Joeline Hackman: Teals’ reveal candidate in bid to win northern beaches NSW seats

The teals have kicked off their bold bid to win seats at the NSW election by revealing their first local candidate while the Liberals still search for theirs.

Joeline Hackman, who is running as a Community Independent in the seat of Manly in the March 2023 NSW State Election. Picture: Supplied

The bold bid by “teal” candidates to snatch northern beaches’ seats away from the Liberals at the next state election has entered a new phase.

Joeline Hackman, a business consultant and high-profile local charity and community volunteer, has been chosen to take on sitting Manly MP James Griffin.

Her selection comes as community independent groups in Wakehurst and Pittwater — where the current Liberal members Brad Hazzard and Rob Stokes are retiring — are close to picking their teal candidates.

Joeline Hackman, the community backed independent candidate in Manly at the next state election, was a co-founder of Feed Our Medics. Ms Jackman is pictured in April 2020 at Mona Vale Hopsital delivering food to frontline health workers. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Ms Hackman has been endorsed by businessman and climate activist Simon Holmes à Court’s Climate 200 group, which supported the successful campaign of independent Sophie Scamps to unseat the Liberals in Mackellar at the last federal election.

At the same time, strong rumours are still swirling around that veteran Northern Beaches mayor Michael Regan plans to run as an independent in Wakehurst against a yet to be chosen Liberal candidate.

But it is understood Mr Regan would not necessarily receive the backing of the local teal group, Wakehurst’s Independent, as its “value-aligned” candidate.

Spokeswoman for the group, Sarah Baker, said it was still looking for a candidate and had already conducted a series of “first round” interviews of people who had come forward.

State Liberal MP for Manly, James Griffin (left) and Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan with junior lifesavers Guy Ormond, Aly Rounsley, Luana Da Rocha and Zac Gedz from the Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Ms Baker said the teal candidate chosen would be community-backed and champion issues such as action on climate change; integrity and transparency in politics; protecting the natural environment and; pushing for health reform in the NSW parliament.

“We are not just looking to beat the Liberals, we are looking for a candidate to support, who is aligned on values.”

In Wakehurst, Northern Beaches Liberal councillor and retired senior local police officer, David Walton, has confirmed he will not put his name forward to represent the Liberals at the state election.

Liberal preselections in the seat have not opened, but Mr Hazzard’s senior elecotrate staffer, Toby Williams, and Wendy Finianos, a former president of the Warringah Chamber of Commerce, were expected to nominate.

Northern Beaches Liberal councillor David Walton will not, as expected, put his name forward as a possible Liberal candidate in Wakehurst. Picture: Adam Yip/ Manly Daily

Ms Hackman, backed by the Manly Independents group, officially launched her campaign on Wednesday night at the Hotel Steyne with the backing of a former popular Manly independent MP, Peter Macdonald, who held the seat from 1991-99.

She is the co-founder of conservation group Northern Beaches War on Waste and Feed Our Medics, set up during the Covid pandemic to support frontline healthcare workers in hospitals.

Manly Independents spokesman Scott Porter said Ms Hackman had been picked after an “extensive community search and selection process”.

Mr Porter said she had a “proven and extensive community driven background” as well as an “extensive management and marketing background working with large corporates, small organisations and charities”.

“The teal wave seen at the recent federal election reflects the appetite for change on a

host of issues particularly the move towards genuine community representation.”

Ms Hackman, who lives in Manly with her doctor husband and two young sons, said she felt fortunate to have the opportunity to represent this community where she grew up and was raising a family.

“I’ll listen and advocate for the people of the Manly electorate.

“As a community independent, I won’t have to vote along party lines and align myself to values that don’t sit well with my constituency..

“As a recipient of a Highly Commended Eco Award at the Northern Beaches Council Eco Awards in 2021, I was extremely grateful for the recognition and saw it as a sign of our community’s readiness for action on climate change and environmental protection.

“I have a track record of standing up for what’s right, and prioritising community and I will continue to do that.”

Mr Griffin said he was proud of his record since he won the seat in 2017, reminding voters he was a driving force behind Australia’s first hospice for adolescents and young adults soon to open on the former Manly hospital site on North Head.

He said the state government had a leading Net Zero Plan to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.

“From the thousands of locals I have met with over the years to the hundreds of community groups I have had the privilege of working with, they know I operate with integrity, deliver results and we are collectively excited about the bright future for our area,” Mr Griffin said in a statement.