Voter’s guide for the Manly by-election

AS voters head to their local school or hall to pick up a democracy sausage — and possibly vote — on Saturday they will be met by a 12-strong field of candidates — here’s a snapshot of the candidates.

Greater Manly Residents' Forum event which hosted James Griffin, Kathryn Ridge, Ron Delezio and Clara Williams Roldan Picture: Martin Lange

• Greens strike first in Manly by-election
• Taxpayers slugged with $750K bill to replace Mike Baird
• Ron Delezio quits Liberals to run as independent in Manly
• Kathryn Ridge puts up hand as independent

AS voters head to their local school or hall to pick up a democracy sausage — and possibly vote — on Saturday they will be met by a 12-strong field of candidates.

For the undecided voters, the Manly Daily has provided a form guide comparing each candidate for Mike Baird’s vacant seat.

THE CANDIDATES:

HARIS JACKMAN (Ind):

Haris Jackman is an Independant candidate for Manly. Picture: Annika Enderborg.

• Wants better public transport including all day express buses to and from the city
• Supports Manly Oval carpark

• Cheaper childcare options
• Would change granny flat laws to improve housing affordability

THE 30-year-old North Manly resident is an advocate of plans to build a carpark under Manly Oval — unless a better parking solution can be found.

The independent candidate wants to explore the idea of donating land to build affordable childcare centres, while people who have large gardens should be able to build more than one granny flat. The former Freshwater High student also wants Brookvale to become Sydney’s next “entertainment and recreation precinct”.

JOHN COOK (Ind):

Independent candidate for Manly, John Cook at his house in Manly Vale. Picture: Annika Enderborg.

• Stronger strata laws
•  Against Manly Vale Public School redevelopment
• Wants more details on northern beaches tunnel
• Would reinstate direct buses from the peninsula to the airport

BAD experiences dealing with a strata management company led John Cook to the world of politics.

The independent candidate, 55, said the issues he had in strata situations — such as getting things fixed — were common and needed to be addressed, particularly with a growing dependence on unit living.

The father of two lives near Manly Vale Public School and is against the amount of bushland to be removed as part of the school’s redevelopment.

He also raised concerns about increased traffic issues caused by the school expansion.

KERRY BROMSON (VEP)

Kerry Bromson the Manly candidate for the Voluntary Euthanasia Party. Picture: Adam Yip.

• Advocate for voluntary euthanasia
• Supports the northern beaches tunnel
• Wants to examine more options for affordable housing
• Says she would listen to community concerns

THE plight of her brother Max Bromson led Kerry into the political arena.

Max became an advocate for voluntary euthanasia, and ran as a federal candidate for the Voluntary Euthanasia Party in 2013 while living with constant pain from terminal bone cancer. He eventually filmed himself taking his own life in 2014 while surrounded by his family.

Ms Bromson, a Fairlight resident, said many locals support the right of terminally ill people to take their own lives.

ANNIE WRIGHT (CDP)

Christian Democrats candidate Annie Wright in Manly. Picture: Adam Yip.

• Wants stronger laws to protect children from exposure to pornographic material
• Anti coal seam gas fracking
• Would create better connection between transport hubs
• Improve usage of school spaces

A PUBLICIST to the stars whose CV claims responsibility for the development of performers including Abba, INXS and David Bowie, Ms Wright is a Chatswood resident, who grew up in Avalon, and wants to ban young people accessing X-rated images.

She became involved in politics as an activist against coal seam gas fracking and, while it is not a local issue, she said she would add her voice to the debate on a state level.

CLARA WILLIAMS ROLDAN (Greens)

Greens candidate Clara Williams Roldan at Manly. Picture: Adam Yip.

• Better public transport to be included with any northern beaches tunnel
• Strong environmental stance
• Against privatisation of public assets
• Would expand B-Line or equivalent east to west

THE Seaforth resident has run twice before under a Greens Banner and both times came second to the Liberal Party.

The 25-year-old said the Beaches Link Tunnel should be part of a long-term integrated solution. This would include a B-Line bus system or similar on Mona Vale and Warringah roads.

She also wants to explore a light-rail link from Chatswood to Dee Why.

JAMES GRIFFIN (LIB)

James Griffin speaking at the Greater Manly Residents' Forum. Picture: Martin Lange.

