Pittwater by-election: ‘Teal’ independent Jacqui Scruby to take on Liberals
An “underdog” independent says the Liberal Party is in “complete chaos” ahead of the Pittwater by-election, triggered by the resignation of child sex-accused former MP Rory Amon.
Manly
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A “teal” independent is aiming to grab what was once a blue ribbon northern beaches Liberal seat at next month’s surprise Pittwater by-election, saying the party is in “complete chaos” and branding it “completely ineffectual”.
Jacqui Scruby, who described herself as the “underdog”, has announced she will run on October 19 in the poll triggered by the resignation of former Liberal MP Rory Amon, who quit NSW Parliament when he was charged with 10 child sex offences last Friday.
Amon has vowed to defend the charges.
This is Ms Scruby’s second tilt at the seat.
At the March 2023 election, she lost to Amon by just 606 votes and now needs a swing of just 0.7 per cent to win the seat.
She formally announced her run, in front of dozens of supporters and campaign volunteers at the Bayview Yacht Racing Association Clubhouse on Pittwater on Thursday morning.
Ms Scruby, a 40-year-old environmental lawyer, 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.
The popular state independent MP for the neighbouring electorate of Wakehurst, Michael Regan, also endorsed her for Pittwater.
During her 2023 campaign for Pittwater, Ms Scruby told voters that she would be an MP “who delivers for the community and not a political party machine”.
This time around, she 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.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to join a strong crossbench, hold the government to account and deliver for Pittwater,” she said.
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 schools would be high on her agenda.
“This is an exciting day, because the people of Pittwater deserve better,” Ms Scruby said.
She said if a Liberal MP was elected, they would only be in opposition and “therefore completely ineffectual”.
“But (they would) also (be) representing a party that is in complete chaos and has ongoing scandal after scandal,” Ms Scruby said.
She described the “Liberal brand” in Pittwater as “tainted.”
A Liberal candidate for Pittwater is yet to be chosen, but a preselection vote is expected next week, with lawyer Claire Longley in the running alongside three former Northern Beaches councillors in Georgia Ryburn, Michael Gencher and Bianca Crvelin.
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