Wakehurst, NSW election: Search for ‘Teal’ candidate to knock off Libs in safe seat

Those behind the rise of the political game-changing ‘Teal’ independents, who stormed federal parliament, are now on the march for state election success.

The ‘teal’ independents are on the march again on the northern beaches with a new push to win a seat at next year’s state election.

A group called “Wakehurst’s Independent” has launched a recruitment campaign for a candidate to take on political veteran Brad Hazzard in the safe Liberal seat of Wakehurst.

Organisers say they will follow the winning “formula” that led to Avalon Beach doctor Sophie Scamps, a teal independent, defeating Liberal Jason Falinski in Mackellar at the May federal ballot.

Independent MP for Mackellar Sophie Scamps (second from left) with other independent MPs including Kylea Tink, Zali Steggall, Allegra Spender, Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel. Wakehurst’s independent is following the same formula that had Dr Scamps elected, for its future state election candidate. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

They’ve even had their own blue t-shirts made.

But it won’t be able to rely on financial backing from the fundraising group Climate 200, founded by millionaire businessman Simon Holmes a Court. It contributed $700,000 to Dr Scamps’ campaign, but under NSW political campaign donation rules, it could only contribute a maximum of $3,300.

Many of the new group’s founding members were election campaign volunteers for Dr Scamps and two-term Warringah independent MP Zali Steggall.

They want an “independent voice in parliament, “free of party lead agendas” because there is “widespread community dissatisfaction with party politics” and a “lack of government integrity”.

Wakehurst’s Independent said it wants a “community-backed” candidate, who will champion issues such as action on climate change; integrity and transparency in politics, protecting the natural environment and pushing for health reform, in the NSW parliament.

It also aims to sign up hundreds of volunteer campaign workers — similar to Ms Steggall’s “Zali Army” — as part of its bid to win Wakehurst. Ms Steggall had more than 1200 volunteers on her books at the last election where she defeated Liberal Katherine Deves.

Independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall had 1200 volunteers for her federal election campaign. Picture; Supplied

The Wakehurst’s Independent group has already established a website where it calls on locals who think they can be a successful candidate to put their names forward.

Wakehurst’s Independent spokeswoman Sarah Baker, said the bid to find an independent to represent the area came after rumours Mr Hazzard may decide not to run in March.

Ms Baker, from Frenchs Forest, ran for Northern Beaches Council at the December local government election as part of the Your Northern Beaches independent team lead by Mayor Michael Regan. She was also a supporter of Voices of Mackellar, a group that backed Dr Scamps’ winning campaign.

“With Jonathan O’Dea (State Liberal MP) resigning this week in Davidson, and rumours Brad Hazzard will soon resign, we are calling on potential candidates committed to representing the voice of our community in state parliament to come forward,” Ms Baker said.

“As a safe Liberal seat up until now, we’ve seen again and again how our community has been taken for granted.”

Ms Baker cited a recent decision by NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts to give planning approval for a housing estate on bushland at Belrose owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council without consulting with Mr Hazzard “despite being in the same party”.

A recruitment campaign has started to find an independent candidate to take on current Liberal MP for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“The time is right to launch a search for someone aligned to our community’s values, who

wants to represent Wakehurst’s unique issues in state parliament.”

Wakehurst’s Independent is now surveying locals to work out which issues its candidate should focus on. The survey is on its website

It has already been speaking with locals at Dee Why to get their views.

Mr Hazzard has been contacted for comment.

* NSW has a preferential voting system for state elections which gives voters the opportunity to register support for a minor party or independent candidate, while using their optional second and later preferences to help determine who does win the seat.