• One of five Manly Councillors whose bloc vote supported the Manly Oval carpark
• Platform is “first and foremost” to complete Mike Baird’s agenda
• Promising a Beaches Link Tunnel
• Wants to improve the usage of existing school spaces

THE former Manly deputy mayor has been unable to shake his history as a supporter of controversial plans to build a carpark under Manly Oval. He has faced scrutiny recently, but told the Manly Daily his time as a member of the decision-making Liberal bloc on the council taught him the importance of community consultation.

Mr Griffin, 32, has been surrounded by Cabinet Ministers, including Premier Gladys Berejiklian as they hammered voters with promise after promise including an adult Bear Cottage, the tunnel and the ability to use Opal cards on the Manly Fast Ferry.

BRIAN CLARE (IND)

Brian Clare an independent candidate for Manly. Picture: Supplied.

• A citizens’ militia to patrol Manly
• Wants to ban Islam, sharia law, the Koran and mosques
• Citizens would be able to call a referendum on any issue
• Cut electricity prices for people earning less than $80,000 by charging those who earn more

UNEMPLOYED people would be paid to roam the streets as security guards under Brian Clare’s vision for NSW.

Also a tunnel bypassing Mosman would be joined by light rail and a bridge crossing middle harbour.

The Galston resident, 74, wants to move unemployed migrants on government benefits out of major cities.

RON DELEZIO (IND)

Manly by-election candidate Ron Delezio at Manly Ferry Wharf. Picture: Virginia Young.

• Wants a train or light rail considered as well as a tunnel
• Would review amalgamations
• Tougher punishments for repeat driving offenders
• Would make minimum sentences harder to reduce for serious crime

THE father of dual-crash victim Sophie Delezio chose to run as an independent after quitting the Liberal Party in frustration over factional interferences.

The 63-year-old from North Balgowlah said he would ensure a tunnel was built if it was the best option, but also wanted to have multiple plans presented for public opinion.

KATHRYN RIDGE (IND)

Kathryn Ridge at the Greater Manly Residents' Forum. Picture: Martin Lange.

• Supported by key independents including former Manly MPs Peter MacDonald and David Barr
• Would heritage list Manly Oval
• Strong environment background
• Focused on transport, access to public health and education

THE Manly Vale mother of two, with a strong legal and environmental background, harked back to a time when Manly was well served by former independents Peter Macdonald and David Barr.

Ms Ridge is secretary of the North Head Sanctuary Foundation and chairs the Manly Hospital Community Advisory Committee.

She is an environmental lawyer who has worked for high-profile organisations including the Nature Conservation Council.

She has held positions on several federal and state boards, including the Environmental Defenders Office.

VICTOR WATERSON (IND)

Victor Waterson Australia First Party candidate for Penrith at 2015 NSW State Election

• Immigration levels are too high
• Former Australia First candidate
• Concerned about transport and housing affordability
• Disillusioned with major parties

HE and two other men famously tried to enter Parliament House in Canberra wearing a Ku Klux Klan mask, a motorcycle helmet and a niqab to protest against burqas in public places.

The former federal Australia First candidate said he still supported the party’s values.

He argued transport was an issue because there were already too many people.

“The immigration we’re seeing is not good for this country. It’s driving down wages,” he said.

WILL BUSH (IND)

Will Bush, independent candidate for the Manly by-election. Picture: Troy Snook

• Better support for carers
• Holding tax evaders to account
• Wants Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals to be retained
• Better housing for key workers

WILL Bush wants to see improvements made for the dedicated army of people looking after others.

As a carer himself, the independent candidate, 59, from Narrabeen, wants to see a revamp of benefits for carers plus a push to revive carers groups.

Another key issue Mr Bush wants to see tackled is tax-dodging companies. He also believes exemptions should be made to provide better housing for workers such as police and nurses.

ELLIE ROBERTSON (AJP)

Ellie Robertson, from Holsworthy, is running in the Manly by-election for the Animal Justice Party. Picture: Robert Pozo.

• Greyhound racing ban
• Would remove shark nets in NSW
• Would cancel the Manly Vale Public School redevelopment
• Passionate about disability rights

THE tunnel and expansion of Manly Vale Public School would both be scrapped by Ellie Robertson.

The Animal Justice Party candidate also wants to improve conditions for animals such as banning shark nets, and re-invoking the greyhound racing ban.

“The expansion into Manly Dam should not go ahead without further investigation.

“There needs to be respect for native animals and bushland,” Mrs Robertson said.

The Holsworthy resident wants to look at alternative ways to ease congestion at The Spit Bridge, rather than the proposed tunnel.