Manly, NSW election: Search for ‘teal’ type independent candidate to take on Lib MP James Griffin
A push has started to see a ‘teal’ type independent recruited to defeat a sitting Liberal MP on the northern beaches at the next state election.
Manly
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Another independent group has started a new push on the northern beaches to win a seat at next year’s state election.
Called “Manly Independent”, it has launched a recruitment campaign for a candidate to take on James Griffin in the Liberal seat of Manly.
Its appearance comes a week after a group called “Wakehurst’s Independent” began its bid to find a person to run against veteran Liberal MP Brad Hazzard in Wakehurst.
The new Manly group, which made its website and social media platforms public on Tuesday, describes itself as a “local community group supporting our community’s democratic representation”.
It is using the slogan “Let’s Make History Again” and refers on its web page to the election of so-called “teal” candidate Dr Sophie Scamps as the independent federal MP for Mackellar, a once safe Liberal seat.
“Manly Independent” also mentions the re-election of independent Zali Steggall, with an increased majority in the once federal blue ribbon Liberal seat of Warringah as well as the fact that the Manly electorate has a history of voting in independent MPs to the NSW Parliament — Peter Macdonald (1991-99) and David Barr (1999-2007).
It also points to the number of independent on Northern Beaches Council.
In messages similar to the “Wakehurst’s Independent”, the Manly group wants to find a candidate who will develop a policy platform based on “community consultation”.
The candidate will also have “climate action, integrity and health care” high on their agendas and “commit to doing politics differently” if they won the seat.
“Manly Independent” also wants to recruit hundreds of volunteer campaign workers — similar to Ms Steggall’s “Zali Army” — as part of its bid to win Manly. Ms Steggall had more than 1200 volunteers on her books at the last election.
some of the new Manly Independent’s members are part of the “Good For Manly” independent group, headed by deputy mayor Candy Bingham, which runs candidates for Northern Beaches Council elections.
Scott Porter, who has run as a Good For Manly candidate and is its vice president, is named as “Manly Independent” spokesperson.
But insiders say that “Good For Manly” is not involved with “Manly Independent”.
An insider said that many of the people who were enthusiastic volunteers with Good for Manly, and with Ms Steggall’s campaigns, were now members of Manly Independent because they now want to see independents represented at all levels of government.
Similar to the Wakehurst’s Independent group, Manly Independent is using its website to call on locals who think they can be a successful candidate to put their names forward.
And in a similar tactic to the Wakehurst push, the Manly group is asking voters to complete a “community survey” to work out which issues its candidate should focus on. The survey is on its website.
Mr Griffin said on Wednesday that he has lived in the Manly community for the last 25 years.
“It has been a privilege to serve our community day in and day out since being elected in 2017.
“As both the NSW Environment Minister and State Member for Manly I am enormously proud of our nation leading approach to net zero and real action on the environment.
“Having met thousands of residents and worked with countless community groups over the past five years, I know how much they love where we live and I’ll continue to fight hard for our community and deliver results to ensure Manly is the best place to live and work.”
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