Labor’s Sally Quinnell elected as Camden MP as Liberal Party faces NSW bloodbath

It was a bloodbath for the Liberal Party after results of the state election rolled through, and it was no different in Camden. Find out what the new MP’s priorities are.

Sally Quinnell pictured with a young fan who was keen for a picture on election day.

Labor’s resounding victory in Camden proved it was no safe seat after a shock swing against the Liberal Party for the first time in more than a decade.

The Liberals had held the electorate since the 2011 wipe-out, but voters chose Labor’s Sally Quinnell to be their next leader.

From the moment the count began, early figures suggested Liberal Peter Sidgreaves could be in for an upset in what had been described as a “safe seat”.

But even as the lead strengthened, Ms Quinnell said it felt “surreal”, and only when all the major outlets confirmed the result she felt confident.

“But even then, it was probably only Sunday when I went into Camden, and people were stopping me in the street and talking to me, that was when it started to sink in,” she said.

Sally Quinnell.

“We were getting early numbers from our scrutinies, and there were promising moments, but it takes a third party to make that call for you to feel confident.”

Ms Quinnell said she felt the election would be a tight race, but doorknocking around the region suggested it was not as “safe” as people thought.

“I realised the people of Camden were tired of being taken for granted,” she said.

“It’s always difficult to predict how people will vote in that cardboard box, but I knew they were ready for something new.”

Sally Quinnell, pictured with some Labor supporters, out on the campaign trail.

Ms Quinnell said the commitments made on the campaign trail were born out of discussions with residents, which meant they resonated.

She said the commitment to build a high school for Gledswood Hills and Gregory Hills, to cap the tolls, and keep the Camden Fire Station open caught voters’ attention.

“My number one priorities are finding a location for the high school, getting the school crossings we promised sorted,” she said.

Ms Quinnell was one of the first candidates preselected and was chosen in September. This was off the back of her campaign in the 2019 state and two council elections.

Sally Quinnell pictured with Chris Minns and federal MP Mike Freelander.

“I think it is really important for candidates to be preselected as early as possible mostly because then they get out doorknocking,” she said.

“I have been doorknocking since September. It helps me find out what the issues are.”

Ms Quinnell said she spoke to former MP Mr Sidgreaves on Monday morning, and he had been “gracious” and congratulatory.

She said she looked forward to being a conduit between the people of Camden and the ministers who can get things done.

Mr Sidgreaves did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.