Kristina Keneally in awkward run-in with John Alexander

KRISTINA Keneally embarked on a meet-and-greet only to find opponent John Alexander was already there — and was flanked by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

THERE was an awkward run-in on the first full day of the campaign trail for the hotly contested seat of Bennelong.

Kristina Keneally embarked on a meet-and-greet in Eastwood Mall only to find opponent John Alexander was already there — and was flanked by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

The Liberals emerged from a pharmacy to find Ms Keneally barrelling up to them.

Kristina Keneally bumps into John Alexander with Julie Bishop.

Ms Bishop stayed tight-lipped during the awkward run-in while the would-be MPs exchanged barbs.

Mr Alexander joked that his opponent seemed to be stalking him.

Both candidates were mobbed for selfies during their walk-throughs.

Ms Keneally brought in Ryde mayor Jerome Laxale for the photo opportunity.

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Ms Keneally said locals were talking to her about Medicare, the NBN and power prices.

She said the people of Bennelong had a chance to “send a message to Malcolm Turnbull”.

“This is a historic opportunity on the 16th of December,” she said.

She later said: “This isn’t about whether John Alexander is a dual citizen … this isn’t a referendum on John Alexander, this is an opportunity for the people of Bennelong to send a message about what they think of this Liberal government, what they think about Malcolm Turnbull, the lousy services, the lousy NBN, the lousy cuts to Medicare and the lousy power prices they have to endure.”

Kristina Keneally announced she will contest the seat of Bennelong yesterday.

On the topic of the same-sex marriage “yes” vote, Ms Keneally said it was a “very contentious issue” in the community.

The Bennelong electorate voted no with just over half the vote not in favour.

“It is the one area John Alexander and I both agree on. We both support the yes case,” she said.

When Ms Bishop did her own press conference — after awkwardly waiting metres away for Ms Keneally to stop speaking — she unleashed on Ms Keneally’s political history.

“I note that Bill Shorten has now parachuted a former failed Labor premier into the Bennelong spot on behalf of the Labor Party,” she said.

“Kristina Keneally as a Labor premier resided over one of the most corrupt and incompetent governments in this state’s history.

“According to a former Labor premier she was Eddie Obeid’s puppet. He (Obeid) is now in jail for corruption. One of her first acts as premier was to put Ian Macdonald into the cabinet — he is now in jail for corruption.

“A former Labor transport minister, Carl Scully, said Kristina was asleep at the wheel when it came to infrastructure for the people of NSW.

“In fact she was notorious for cancelling the metro rail project, which wasted $500 million of taxpayers’ money.

“As premier she cancelled school funding to the tune of $315 million for state schools. As premier the electricity prices went up, bus and train fares went through the roof.”

Kristina Keneally, John Alexander and Julie Bishop chat during an awkward encounter.

“The last time the people of NSW had the chance to judge Kristina Keneally’s performance they booted her out. The people of Bennelong deserve better than a failed Labor premier.”

On same-sex marriage, Ms Bishop said the postal survey turnout “vindicated” the Coalition’s decision to use the survey.

She said she expects legislation to be “concluded” by the end of this year.

Ms Keneally announced yesterday she would take on Mr Alexander in the Bennelong by-election, setting up a high-profile showdown and creating a major headache for the Prime Minister.

Voters in Bennelong will go to a by-election on December 16 after Mr Alexander resigned following concerns he may have been a British dual citizen.

Both Labor and the Coalition maintain their candidate will win Bennelong, a swinging seat considered marginal despite Alexander holding it by 9.7 per cent at the 2016 election.

“I am not running in Bennelong because John Alexander is a dual citizen, I am running because this is an opportunity for the community to stand up and say to Mr Turnbull — your government is awful,” Ms Keneally said yesterday. “Enough is enough.”

How the conversation unfolded

Kristina Keneally: Lovely to be here.

Julie Bishop: Lovely to see you.

KK: Beautiful day isn’t it. Looking forward to the by-election?

John Alexander: Yeah, I am yeah. The 16th.

KK: It is.

JA: I feel you’re stalking me

KK: No sir, I’m not. So are you having a good time?

JA: Best time of my life.

KK: You and the Prime Minister, both having a great time.

JA: Well you should join our party. You’d find how much fun it is.

KK: Haha your party’s having way too much fun at the moment. I think I’ll stick with stability and unity.

JA: Well more fun in government than in opposition I think.

KK: OK we’ll see how that goes for you. Take care, have a lovely day.

JA: Thank you. Bye bye thanks.

Random man: Go the women!

KK: Oh thank you sir, thank you.