‘He’s my best mate’: Federal election results in new Illawarra political power couple

The incoming Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, and her husband, state Wollongong MP, Paul Scully, on their relationship and what the election means for the future of the region.

They met three decades ago as members of Young Labor, but after Saturday night’s emphatic federal election result, Alison Byrnes and Paul Scully are the Illawarra’s new political power couple.

Ms Byrnes is on track for a commanding win in Cunningham after replacing her former boss, Sharon Bird, on the Labor Party ticket and while pulling down election signs in Port Kembla on Sunday morning, she acknowledged the impact her husband of nearly 14 years has had one her.

“He’s one of my strongest supporters and he’s one of my toughest critics,” Ms Brynes said of the state Wollongong MP.

“Paul and I work really well together, we share very similar values, we have the same work ethic and we love working hard for our community.”

“He’s also my best mate and he has been largely responsible for putting up a lot of the signs all around the electorate.”

Paul Scully and Alison Byrnes on day one as the Illawarra’s political power couple. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Mr Scully was beaming with pride regarding his wife’s result who he believes will be an “incredible” advocate for her electorate.

“I am a little bit prouder as a husband than I might be as a member of the Labor Party,” he laughed.

“Alison is incredibly passionate about her community. She grew up here, she was educated here, she’s worked here and she’s passionate about ensuring the community seizes the opportunities that are before it.

“Her own personal experiences growing up – her dad was in and out of the coal mines, my dad was a truck driver – those sets of experiences shape and influence your core set of beliefs.

The incoming Member for Wollongong, Alison Byrnes, at Wollongong Public School on Election Day. Picture: Dylan Arvela

“There’s no better choice in my mind – the voters of Cunningham have made the right decision.”

“It‘s an exciting moment. We joined the party during the tail end of the Hawke and Keating years. There was a long gap before the Rudd government and nearly a decade gap since. [Winning elections] are exciting moments, they’re exciting moments for the Illawarra.”

While implementing Ms Byrnes’ flagship promises in the region, such as a community solar battery and an urgent care clinic, will be a topic of conversation over the dinner table, another will be the 2023 state election which is set for March 25.

It won’t be long until Wollongong MP Paul Scully turns his attention towards the NSW election.

Mr Scully, who has an iron hold grip on the Wollongong electorate, said he relies on Ms Byrnes to keep his counsel and added the federal result would have significant implication on the state vote.

“Like Alison said, she’s been my biggest support and also my toughest critic,” he said.

“When she thinks I haven’t got something right she’s more than happy to let me know about it and that’s the robust conversations that we’ve had over the last 30 odd years we’ve known each other.

“We have those conversations about how we can do things better in the region, how we can do things better as a political party and as a broader labour movement.”

“The message from this election is clear, people want a focus on local community, local opportunities and for their elected representatives to pursue them with all their efforts.

“Any elected representative might not be able to deliver everything the community wants every time, but I think people want to see you in there working hard to get the best possible outcome for wherever you represent.”