Hornsby Liberal candidate James Wallace talks nuclear, ‘comparisons’ to successor Matt Kean

The man who wants to replace former NSW energy minister turned national climate tsar Matt Kean in parliament has called for the state to drop its ban on nuclear power. Here’s why.

Hornsby Liberal candidate James Wallace meets voters alongside the seat’s departing MP, Matt Kean.

The man who wants to replace former NSW energy minister turned national climate tsar Matt Kean in parliament has called for the state to drop its ban on nuclear power.

James Wallace is hoping to keep the safe Liberal seat of Hornsby in party hands following the resignation of Mr Kean, who quit the role this year before being appointed by the Labor Albanese government to chair the national Climate Change Authority.

The road to polling day has already proven eventful, with former prime minister Tony Abbott publicly accusing Mr Kean of using the party preselection process to install Mr Wallace as his political “clone”.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Mr Wallace would not be drawn on comparisons to his predecessor, but stated “I am my own person” and vowed to continue the “great work” of Mr Kean, saying the former minister had delivered for the community on projects including the Hornsby Hospital redevelopment.

Speaking on the campaign trail this week, Mr Wallace called for NSW to lift its current ban on nuclear power.

James Wallace, pictured meeting voters on the campaign trail.

His stance differentiates him from Mr Kean, who has spoken about the “hugely expensive” prospect of adding nuclear to the national power mix.

As recently as last month, Mr Kean said the Climate Change Authority’s recent review of pathways to net zero found the “cheapest and most effective way to transition our electricity system is renewables that are backed up by firming”.

James Wallace was preselected in August as the Liberal candidate.

Mr Wallace said: “At a state level, I don’t think we should have the ban in place and I think it should be lifted.”

“I believe if you remove government bans, you can achieve a free market outcome and investment will determine the power mix,” he added.

“I want to see a free market approach that ensures electricity is affordable and reliable.”

Mr Wallace, a fifth-generation Hornsby shire local who lives in the electorate with his wife and two-year-old son, is critical of the current Labor government’s policy platform.

James Wallace, right, with NSW Liberal Party leader Mark Speakman.

“I’m not sure what the government’s focus is or what their drive is,” he said.

“It’s really hard to pick out what they stand for in Hornsby and in NSW more generally.”

He is confident the NSW Liberal opposition is on the right path to regaining power at the next state election, due by 2027, and pledged support for party leader Mark Speakman as the “right” man to lead the party to the poll.

“By the next station election the budget is predicted to be $200bn in debt, and that’s going to leave an incredible interest bill of around $8bn that’s going to have to be paid annually,” he said.

“We need responsible economic management.”

Mr Wallace named the state’s government’s housing reforms, which earmark huge density growth around train stations including Hornsby, as a leading concern for the community.

He said he believed more funding should be stumped up to bankroll schools, roads and other core infrastructure to accommodate the expected population surge.

“It’s completely unacceptable that the state government’s approach to housing is randomly circling train stations and saying ‘this is where housing will go’,” he said.

“It’s a pretty lazy approach and, in my view, there needs to be far more upfront investment to support the increased density because if you leave it after, you run a risk of putting a huge strain on essential services and infrastructure.

Mr Wallace said cost of living was another leading issue for the shire’s households, adding that he believed the NSW government should reverse its decision to wind back Active and Creative Kids vouchers.

The Hornsby by-election will be held on October 19, along with by-elections in the neighbouring Liberal-held state seats of Epping, previously held by former premier Dominic Perrottet, and Pittwater, which was held by Rory Amon before he vacated the seat after being charged with child sex offences he denies.

NSW Labor is not contesting the by-elections, with Premier Chris Minns stating it “would not be the best use of our time and resources”.

Mr Wallace said his other priorities if elected included protecting the unique character and lifestyle of the electorate, which spans from the Hawkesbury River to Hornsby and has more than 60,000 voters.

He was preselected, securing around 65 per cent of party member votes, defeating rival candidate and former Hornsby deputy mayor Michael Hutchence.