Despite Labor enjoying a landslide win in the state election, Liberals Rory Amon and Matt Cross were victorious in what was, at times, a ferocious battle.
Predictions that independent candidates had a strong chance take out the key seats across the Northern Beaches didn’t come to fruition in the recent State election, bar the election of Northern Beaches Council mayor, Michael Regan, in Wakehurst.
Pittwater welcomed Rory Amon to fill the seat held by Rob Stokes, now retired. Davidson was won by Matt Cross, who replaces former speaker of the NSW Parliament, Jonathan O’Dea. Rory and Matt tell Peninsula Living Pittwater what they want to achieve in Parliament over the next four years and beyond.
PITTWATER
Rory Amon, Liberal
Narrabeen resident Rory had an extremely close contest in the election against Independent Jacqui Scruby, just winning his seat with 50.7% of the vote. It makes what was previously a very safe Liberal seat, now a marginal one. Rory is a family lawyer who has been on the Northern Beaches Council for five years, representing the Pittwater ward. He is an active volunteer firefighter and has been a member of the Davidson Rural Fire Brigade since 2013.
From Barrenjoey Headland to Narrabeen Lagoon, we call the best part of the best state of the best nation home.
Our community voted for my positive vision for Pittwater, and I will work hard every single day to ensure we have the services and infrastructure that our local community needs and deserves. Just as I have fought for our community over the past five years on Northern Beaches Council, I will fight for our community in State Parliament to complete the widening of Mona Vale Road, flood proof the Wakehurst Parkway, and upgrade Narrabeen Sports High. I will do everything I can to preserve our unique natural beauty and stop overdevelopment. I will be relentless for you.
“I will fight against Labor’s plans to decimate our quality of life by increasing development and cutting infrastructure.”
Pittwater MP Rory Amon
Our community has the most amazing people, surf clubs, volunteer firefighters, RSL sub-branches, sports clubs, volunteers and community spirit.
Serving and delivering small and big wins and outcomes for such wonderful people is a privilege.
Labor has promised to cancel the Beaches Link tunnel.
This is a great shame. The project would reduce travel times and congestion, allowing residents to spend less time in traffic and more time with family. At the same time, Labor has promised more development in Pittwater. I will fight against Labor’s plans to decimate our quality of life by increasing development and cutting infrastructure.
For the Liberal party to win back voters ahead of the next election, at a statewide level, renewal is the answer.
I am excited and humbled to be a part of that renewal process. Our community expects their representatives to listen, represent those views, and then work our guts out. That’s exactly what I will do. As we face uncertain economic times, the issue hitting families and Pittwater hardest is the cost of living. The Liberal Party must be the party that has the policies to tackle this issue.
Rory Amon says he ‘will fight against Labor’s plans to decimate our quality of life by increasing development and cutting infrastructure’.
DAVIDSON
Matt Cross, Liberal
With vast experience in public policy, Matt has held roles at The George Institute and KPMG. He was a ministerial adviser to former NSW premiers Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian.
I put myself forward because I passionately believe in public service.
My feeling about being elected is one of gratitude –that thousands of people in our local community were prepared to put their faith in me. It’s a very humbling experience. I won’t let you down!
“I will hold the Labor Government to account to make sure our community is not taken for granted.” Davidson MP Matt Cross
On the campaign trail, the most pressing issue local residents talked to me about was the impact of cost of living and the economy.
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 and modernising the way we interact with the government.
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. I am excited to continue meeting as many constituents as I can over the next four years, to hear their hopes, aspirations and stories. 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.
Matt Cross, pictured with wife Gessika, says he won’t let the people of Davidson down. Image credit: Matt Cross Facebook
I have always been a strong advocate of the Beaches Link tunnel.
Disappointingly, Premier Chris Minns and Labor made an election commitment to cancel the Beaches Link tunnel. I will continue to fight for this project, as our community deserves world-class infrastructure so people can spend more time doing the things they love, and not stuck in traffic.
There is no substitute for hard work.
The Liberal Party is at its best when we are focused on the work at hand of representing the community, advocating our values, and fighting for the aspirations of local families and small businesses. I look forward to being a voice in parliament – energised to focus on public policy and reform.
By Niki Waldegrave