Pittwater by-election: Candidate Georgia Ryburn vows embattled Liberals can still deliver for locals

The embattled Liberals may struggle to retain Pittwater at the upcoming by-election after the shock resignation of the party’s former MP, but his would-be replacement insists she can deliver for locals.

Former Northern Beaches deputy mayor Georgia Ryburn is the Liberal candidate for the Pittwater by-election on October 19. She says that her family’s deep roots in the community and her time on the council means that she will be able to deliver what the locals want and need. Picture: Supplied

The Liberal candidate battling to hang on to Pittwater at this month’s surprise by-election has vowed to deliver for locals, despite the party struggling to overcome controversy surrounding its former MP.

Georgia Ryburn urged voters to remember that the Liberals had what she described as a lengthy history of fighting for the electorate.

In an exclusive interview with the Manly Daily, Ms Ryburn said, if elected on October 19, she would continue the tradition of local Liberals standing up to Labor state governments.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal MP Rory Amon, who quit NSW parliament when he was arrested and charged last month with 10 child sex offences. Amon has vowed to defend the charges.

Ms Ryburn, a former deputy mayor on the Northern Beaches Council, said the Liberals had a track record in Pittwater of delivering for the locals.

Georgia Ryburn (centre) with (left to right) Manly MP James Griffin, Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane, Liberal MLC Scott Farlow and Davidson MP Matt Cross.

“I have had a track record of doing that for Pittwater on council and that’s exactly what I’m determined to continue to do,” she said.

Ms Ryburn said she had worked as a councillor to improve the Pittwater area, including by pushing for key public infrastructure such as the new Warriewood Community Centre.

Georgia Ryburn says she has been working hard for Pittwater as a member of Northern Beaches Council and will keep working for it, if elected. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Ryburn also reminded voters that when the Labor government announced its statewide housing reforms, which could mean more local high-rise and medium-density accommodation, she called for the council to immediately state that it was against the “one-size-fits-all” policy.

“If I’m privileged to be able to serve Pittwater … I’ll be joining a strong team of Liberals who are already standing up against Labor in government,” she said on Monday.

“They are a robust, experienced party who are fighting for their communities.

“That’s exactly what I will do in Pittwater.”

Rory Amon, the former Liberal MP for Pittwater, checks in to Dee Why Police station in accordance with his bail conditions. Picture: NewsWire / Thomas Lisson

While campaigning at the Warriewood Markets on Friday, Ms Ryburn said she heard from parents about the need for funding to improve local schools.

“I’m passionate about ensuring that we get the funding for our schools to give our kids the best educational outcomes and best opportunities when they graduate,” she said.

Ms Ryburn said she was constantly hearing about locals’ frustrations with the Labor government’s decision to halt funding to upgrade Mona Vale Rd (West).

“I am determined to get that funding back and fix Mona Vale Rd once and for all,” she said.

Georgia Ryburn campaigning in Narrabeen. Picture: Supplied

Ms Ryburn is taking on independent Jacqui Scruby, who has taken the aim at the fact she lives outside the Pittwater electorate boundary.

“If you seek to represent an electorate, you should live in the electorate,” Ms Scruby told the Manly Daily.

But Ms Ryburn played down attacks suggesting she is “not a local”, describing herself as a “proud, fourth-generation northern beaches local” who lives at Frenchs Forest, just outside the Pittwater electorate boundary.

She said she and her family were well-known in the community, where they had deep roots dating back more than 100 years.

Jacqui Scruby, the independent candidate for Pittwater, has been critical of Georgia Ryburn for not living in the electorate. Picture: Supplied

“I can’t tell you the number of doors I’ve opened and they’ve said, ‘oh Georgia, yes, I went to school with your mum’ or ‘your dad taught me’,” Ms Ryburn said.

Her father, Peter Downey, is principal at Oxford Falls Grammar School and taught at St Luke’s Grammar at Dee Why.

Her mother also grew up in Bayview, while her grandfather was one of the first captains of Bungan Surf Life Saving Club.

This is Ms Scruby’s second attempt at grabbing Pittwater after she narrowly lost by about 600 votes at last year’s state election.

But Ms Ryburn, a management consultant specialising in education and skills policy reform, said her time as a Liberal councillor, as well as a close connection to the electorate, made her the best candidate to become its MP.

Georgia Ryburn at Mona Vale Bakery while out talking to small business owners. Picture: Supplied

“It’s also about knowing the community groups, small businesses, families,” she said.

“My focus has been the issues that matter to them and how I’m going to serve them, advocate for them, and deliver for them if I get the privilege of being in parliament.

“That’s what matters most to me.”