Pittwater by-election: NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman warns choosing teal independent Jacqui Scruby is ‘vote for Labor’

Locals have been warned they would be neglected by a state Labor government “that’s not interested in the northern beaches” if an independent wins the upcoming Pittwater by-election.

Opposition leader Mark Speakman, with the deputy leader of the NSW Liberal Party, Natalie Ward, outside a meeting of Liberal Party members on Thursday night. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

The NSW Liberal Party leader has warned locals they would be neglected by the state government if a “teal” independent wins the upcoming Pittwater by-election.

Mark Speakman said voting for an independent would only “entrench a Labor government that’s not interested in the northern beaches”.

He made the comments while speaking exclusively to the Manly Daily on his way into a private meeting attended by more than 200 Liberal Party members in Newport on Thursday night, following what he described as a “tumultuous month for Pittwater”.

Deputy leader Natalie Ward also attended the hastily convened meeting of northern beaches Liberals, which was called to rally the troops amid fears the blue ribbon Liberal seat could be lost to self-described “community independent” Jacqui Scruby at a by-election next month.

“Teal” independent Jacqui Scruby at the Bayview Yacht Racing Association clubhouse on Thursday for the launch of her campaign to win the Pittwater by-election. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

The by-election was triggered by the resignation last Friday of former Liberal MP Rory Amon, who has vowed to defend 10 child sex charges.

Ms Scruby announced her tilt at the seat at a campaign launch at Bayview on Thursday morning.

She came close to winning it only 18 months ago, having come within 606 votes of defeating Amon at the March 2023 state election.

Ms Scruby said if she was elected to the parliament’s crossbench, she would work with the minority Minns Labor government — already supported by two independents —

to “deliver for Pittwater”.

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

Opposition leader Mark Speakman, with the deputy leader of the NSW Liberal Party, Natalie Ward, at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

“But (they would) also (be) representing a party that is in complete chaos and has ongoing scandal after scandal.”

But Mr Speakman warned, prior to entering the Royal Motor Yacht Club, that a vote for a “teal” would only entrench Labor in power.

“The Labor government, here, has cancelled funding for the Mona Vale Rd (West) project,” he said.

“They don’t appear to be interested in helping upgrade Wakehurst Parkway for floodproofing, and projects like (the revamp) of Newport Surf Club.

“You need a Liberal here to fight for those projects.

“If you have a teal, it’s just going to be entrenching a Labor government that’s not interested in the northern beaches.”

The northern beaches Liberals are set to select their by-election candidate after four hopefuls put their names forward.

The contenders including two Northern Beaches councillors, who missed out on running in next weekend’s local government elections following the Liberals’ nominations debacle.

Three of the four Liberal Party preselection candidates for the October 19 Pittwater by-election: (left to right) Claire Longley, Michael Gencher and Georgia Ryburn.

Mr Speakman said he wanted to “reassure the locals that we will fight really hard” to win the poll.

“It’s been a tumultuous month here in Pittwater,” he said on Thursday night.

“(But) we’ve got a great story to tell.

“When we were in government, we delivered for the northern beaches, Pittwater in particular, and we want to make sure that Pittwater retains strong Liberal representation.

“And we will want to earn every vote we can.”

Liberal Northern Beaches councillor Bianca Crvelin is understood to be looking for Pittwater preselection. Picture: Karen Watson for Northern Beaches Council

Manly MP James Griffin and Davidson MP Matt Cross also attended the two-hour, standing room only meeting, where the mood was described as “positive”.

It is understood Mr Speakman and Ms Ward outlined the messages that needed to be pushed to help gain victory.

A call also went out for party members to volunteer to help campaign for the Liberal candidate, expected to be chosen next week.