NSW Election 2019: Guide to candidates taking on Brad Hazzard in Wakehurst

With just days to go until NSW goes to the polls here is your guide to who is running in Wakehurst and what they stand for.

Sitting Liberal MP for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard has a massive margin.

With just days to go until NSW goes to the polls here is your guide to who is running in Wakehurst and what they stand for.

Liberal Brad Hazzard has a massive margin and is expected to hold his seat, but he has six challengers hoping to beat him.

We asked them all to provide a short bio, a bit about their political experience and background and to list their top three priorities/issues in the electorate.

BRAD HAZZARD

LIBERAL

A BIT ABOUT YOU:

Attended Manly West Public School and Manly High. Spent many happy hours at Queenscliff and North Curly beaches. Loved playing for Manly Vale soccer club and watching the Sea Eagles at Brookie.

These days, I enjoy walks at the beach and around Narrabeen Lagoon (with our two brown Labradors).

I started as a science teacher at North Sydney Boys’ High School and later taught at local high schools, including Cromer and Manly, while I studied law. I obtained a law degree from the UNSW and a Masters in Law from Sydney University.

I enjoyed supporting locals through my Manly legal practice. I also became a court arbitrator. I became interested in politics and joined the Liberal Party as a volunteer.

I have two sons, who both attended local schools and we all still love the northern beaches.

YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

I have represented Wakehurst since 1991. I have held many shadow ministerial portfolios and been a Minister in several portfolios. My primary interest though has always been doing what I can for locals.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:

Protecting our unique northern beaches environment is always front and centre.

Getting protections in place like those implemented for the Narrabeen Lagoon catchment are a priority. Getting the walkway right around Narrabeen Lagoon completed and seeing so many people enjoy our natural environment has been a highlight.

Improving public transport has been a prime focus. The new B-Line has been an amazing success. A similar style east-west link is now on the agenda.

Supporting our local schools and ensuring airconditioning comes as quickly as possible as well as promoting the growth of jobs on the peninsula for young people leaving school are a key focus as well.

CHRIS SHARPE

LABOR

A BIT ABOUT YOU:

I live in Beacon Hill with my wife, Tricia, and I grew up on the northern beaches and attended both Dee Why Primary and Cromer High schools.

Together with my wife we are regulars with the Manly Meals on Wheels program and I also do volunteer work with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Boccia NSW.

I currently work in the information and communications technology industry and I have a degree in Business and a Masters in Business Administration.

YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

I have been a Labor Party member since 1992 and I have stood as a Labor candidate in federal and state elections as well as twice in council elections.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:

Ensure the Northern Beaches Hospital is fully resourced and stop further privatisation by the Liberal Government.

Further upgrades to local public transport that includes an east-west express bus service.

Flood proofing the notorious section of the Wakehurst Parkway, so as to improve the access to the new hospital and for commuters generally.

LILITH ZAHARIAS

THE GREENS

A BIT ABOUT YOU:

Hi, I’m Lilith. I’m running for parliament because the challenges faced by our younger generations become more difficult the longer nothing is done. Together, we can ensure that our children have a safe and positive future.

I’ve lived on the northern beaches all my life, and feel very deeply connected to the environment up here. It’s such a unique part of Sydney, so relaxed and beautiful.

There are so many challenges and problems facing our communities, locally and throughout Australia and the world. Costs of living continue to rise while wage growth stagnates and job security falls. Our healthcare, education, and social services systems are in crisis with too few resources allocated to meet the needs of a growing population.

Meanwhile, climate change poses an urgent existential threat to the survival of our ecosystems and our species.

For too long, politicians have been selling us dodgy solutions to these real problems. For too long, they have been able to get away with inaction while things keep getting worse.

YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

I have spent the last five years at uni learning all about our political system and some of the key issues and challenges facing our society.

I’ve also focused on understanding the economy as a key method for improving outcomes for everybody.

I’ve also volunteered in the office of Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, both in federal parliament and her state parliament office when she was an MLC. I learned so much from her about advocating for a more equitable and compassionate world.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:

Improving public services like healthcare, transport, and education.

Introducing pill testing.

Safe affordable housing for everybody

GREG MAWSON

SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY

A BIT ABOUT YOU:

I have lived on the northern beaches for the last 35 years.

I am particularly concerned about the impact excessive population growth has had on the local area and Australia in general.

Overdevelopment causing overcrowding and excessive strain on public services and infrastructure needs urgent attention and political change.

YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

I am passionate about political integrity and democratic values and believe that politicians should listen more to the local community.

I am running as a candidate in Wakehurst to give local constituents the opportunity to send a clear message to government: “We want to be heard and we want our political representatives to act in our best interest”.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:

Overdevelopment causing overcrowding and excessive strain on public services and infrastructure needs urgent attention and political change. I am particularly concerned about the impact excessive population growth has had on the local area and Australia in general. We need better planning to stop overdevelopment.

