Federal election 2022: Mackellar Lib MP in trouble against ‘Teal’ independent

Former emergency room doctor and Sophie Scamps has won the battle of Mackellar, continuing the successful run of teal independents winning in once Liberal strongholds.

Former emergency room doctor and Sophie Scamps has won the battle of Mackellar, unseating Jason Falinski and continuing the successful run of teal independents winning in once Liberal strongholds.

With almost 70 per cent of votes counted, Dr Scamps holds an all but insurmountable 54.4 per cent two-party preferred lead.

Falinski suffered a close to 2 per cent swing against him.

Earlier in the day Mr Falinski reminded people that a vote for him was a “vote for a strong economy and secure future”.

Dr Sophie Scamps celebrates her win in the seat of Mackellar with supporters at the Dee Why RSL on Saturday night. Picture: Jeremy Piper

But on Saturday night he was forced to call Dr Scamps at her election reception at Dee Why RSL Club and concede defeat.

The latest official figures had, with about 75 per cent of the vote counted, Mr Falinski with 30,443 votes compared to Dr Scamps, who ran high-profile campaign with the help of $700,000 from the Climate 200 group backed by millionaire businessman Simon Holmes a Court, with 29,669.

But she will win on preferences.

Dr Scamps told the Manly Daily at 10.30pm that the night was a “complete roller coaster ride”.

Dr Sophie Scamps celebrates her win in the seat of Mackellar at the Dee Why RSL. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“We were certainly hopeful and this is what we were working for every single day, so hard.

“In one way we can believe it and in another way we can’t believe it.”

Dr Scamps put her victory down to a general sentiment across the electorate that voters had “been ignored, neglected and taken for granted for way too long”.

“We had a representative who was just toeing the party line and not actually listening to the people and would vote in opposition to the views and values of this community.”

Earlier on Saturday the pair were visiting a number of voting booths across the electorate on Saturday as large voter turnouts were recorded at booths including Narraweena and Belrose public schools.

Ms Scamps said, while handing out how-to-vote cards at Narraweena, that the people, including Coalition supporters, had been telling her she had run a “wonderful campaign”.

Also at Narraweena, Mr Falinski said people he had spoken with on Saturday as they lined up to vote were “optimistic and upbeat”.

Liberal MP for Mackellar Jason Falinski voting at Collaroy Public School with his wife Nichola. Picture: Facebook (Jason Falinski)

In an election day Facebook post, featuring a photograph of he and his wife Nichola voting at Collaroy Public School, Mr Falinski told voters: “A vote for me is a vote for a strong economy and secure future.”

“People seem optimistic and upbeat … we’ll see what happens,” he told the Manly Daily while speaking to voters at Narraweena.

Mackellar independent candidate Sophie Scamps with some high-profile federal election support on Saturday – two-time world surfing champion Tom Carroll. Picture: Facebook (Sophie Scamps)

Ms Scamps said people were still talking to her about issues including climate change, housing affordability, mental health services for young people on the northern beaches and government waste of public money.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “Our campaign is now in with a real shot of making history at this election.

Mackellar independent candidate Sophie Scamps with some last day federal election campaigning at Narraweena Public School on Saturday. She is speaking with voting sisters Bronte and Neve Denmead, from Narraweena. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“There are so many people that are ready for change and want to be genuinely represented on the issues that are important to us here in Mackellar.

“People are saying, even Coalition supporters say ‘you’ve run a wonderful campaign.

“And I say ‘yes’ because it came up from within the community.

Mackellar Liberal MP Jason Falinski greeting voters on federal election day at Narraweena Public School. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“It all started from sitting down and listening to people living here in our electorate and asking what are the issues important to you and what solutions do you want to see, do you feel that your voice can be heard and what sort of representation do you want.

Spotted at Narraweena Public School in the northern beaches seat of Mackellar on federal election day, a "dancing dinosaur", just like the anti-Liberal pro-climate action creatures that haunted Tony Abbott's campaign in neighbouring Warringah in 2019. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“People wanted someone from within the community who would listen … someone who would take our values to Canberra and not just tow a party line.”