Rory Amon: Parents shocked alleged child abuse MP can live near primary school

Parents of children who attend a school opposite the home of a former Sydney MP say they are shocked he is allowed to live across the road while facing child sex charges.

The unit block (left) where former Liberal MP Rory Amon lives, which is across the road from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (right). Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Parents of children who attend a school opposite the home of a former Sydney MP facing child sex charges say they are shocked and upset he is allowed to live across the road while his case runs its course through the courts.

Strict bail conditions imposed on Rory Amon, the former Liberal member for Pittwater, must live at his home address, which is close to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School at Narrabeen.

But parents spoken to by the Manly Daily on Monday say they can’t believe he os able to live near the school while he fights the charges.

“I’m in disbelief that a person facing such serious allegations against a child is allowed near my daughter’s school,” father Mauricio Motta said.

A mum, who asked not to named, said Amon “shouldn’t be anywhere near a school’ until the case was finalised.

An image from the Instagram account of the former MP for Pittwater, Rory Amon. Picture: Instagram

“I’m shocked that he lives across the road from school,” the woman said.

Another mother said Amon was a guest at a school assembly at St Joseph’s three weeks ago.

Amon quit NSW Parliament on Friday after he was charged with 10 historical child sexual assault offences, including five counts of having sexual intercourse with a child between the ages of 10 and 14.

He was also charged with two counts of indecent assault of a child under 16, two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child between the ages of 10 and 14, and with committing an act of indecency with a child under 16.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, which is across the road from the residence of former Liberal MP Rory Amon. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Amon has denied the charges, which relate to a teenage boy, and vowed to fight them in court.

Another dad questioned how police could properly monitor Amon’s movements while the former politician was on bail.

“I am 100 per cent concerned that a school with little kids is close by,” he said.

“It’s not very appropriate.”

A father, with two boys at St Joseph’s, which has classes from kindergarten to year 6, said he was “not overly comfortable with the situation”.

“But I guess if a person abides by their bail conditions and behaves the way they’ve been ordered to, then so be it”.

Another mother said it was a “upsetting” that the school had to be now be aware of the proximity of Amon, but she acknowledged the former MP had not been found guilty of any offences at this stage.

Former Northern Beaches Councillor Michael Gencher, who may put his name forward for Liberal preselection for the Pittwater by-election next month. Picture: Supplied

The parents expressed their concerns as the Liberals work to find a candidate to stand in the by-election to replace Amon on October 19.

Another former Liberal MP for the seat, Rob Stokes, has already publicly backed outgoing Liberal Northern Beaches deputy mayor Georgia Ryburn, to be preselected.

Ms Ryburn’s political career was halted after she was caught up in the NSW Liberal Party’s local government election nomination debacle.

A campaign photograph of Jacqui Scruby, who ran as an independent candidate for Pittwater at the March 2023 NSW election. Picture: Supplied

There has also been speculation that another former Northern Beaches councillor, Michael Gencher, who actually lives in the electorate, may put his name forward.

Whomever is chosen was likely to have to take on an independent, Jacqui Scruby.

Ms Scruby lost to Amon by just 606 two-party preferred votes at last year’s state election, but was yet to confirm if she would run.