Affordable housing is another big concern. Australia’s economy at present is excessively reliant on property speculation. This is fuelled by several things including tax incentives and rapid population growth.

Firstly, by reforming some of the tax concessions we can further make housing affordable. Secondly, by dropping immigration from the record high 200,000 per annum, back to the long-term average of 70,000 we can lessen these population stresses. This will make housing much more affordable for the people of Wakehurst, especially for first home buyers and renters.

Secure jobs via a more varied economy. This is another issue that is caused by our economy being exceedingly dependent on property speculation. Individual’s investments are primarily profiting off rent paid by tenants rather than industrious projects. Through a varied economy we can embolden reinvestment in factories farms and small businesses.

KATIKA SCHULTZ

KEEP SYDNEY OPEN

A BIT ABOUT YOU:

I am so lucky to have been born into this beautiful area and proud to call it home.

I am strongly involved in the art scene on the northern beaches and have recently initiated an artist run gallery in Narrabeen called Yaw way. This will be a platform for local artists to show their work without having to worry about the costs and risks of conventional gallery exhibitions.

This is who I am. An artist foremost.

I am someone who feels strongly about sharing with others. Sharing the amazing voices and talent in this amazing place we call home. I am an artist, I am a young person and I am a proud resident of the Northern Beaches.

YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

I have been engaging in politics and attending political rallies since I was a teenager.

I have always felt a strong urge to act when politics steers in a bad direction. Whether it is against unjust wars or environmental disaster, I have always felt compelled to send a message to the powers that be.

Keep Sydney Open has struck a chord with me and I have decided to take the fight to the election.

I can’t bear to watch what is happening to this city under the Liberal party. I’m not a political operator or a suit looking for a career. I just cannot sit by and watch our city have the soul torn away by self-interested politicians and their developer mates.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:

24-hour reliable and safe public transport options.

Supporting the amazing talent we have on the northern beaches

“Agent of Change” policy to ensure developers do not create war between venues and residents.

DARREN HOUGH

INDEPENDENT

A BIT ABOUT YOU:

I’m a 44yo business coach. I help organisations build a culture of trust, respect, transparency, collaboration and accountability. We use metrics and evidence to have robust discussions, challenge the status quo and continually improve our performance.

My brother is a nurse, my sister a teacher, my mother is on the pension, and my father was in the mines, before he committed suicide with terrible depression when I was 20.

YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

I’m not a politician, and I’d prefer not to have to put my hand up, but, I’m disillusioned with the major parties.

Evidence is important to me, however the main parties consistently put ideology, and their backers before the electorate. I have not accepted any donations, I don’t have any favours I need to repay. I will represent the people of Wakehurst and NSW, period.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:

Brad Hazzard our Health Minister’s opposition to Pill testing was the final straw. Kids make dumb mistakes, they should not pay for it with their lives. Europe has been doing pill testing at festivals for decades. The evidence shows it does not increase drug use and saves lives.

Another terrible decision by Mr Hazzard was to close local public hospital facilities. It is outrageous that they’ve been replaced with a publicly funded, privately owned hospital that the owners are attempting to sell it to a Cayman tax haven.

I will advocate the reopening of public health services.

Developers in Wakehurst are using Affordable Housing legislation to bypass council zoning to build medium density apartments in low density areas and there are no restrictions to ensure the housing is genuinely affordable housing.

I am an advocate for Affordable Housing, but it is clear the existing legislation is not fit for purpose. We need to fix this loophole and allow our town planners to do their job.

SUSAN SORENSEN

ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY

A BIT ABOUT YOU:

I am a resident of the northern beaches and a teacher who has focused for well over 33 years on inspiring children and their families to appreciate and want to protect the natural world and the people and animals we share it with.

I volunteer my time to advocate for the rights of animals and I’m a participant in animal rights and environmental awareness campaigns with the intention to be a voice against cruelty, a voice for kindness, for equality, rationality and nonviolence.

YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

I am an ordinary person who joined the Animal Justice Party in 2017 to advocate for the animals, the environment and future generations. I believe that the AJP is “the only party with an unbiased big vision for a compassionate and sustainable world”.

After many years of signing petitions, attending rallies, writing letters to Members of parliament, supporting environmental groups and changing my own lifestyle to effect change, I wanted to support the AJP’s representation at a political level.

As a Lower House candidate and as someone who has researched and learnt about what is ignored and hidden, I know that with another MP at the state parliament level, the AJP can work towards ensuring that animals, people and the environment are considered when any new bill or legislation is introduced.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:

Building lifesaving wildlife overpasses and exclusion fencing across the electorate.

Protecting oceans, marine life and bushland from over development, plastics and pollution.

Creating greener spaces for local community use and supporting further development of the public transport system.