Liberal MP Jason Falinski is target of grassroot groups in Mackellar ahead of next federal election

Women are behind a number of new groups looking to take on Liberal MP Jason Falinski at the next election, in a move inspired by independent Zali Steggall’s win.

Liberal MP Jason Falinski, who won the seat of Mackellar by a comfortable margin in 2019, could see some well-organised challenges from grassroots groups at the next federal election.

The groups are replicating the work of those who helped independent MP Zali Steggall defeat former prime minister Tony Abbott in the 2019 election.

Other safe seat Liberals are also being targeted by similar organisations which are springing up and gaining traction, including Trent Zimmerman’s seat on Sydney’s north shore.

Federal Liberal MP for Mackellar Jason Falinski. Picture: Supplied

Liberal sources say the groups are being led by “greenies, masquerading as independents”, an accusation they deny.

One newly formed group Mackellar Rising is in its infancy and yet to launch officially.

Founder Anya Geddes, of Avalon, said her group was one of several popping up – many of them led and powered by women – because people were dissatisfied with how they were being represented in parliament.

She said the aim of Mackellar Rising was to educate the electorate on how party politics works against democracy because politicians have to toe the party line.

She said the aim was to empower people to make change.

Left to right, Voices of Mackellar: Patti Burton, Rebecca Clarke, Leonie Scarlett, Maree Nutt and Adam Hodgson. Picture: Danny Wald / CreativeXposure.

As part of the group’s awareness campaign she said they plan to sell Mackellar Rising branded merchandise.

Ms Geddes, who works for a global charity, said another group, currently with no name, is building a campaign platform ready for when the right candidate is found.

“I don’t think Mackellar should be a safe seat,” she said.

“Labor has never put a strong candidate forward and has not made an effort in this electorate, so we have to find an alternative.”

Meanwhile, another group called Voices of Mackellar has been hosting a number of kitchen table conversations – where people meet in small groups in people’s homes to talk about the issues that concern them.

So far, the group has heard the views of nearly 300 people and will seek to listen to another 200 before producing a report on the findings in June.

President of the group Leonie Scarlett is a friend of Louise Hislop, who was behind the Voices of Warringah, and is now the electorate officer for Ms Steggall.

The Warringah group was instrumental in setting the scene for an independent candidate to take on Mr Abbott in 2019.

Ms Scarlett launched the copycat group last year, with two other women Maree Nutt and Rebecca Clarke, all three busy, working mums.

Voices of Mackellar hold a kitchen table conversation in someone's home. Picture: Supplied.

She said the group was about finding out what people’s concerns were and passing them onto all the candidates before the next election.

“We are neutral and all candidates will be treated equally,” Ms Scarlett said.

“We want to gather data from every postcode.

“Then we will hold a forum inviting all the candidates so we can hear what their views are on the issues that the community are interested in.”

The group has ramped up its efforts this month with seven kitchen table events planned.

Mr Falinski told the Manly Daily he had heard of some of the groups, but was concentrating on getting on with the job he was elected to do.

“I’m trying to represent the people of Mackellar the best I can,” he said.

Kathryn Ridge in 2017 when she was the independent candidate for the Manly. She’s now working for the Voices of Warringah. Picture Troy Snook

He denied accusations made by some that he would not cross the floor on certain issues such as the environment, a hot issue in Mackellar according to data collected so far.

He said he had found more success by working with, rather than against the party, and was helping to nudge the government closer to a commitment on net zero emissions targets by 2050.

Meanwhile, Kathryn Ridge, who is now running Voices of Warringah, said it will be producing an audit on Ms Steggall’s voting record in the next few months to see whether she has been representing the community on the issues raised at its kitchen table conversations.

Ms Ridge ran as an independent against now-Manly state Liberal MP James Griffin in the by-election to replace outgoing premier Mike Baird in 2017.

“It’s about keeping her accountable,” Ms Ridge said.

“It’s never been about being ‘anti-anything’, it’s about pro-community.

“We need to make sure that the people who are preselected in all parties and who self identify as independents reflect and understand the community’s viewpoints.”

Member for Warringah Zali Steggall at Canberra. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

However, Ms Ridge said the group’s data was not perfect as the kitchen table conversations have attracted more older women than other groups and that was something they were actively trying to rectify.

Ms Geddes said it was no surprise that it was women forming and leading these groups and women responding to them, considering the revelations of alleged sexual assault and other inappropriate behaviour coming out of Canberra, and the prime minister’s perceived poor response on those issues.

“This is going to be a women’s election,” Ms Geddes predicted.

“We want men to be part of this group because it is about community and democracy, but a lot of women have shied away from politics.

“But there’s only so long everyone can stay quiet.”