NSW Election 2023: Ballot places set for northern beaches’ seats as campaigns heat up for March 25 vote
The draws for places on the ballot papers for the March 25 state election are done. See which candidates are ruinning in Wakehurst, Manly and Pittwater.
Manly
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Nominations for people wanting to run for state parliament at the upcoming election have closed — giving northern beaches voters their first look at the official list of candidates.
And after the NSW Electoral Commission ballot draws on Thursday morning, locals can see which candidates have drawn the coveted number one spot on the ballot papers in Manly, Wakehurst and Pittwater.
In Pittwater, Liberal Rory Amon, a member of Northern Beaches Council, will top the ballot list which contains the names of just four candidates.
His main rival, so-called “Teal” independent Jacqui Scruby, is number two on the ballot paper.
The Liberal candidate in Manly, incumbent MP James Griffin, has drawn the last spot on the ballot which contains the names of seven candidates.
Dr Phillip Altman, an independent who is concerned with the “safety and efficacy” of gene-based COVID-19 “vaccines” will top the ballot paper while “Teal” independent Joeline Hackman will be number two.
Sue Wright, a community activist who is running for the Labor Party in what is expected to be one of the closest contests on the northern beaches, has drawn the number one spot in Wakehurst.
Ms Wright, who has fought against privatisation of public services will top the list of six candidates vying for the so-called “blue ribbon” conservative seat.
The battle to win Wakehurst has become the focus of statewide attention with the prospect of a close result in the election overall, resulting in a “hung” parliament with independents holding the balance of power.
Northern Beaches mayor Michael Regan, who drew the last spot on the ballot paper, is trying the grab the seat from the Liberals, represented at this election by Toby Williams, after popular MP Brad Hazzard announced his retirement.
Mr Williams worked in Mr Hazzard’s electorate office, but has built up his own personal community profile through his former directorship at Dee Why RSL Club, being vice-chair of Harbord Bowling Club and president of the Manly Warringah Football Referees Association.
After the ballot draw at the NSW Electoral Commission office at Brookvale on Thursday morning, Mr William said he was not unhappy that he was drawn at number five on the ballot.
“It doesn’t mean a thing,” he said. “I’m focused on the community and its needs and I’ll continue to go out there and spruik the positive messages that we’ve got.
Mr Williams said he been receiving “overwhelmingly positive” feedback on the campaign trail with voters telling him that public transport was one of their biggest concerns.
“We’ve go a bus driver shortage at the moment but (the government) released a plan earlier this week to address that.”
Mr Regan was not upset that he was placed last on the ballot paper.
“It’s kind of serendipitous,” he said. “It happened to me back in 2008 when I first ran for council in Warringah. I was bottom of the page.
“Hopefully, it’s a positive sign.”
Mr Regan said he was receiving a “really positive vibe out there” with lots of “thumbs up”.
“There’s lots of issues that people felt haven’t been dealt with for a long time and they’re tired of not being heard … we’re getting a lot of that sort of feedback.”
“But you never know until the day, right?”
Order of ballot paper draw for Wakehurst:
1. Sue Wright — Labor
2. Greg Mawson — Sustainable Australia
3. Susan Sorensen — Animal Justice Party
4. Ethan Hrnjak — The Greens
5. Toby Williams — Liberal
6. Michael Regan — Independent
Order of ballot paper for Manly:
1. Phillip Altman — Independent
2. Joeline Hackman — Independent
3. Terrance Le Roux — The Greens
4. Emanuele Paletto — Sustainable Australia – Stop Overdevelopment/Corruption
5. Bailey Connor Mason — Animal Justice Party
6. Jasper Thatcher — Labor
7. James Griffin — Liberal
Order of ballot paper for Pittwater:
1. Rory Amon — Liberal
2. Jacqui Scruby — Independent
3. Hilary Green — The Greens
4. Craig Law — Sustainable Australia – Stop Overdevelopment/Corruption
5. Jeffrey Quinn — Labor
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