Video: NSW Liberal opposition leader Kellie Sloane meets Chatswood locals

Less than two weeks since Kellie Sloane took up the leadership role for the NSW Liberals, locals have shared their thoughts as she attempts to overhaul the party’s brand recognition issues. Watch the video.

The Daily Telegraph hit the streets of Chatswood on December 1 to hear locals’ opinions of new NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane.

Kellie Sloane’s publicity blitz is showing no signs of abating, with the new NSW Opposition leader again hitting the streets on December 1 as she attempts to overhaul the Liberal Party’s brand recognition issue.

And voters seemed to like what they saw in the blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Willoughby, pausing during their shopping trips to introduce themselves to the Vaucluse MP and former journalist.

Retired Chatswood resident Paul Williams, 71, said he liked what he had seen of Ms Sloane in the less than two weeks since she replaced Mark Speakman as party leader.

Mr Speakman had long been stymied by a lack of recognition among voters, with a colleague once remarking the former barrister would need to run naked across the Harbour Bridge for people to take notice of him.

“I think she could make a refreshing change,” Mr Williams said.

Kellie Sloane meets with locals in the Chatswood community. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“With respect to Mark Speakman, I think she is a better person for the job.

“I think she can handle it and make a difference.”

Fellow shopper Anne, who did not wish to give her surname, said she was looking forward to seeing what Ms Sloane could do.

“I heard her on the radio,” she said.

“I wish her all the best. She seems to be very much on the ball.

“She understands the issues that we all have about changes and cost-of-living.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns also weighed in on Ms Sloane’s early performance, praising her personally while acknowledging the challenges ahead.

NSW Premier Chris Minns. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“I think she’s going pretty well, it’ll be a good contest next year,” Mr Minns said on 2GB.

“I like her a lot. She’s one of the decent people in state politics.”

“But she’s got a big job to do. We’re in competition with each other, and you expect it to be tough at times. Being opposition leader is the hardest job in politics, I’ve done it. You have to criticise the government, but you’re not actually in power, so there’s only so much you can do. I’m not keen to go back to that position.”

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Originally published as Video: NSW Liberal opposition leader Kellie Sloane meets Chatswood locals