Sophie Scamps: Mackellar MP issues in ‘new type of politics’ in first speech to parliament

Sophie Scamps, the new independent MP for Mackellar, tells parliament in her first speech that ‘listening to people’ is the secret to politics.

The “secret’” of how the new “teal” MP on the northern beaches swept aside her Liberal opponent and grabbed victory at the last federal election has been revealed.

Sophie Scamps, the independent member for Mackellar — a former blue ribbon Liberal seat — told parliament that “simply listening” to what the community wanted was her “strength”.

Dr Scamps, a GP from Avalon Beach who was backed by the Climate 200 independents’ political movement during her campaign against the sitting MP Jason Falinski, was making her maiden speech on Monday in front of about 100 family, friends and supporters.

Independent MP for Mackellar Sophie Scamps is congratulated by other crossbenchers, including Zali Steggall (left) after her maiden speech to parliament on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

She said this “new type of politics”, where people are not “treated condescendingly” by the big political parties, was one of the keys to her win at the May 21 poll.

voters.

“How did this wave of change happen — what was the ‘secret’? Dr Scamps asked parliament. “How did someone like me, a GP never previously active in politics, overcome more than a century of party dominated politics?

“The key, the power, I believe, was simply listening.

“Like my other crossbench colleagues, I listened to my community.

Independent MP for Mackellar Sophie Scamps said listening to what people wanted from their politicians was the key to he victory. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gary Ramage

Dr Scamps said people were asked question such as: “What do you care about? What type of representative do you want? How can your MP help to improve your quality of life?”.

“The results of this new type of politics, of putting people first, and of listening first, were astounding.

“ I had people in their 80s and 90s tell me it was the first time in their lives they had ever voted differently.

Independent MP Sophie Scamps in federal parliament on Monday for her maiden speech. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“Young people came up to me in the street asking if they could hug me, letting me know how grateful they were that instead of being treated condescendingly, someone was finally listening to their concerns, and promising to act. Promising to put their future first. 

“In 2022, listening to our communities was our strength. It transformed our community and now I hope it can transform our future.”

Independent MP Sophie Scamps wipes away tears towards the end of her speech as she thanked family, friends and supporters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Dr Scamps has already said she would introduce a Private Members Bill to stamp out “jobs for the boys” political appointments in Canberra.

She said she wanted decisions on jobs with government agencies, boards and tribunals to be more transparent.

Her proposed “Public Appointments Framework” would make sure the government jobs were publicly advertised and that independent panels would vet and shortlist the best candidates with the Minister selecting the best candidate from that list.

Dr Scamps said on Monday that she would be working to see urgent action on climate change, more investment in renewable energy and for the parliament to recognise that climate change was a “health emergency”.

The independent MP for the federal seat of Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, preparing her maiden speech to Parliament on Monday. Picture: Supplied

“We have been warned repeatedly by experts and scientists that climate change is the greatest threat to our environment, our health, our security, and our economy. And that opening any more coal or gas mines is inconsistent with the Paris Target and a liveable future,” she said.

“My question is ‘are we listening?’.

She also warned that Australia’s health workforce needed to be increased to cope with climate change as well as future pandemics and population growth and that she will support the Labor Government’s indigenous policies, including the First Nations’ Voice to parliament, and would work with it on aged care reforms.

The independent MP for the federal seat of Mackellar, Sophie Scamps (centre in black), being sworn into Parliament on July 27. Picture: Supplied

Locally, Dr Scamps said she would work to build up mental health services on the northern beaches, especially to assist young people, after she was told that residents were struggling to get the “health and mental health care they need, when they need it”.

“Tragically, the Mackellar community has grieved the loss of too many young lives through suicide,’’ she said.

“Every young life lost is utterly devastating.

“We must do better.”