Mackellar election: Candidates pitch before May 21 vote
Not sure where to direct your vote in Mackellar? Check out our guide to all the candidates and their pitch to voters before casting your ballot.
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Seven candidates have put up their hands to take the seat of Mackellar in Saturday’s federal election.
The candidates, including sitting Liber MP Jason Falinski, have been invited to make their final pitch to the electorate.
Here are the candidates — in ballot paper order — and why they believe they deserve your vote.
BARRY STEEL, TNL
Who you are?
I have worked since I was 15, with the last 37 years in IT/Computer science.
Why are you running?
I have a very deep understanding of the issues we face from the full force of the Information Revolution to the lack of decent internet in Australia.
We are very poorly served in communications services as a nation. We need urgent actions to address increasing surveillance. There are things that the Nation can do in this area. I look forward to helping develop these plans.
We need to prove to the world and ourselves, that we are a just society. Lying to ourselves about this only compounds the problems. We need to immediately stop Killing First Nations folk and treat those that seek asylum with the care you would your sister, daughter, mother, father, brother.
DARREN DICKSON, ONE NATION PARTY
Who you are?
No biographical information available from One Nation, but the party insisted he was not a “ghost candidate”.
Why are you running?
The Pauline Hanson One Nation Party website states that: “Darren is standing in this election for the seat of Mackellar because he believes that it’s time our country ended the two-party preferred system of government.
“We need a real voice of reason to represent the people.
“One Nation has the perspective and the strong policies which reflect the views of the people and demonstrate our great nation’s equality and strength.
“If elected, I will represent this electorate with a people-first perspective because it is the people who make this country what it is.”
SOPHIE SCAMPS, INDEPENDENT
Who you are?
My name is Sophie Scamps, I am a mother of three and live with my family in Avalon. Before deciding to stand as the independent candidate for Mackellar, I served the community as a doctor in the Emergency Department of Mona Vale Hospital and then practising as a GP in Narrabeen.
Prior to that I represented Australia in athletics as a middle distance runner. I love athletics and am still involved in athletics today as a volunteer race starter with Little Athletics in Narrabeen.
Why are you running?
Our community has been ignored and taken for granted for decades. I have lived here for 22 years and during that time our representatives have not genuinely listened to nor represented the views and values of our community.
It’s time Mackellar had an MP who listened and acted on the issues that matter to us most. I am standing at this election as a community-backed independent with the main focus of protecting our way of life here in Mackellar.
As a community-backed independent, the priorities and policies I am taking to this election have come directly from the community. Locals have told tell me they want to see meaningful action on climate change, a government that will help our local businesses grow while they also want to see a return of integrity and transparency to politics through the establishment of a federal anti-corruption commission with teeth.
People have also told me that improving our health and mental health services here in Mackellar is a major priority, and as a former emergency room doctor and GP I agree that our health system is in crisis.
These will be my priorities as your independent MP for Mackellar.
PAULA GOODMAN, LABOR
Who you are?
An Avalon Beach local, Ms Goodman says she is a committed and passionate advocate for the northern beaches and has been involved in efforts to preserve the environment, improve domestic and family violence services, and deliver better mental health care, according to the Labor website.
Why are you running?
Ms Goodman says she will work to create a better future on the northern beaches by delivering quality health services, well-funded local schools, more affordable childcare, better mobile and broadband coverage, and will support local businesses to create good, secure jobs.
As a local wildlife rescue volunteer, Ms Goodman says she understands the fragility of our local environment and will work to protect our unique way of life from climate change and overdevelopment.
JASON FALINSKI, LIBERAL
Who you are?
I am the son of a migrant who came to Australia when he was 15 and could not speak a word of English.
I have only ever known the Northern Beaches as home. I currently live in Collaroy with my beautiful wife and daughter, I am a nipper dad and former local business owner.
Why are you running?
I will work day and night to make us a more perfect nation in which people are empowered and the government serves us to help us achieve all the things we want for ourselves, our families, friends and communities.
If we do this then we will have a nation that is safer, securer and more certain for all of us.
Our record shows we are in a strong position to manage these challenges and opportunities from creating jobs, securing the economic future for Australians, let Australians keep more of what they earn, giving young Australians a chance to own their home, dealing with authoritarian regimes, advancing the prosperity of this nation on our path to net zero.
CHRISTOPHER BALL, UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY
Who you are?
Christopher Ball, according to the official UAP website, is 66 years old, was born in Manly Hospital and lives at Narrabeen with his partner Tina.
He has three adult children and seven grandchildren.
His favourite activities are swimming, snorkelling, e-bike riding, and enjoying an active lifestyle.
From the early ’80s to the late 90s Mr Ball was involved in full-time Christian ministry. More recently, his time has been focused on online sales and marketing, and trading.
Why are you running?
“The tyranny we are witnessing is unacceptable, unconstitutional, and even frightening,” the UAP website said “So he decided it is time do something.
“The Australia he knew, the Lucky Country is now, sadly, divided and broken. He is motivated and wants to see strong leadership that unites Australians with real workable choices.”
ETHAN HRNJAK, THE GREENS
Who you are?
I’m a student climate activist, passionate about creating a cleaner, greener, and fairer future for all of us, he told The Greens website.
Born and raised on the northern beaches, I am deeply committed to giving young people a voice in parliament.
Why are you running?
I’m standing for Mackellar because, as a young person witnessing the climate crisis unfold before me, I think of the future and see the changes we urgently need.
The lack of young, diverse voices in parliament – where debate is dominated by the market-oriented rhetoric of our major parties – contributes to young people’s climate anxiety, political apathy, and increasing desire to disconnect from society.
As a Mackellar resident, I’m also in touch with local issues. I’m passionate about protecting Mackellar’s beautiful environment – bush, beaches, and lagoons. Alongside this, I’m absolutely committed to fighting for:
– Clean, green and publicly-owned renewable infrastructure, which will promote Australia as a renewable superpower and push down power bills.
– Mental health and dental treatment to be included in Medicare – so that everyone can get the care they need, when they need it.
– Free education from preschool to TAFE and university – so that everyone can access a high-quality education in this country.
– Decisive action to halt the extinction crisis by protecting and restoring our forests, rivers, oceans, and the Great Barrier Reef.
– A retrospective ICAC that investigates allegations of corruption against politicians and government officials.
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