Former Nine presenter Kellie Sloane tipped to run for Gladys Berejiklian’s seat
A familiar face has entered the race for Gladys Berejiklian’s seat, with former Channel 9 presenter Kellie Sloane tipped to nominate for Liberal preselection in Willoughby.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Things are hotting up in the race to replace Gladys Berejiklian as the Liberal Party’s candidate for the state seat of Willoughby.
The Daily Telegraph understands senior local Liberals want a high-profile, high-energy candidate with business credentials who can represent the party for the long-term.
Enter National Life Education CEO and former high-profile television news presenter Kellie Sloane, 48, who has spent 14 of the past 20 years living in the electorate and who, with her husband Adam Connolly (a former adviser to Prime Minister John Howard), has raised their three children there.
Sloane is understood to have the support of many grassroots Liberals in the blue riband electorate, which is held by a safe 20 per cent margin.
Although local Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney, 58, has been mentioned, she has already indicated publicly she will recontest for the mayoral post at the December 4 local elections.
The dilemma for Giles-Gidney will be whether to continue on as independent Mayor or punt on winning the Liberal Party preselection for the state seat. She can’t do both. If she loses the Willoughby battle she will be out of politics altogether.
Sloane has helped revolutionise the 40-year-old Life Education organisation, with its popular Healthy Harold mascot, in recent years, and has been a vocal advocate for children’s health education.
Before that she was a popular face on TV for 20 years, co-hosting Channel 9’s Today show and Nightline, and later Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise.
The Daily Telegraph approached Sloane for comment but she declined.
Labor MP snubs questions over dad’s offensive remarks
Approached at a pre-poll booth in Chatswood, the MP representing the tightest seat in the country, Jerome Laxale declined to elaborate on the homophobic remarks his father made towards a Liberal volunteer.
Ben Roberts-Smith arrives in court ahead of retrial hearing
Ben Roberts-Smith attended the Federal Court this morning to watch his arch nemesis, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, in the witness box, as the Victoria Cross recipient seeks to have his defamation case reopened.