Pittwater by-election: Community independent Jacqui Scruby reveals voter concerns in battle for former blue-ribbon Liberal seat

The community independent candidate for next month’s Pittwater by-election reveals the “hot button issues” that are worrying local voters.

Community independent candidate for the state seat of Pittwater at the October 19 by-election, Jacqui Scruby, at the launch of her campaign. She has been listening to locals’ “hot button issues”. Picture: Supplied

The independent candidate aiming to snatch the seat of Pittwater from the Liberal Party at next month’s surprise by-election has revealed the list of “hot button issues” locals want her to fix.

Jacqui Scruby, who describes herself as a “community independent”, says transport, school funding, Northern Beaches Hospital, housing and the cost of living top the list of concerns for voters in the former blue ribbon conservative seat.

And Ms Scruby, who narrowly missed out on becoming the MP for Pittwater by just over 600 votes at last year’s full state election, said residents were fed up at being ignored by the Liberals.

She will be taking on Liberal candidate Georgia Ryburn, the most recent deputy mayor on Northern Beaches Council, at the October 19 poll.

The Liberal candidate for the state seat of Pittwater at the October 19, by-election, Georgia Ryburn, campaigning in Narrabeen. Picture: Facebook

Ms Ryburn was set to run again for council at the recent local government election, but was caught up in the Liberal head office nomination form scandal and did not get her name on the ballot paper.

Ms Scruby, who announced her candidacy at Bayview on September 5, has already said the Liberals were in “complete chaos” and branded it “completely ineffectual”.

She has also taken a swipe at Ms Ryburn for running in Pittwater, even though she does not live in the electorate.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal MP Rory Amon, who quit NSW parliament when he was charged with 10 child sex offences

Amon has vowed to defend the charges.

Ms Scruby, a 40-year-old environmental lawyer, mother of two, small business owner and climate change adviser, received endorsement from teal federal MP Sophie Scamps.

She was Dr Scamps’ campaign manager when the latter took the seat of Mackellar from Liberal Jason Falinski in the “teal wave” during the last federal election.

Community independent candidate for the state seat of Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby (right), with the independent federal MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps. Picture: Supplied

Ms Scruby said she expected independents in parliament would be able to have a greater say and “really deliver for their communities”, given there was a minority Labor government in place.

She said if a Liberal MP was elected, they would be in Opposition and “therefore completely ineffectual”.

Ms Scruby said, if elected, her focus would not be on party politics or “cleaning up party scandals”, but looking at cost of living, including skyrocketing home insurance costs and environmental protection issues.

Improving Mona Vale Rd and Wakehurst Parkway, as well as chasing more funding for local schools, would be high on her agenda.

A head on crash between a ute and hatchback on Mona Vale Rd at Ingleside in August, 2023. Jacqui Scruby wants to pressure the NSW Government to fund the upgrade of Mona Vale Rd (West), to make it safer: Picture: Terrey Hills Rural Fire Service

She said the latest official data on ambulance arrival times were also alarming.

“Patients across the northern beaches are waiting longer for ambulances, with people in Pittwater having to deal with increased response times,” she said.

Ms Scruby also pointed out that public services at Northern Beaches Hospital were at full stretch due to staffing and funding issues as well as the previous Coalition Government’s decision to allow a private company run its public facilities.

The independent said she had been “really humbled” with the support she had received.

“I’ve been out and about in the community, having chats and a lot of people have come up to men, just excited for a different way of doing politics, having a community independent representing them,” she said.

Community independent candidate Jacqui Scruby, at the launch of her campaign on September 5, 2024. Picture: Supplied

Ms Scruby said people “remember the past” with Pittwater under the Liberals and constantly brought up the Coalition’s privatisation of local bus services and the hospital.

“They don’t think the Liberals have delivered for this seat and are ready for different representation,” she said.

Ms Scruby also questioned why the Liberals chose Ms Ryburn as their candidate.

“If you seek to represent an electorate, you should live in the electorate.

“We all choose to live here.

“It’s not the most convenient location in the world, but it’s also a stunningly beautiful location. It’s unique.”

Six campaign issues Jacqui Scruby is focusing on:

■ Fixing Mona Vale Rd and Wakehurst Parkway;

■ Lobbying for lower energy bills and home insurance changes to assist with cost of living pressures;

■ Tackling shortage of sporting facilities and the maintenance of the athletics track at the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen;

■ Ambulance response times and public services at Northern Beaches Hospital;

■ Housing affordability and pushing back against the State Government’s blanket planning push to increase local housing density and;

■ More funding to fix dilapidated school facilities.