports a cashless gaming card to manage problem gambling and criminal gaming activity, as well as capping losses at $120 per hour.
Helen Conway INDEPENDENT
Helen was chosen to run as a ‘teal’ Independent and is most concerned about integrity in government.
“We need integrity, accountability and transparency,” she says. “If elected, I will foster and maintain an ongoing dialogue with the community so I can properly represent them.”
Helen is a lawyer who has worked in the commercial, public, and not-for-profit sectors for over 30 years.
“My broad experience has given me the skills to engage, listen and represent the North Shore community.”
She supports a 10-hour shut down of poker machines and allowing local councils to comment on machine applications.
James Mullan THE GREENS
James is a journalist for a North Shore local paper who is running because he sees the current government as ‘unstable and corrupt’.
“I’ve seen our government squander opportunity after opportunity to create a better society, so I’m here to give us the representation and vision we deserve,” he says.
Making public transport free can help resolve transport issues such as the ‘choked up’ Military Road, a key issue for the North Shore, he says.
James has volunteered and worked with local sports groups and schools, which has given him a ‘great understanding’ of locals values, he says.
If elected, he will fight to ban pokies from pubs and clubs.
Victoria Walker INDEPENDENT
Victoria is a former public servant who describes herself as a ‘progressive Independent’.
She believes integrity needs to be restored in government and the major political parties are reluctant to acknowledge necessary urgent reforms.
An important issue for the North Shore is ‘rampant state- sponsored development’ that treats local councils and residents ‘with contempt’, she says.
If elected, she would demand that all government portfolios address the impacts of climate change and ensure all citizens get a fair go.
Victoria has campaigned against the expansion of gambling in pubs in the area and says she will ‘hit the ground running, tackle difficult tasks and get things done’.
Godfrey Santer AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
Godfrey is a former diplomat and local businessman who is the current deputy mayor of North Sydney Council.
He is running due to the neglect shown by the current government towards the local community, he says.
Godfrey believes the most important issues in the area are preservation of the environment and the impact of uncontrolled high-rise development without associated infrastructure.
“Labor will scrap the Beaches Link and invest in public transport. There is not enough affordable housing for health and education workers in the area,” Godfrey maintains.
“In addition, more incentives and support are needed for small businesses in the North Sydney central business district.”
Felicity Wilson AUSTRALIAN LIBERAL PARTY
Currently the sitting member for North Shore and a mother-of-two, Felicity says she understands the challenges people face juggling the commute, schooling, and managing the household budget.
“I am really passionate about making a difference for our children and grandchildren, and that is what I will continue to do if re-elected.”
She says it is important to continue the ‘record level’ of health investment and ensure every child gets the best start in life through education.
Taking strong action on climate change and making NSW a green superpower are also key.
Delivering the Beaches Link is ‘crucial’ for the community, she adds.
WILLOUGHBY
The Liberals won this seat by a 3.3 per cent margin at last year’s by-election after the resignation of then premier Gladys Berejiklian. The seat has the highly urbanised business districts of Chatswood and St Leonards and is bordered by harbourside suburbs like Castle Cove.
Sarah Griffin AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
Sarah says Willoughby has been ignored by the current government and it is time for a ‘fresh start’ for New South Wales.
Privatisation of public assets is an issue she feels strongly about.
“It has resulted in exorbitant tolls and a degrading of our public transport services,” she says.
“I have yet to see a privatisation project that has resulted in better services or less cost to communities and it should stop.”
Sarah, a trained physiotherapist who is now a health economist, says the government has put the health system on life support.
“I am passionate about working in a Labor government to revive it.”
Edmund McGrath THE GREENS
Edmund is an urban planner who wants a government that takes social justice, the environment and climate change seriously.
Edmund will use his experience to spearhead reform in the planning system.
“We need to progress towards carbon neutral buildings, development aligned to public transport, and safe walkable streets,” he says.
Edmund says people in Willoughby want walkable neighbourhoods with cycling infrastructure, and more public schools.
“I’ve dedicated my life to serving the public good, improving our planet, and finding innovative solutions where others cannot. These are the values I will take to the election.”
Tim James LIBERAL PARTY
Tim has been the local member for 12 months and wants Willoughby to be ‘an even better’ place to live, work, and raise a family.
He says under the Liberal Government, Willoughby is benefiting from upgrades at all public schools across the electorate as well as two new schools.
“Only the Liberals deliver the essential infrastructure and resources needed for our local schools, roads, hospitals and other services,” he says.
Tim says the future of Willoughby is at stake.
“It’s a choice between a future of neglected local services and no investment in infrastructure, or a representative who is committed to fighting and delivering for us.”
Michael Want SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY
Michael is running for the seat of Willoughby to protect the environment, stop overdevelopment and stop corruption.
“I am concerned with how the New South Wales state planning system prioritises the interests of the property developers over local communities,” he says.
Michael has expertise in managing sustainable projects and says the rapid rate of overdevelopment and densification of the electorate is of great concern.
He is against the Beaches Link Tunnel project and believes rail and bus networks should be expanded.
Larissa Penn INDEPENDENT
Larissa is a “true independent” who has represented the views of the Willoughby electorate at public forums, State Parliament and in the media for the last six years.
She came close to winning the seat of Willoughby at last year’s by-election. She says the community needs “meaningful action” now: “This can only be achieved with independent representation free from party politics and the influence of vested interests.”
Larissa says planning is a key issue and advocates for new social infrastructure, more health capacity and a twenty-first century transport and traffic solution which focuses on public and active transport.
She believes there is a lack of integrity and transparency in the current government and says she will continue to work “tirelessly in the best interests of the community”.
The candidates included in this feature comprise of those that had nominated as of print date, 10 February.