What you didn’t know about Warringah’s candidates ahead of the Federal Election
Want to know Tony Abbott’s favourite karaoke song or what Zali Steggall gets up to on her weekends? If so then this guide to the 10 Warringah candidates is for you.
- New data reveals what matters most to Warringah voters
- John Howard, Mike Baird back Tony Abbott as race tightens
The battle for Warringah has been one of the most toxic election campaigns in recent memory.
We’ve had controversial billboards, a man dressed up as a chicken and an ex-husband coming out the woodwork to hurl a few insults around.
But what about the real men and women behind the candidates? The personalities behind the party branding?
As way of an introduction we asked the 10 Warringah candidates to name two facts voters probably would not know about them. Their answers may surprise you.
So what is Tony Abbott’s karaoke song, what does Zali Steggall get up to at the weekend and who is a big Taylor Swift fan?
Tomorrow at manlydaily.com.au we will bring you the candidates’ policy platforms and let you know where they stand on the big issues.
1. Heather Barnes, Animal Justice Party
Heather was born in Narrabeen and has lived in Forestville since 2006.
She initially wanted to be a vet but then switched her focus to geology, with her first real job with Exxon.
She soon decided she wanted to give something back to the community so joined the NSW Fire and Rescue Service.
She became the first professional woman firefighter in NSW. She later went on to study for a Masters in Environmental Studies and became the NSW Fire and Rescue Service’s first Environment Manager.
Her career as a firefighter came to an end when she suffered a rare form of cancer with a very poor prognosis. She survived and decided everything from now was a bonus and so became a volunteer with WIRES, rescuing and caring for injured and orphaned native animals.
Two things you may not know about …
She is a dab hand at DIY and has confessed that if her house was burning down the first thing she would rescue would be her trusty AEG compound mitre saw. “Best tool ever,” she said.
Her hand-eye coordination is clearly top drawer as she also makes sugar art for wedding cakes.
2. Susan Moylan-Coombs, Independent
Born Susan Calma, she was removed from her family as a little girl as part of the stolen generation and placed into Garden Point Mission, Melville Island, Northern Territory.
Aged three she was adopted by Jan and John Coombs QC and grew up in Freshwater.
She was school captain and later became Australia’s first indigenous surf life saver at South Curl Curl Beach.
For much of her working life she been in broadcasting including as executive producer of the Indigenous Programs Unit at ABC and head of production at NITV.
In 2008, she was executive producer for the live broadcast from Parliament House in Canberra of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, by Kevin Rudd.
Two things you may not know about …
Susan has played a part in the childhood of millions of Australians. As during her time at the ABC she did a stint as producer on flagship children’s show Play School.
She is also a lover of the arts and loves to paint — and sing (really loudly). Particularly on long road trips. “And in my opinion, I nail it,” she added.
3. Dean Harris, Labor
Born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia in 1968 Mr Harris arrived in Sydney in 1995 following stints studying and working in Perth and Canberra.
He has a background in market research and now runs his own business.
He lives in Mosman and has two children.
He said he was inspired to get into politics after seeing how much tougher his children have it now than he did when he was young.
Two things you may not know about …
Mr Harris describes himself as a “cricket tragic” who still likes to swing the willow for Warringah Cricket Club at the age of 50.
“While I wish my batting average was closer to my age, I still love the game and the camaraderie of playing with terrific teammates and representing our club and community in the Sydney Masters (over 40s) and Sydney Classics (over 50s) competitions,” he said.
To unwind from campaigning, he likes to pick up one of his guitars and learn a few songs.
He has an eclectic taste to say the least with Paul Kelly, Australian Crawl, Nick Cave, Cold Chisel and the Hoodoo Gurus mixed in with Middle Kids, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
“What I lack in musical ability, I try to make up for with passion.” he said.
4. Emanuele Paletto, Sustainable Australia
Emanuele works in the not-for-profit sector and has a commercial background in financial services. He has created enterprises in sustainable technologies and investment, in financial services recruitment and most recently in property maintenance.
He has lived on the northern beaches most of his life but has also called China, Indonesia, Japan and Taiwan home.
Two things you may not know about …
He is well read with an MBA as well as an economics degree.
He has a lively German Shepherd puppy who keeps him busy when not campaigning.
5. Suellen Wrightson, United Australia Party
Suellen grew up in south western Sydney and has recently been based out in Cessnock where she served on the city council from 2012 to 2015.
She campaigned as a Federal Senate candidate for the Palmer United Party in 2013 and was a member of the Joint Regional Planning Panel for the Hunter Region.
Most recently she has worked it the medical field as a chronic disease management co-ordinator working closely with diabetic and asthmatic patients in addition to performing medical practice accreditation. She has a diploma of work health safety.
Two things you may not know about …
She is a huge Game of Thrones fan and is devastated the show is in its final season.
“My prediction is Jon and Daenerys will share the iron throne and have a baby Targaryen,” she said. “My favourite character is Tyrian Lanaster.”
She added: “I love spending every minute I can with family. As you get older you realise how important that is.”
6. Tony Abbott, Liberal
What is there left to say about Tony Abbott that hasn’t already been said.
The 61-year-old former Prime Minister is one of Australia’s best known politicians.
He’s been MP of Warringah since 1994 and has held numerous ministerial posts.
In recent years he has been a polarising figure, largely due to his views on same sex marriage and climate change.
He is also a prominent volunteer and charity fundraiser. He remains an active member of the Davidson NSW Rural Fire Service and is also a member of Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club.
Two things you may not know about …
If you follow Mr Abbott on Twitter you will know he has a fine singing voice. A recent video with Mackellar MP Jason Falinski, in which he belts out Along The Road to Gundagai, is testament to that. But the Slim Dusty hit is not Mr Abbott’s favoured karaoke track. Instead he opts for Suspicious Minds by Elvis. Perhaps not a surprising choice given the cutthroat, back-stabbing nature of Canberra politics.
At Thursday’s debate Mr Abbott told the audience he drives a 20-year-old car when asked about his carbon footprint.
However, this was not his first car. His first was a third-hand Austin 1800.
7. Brian Clare, Fraser Anning’s Conservative National Party
Brian joined the Army Cadets at school and then at the age of 18 volunteered for the Reserve Army Service.
He later joined the Military Intelligence Unit at Middle Head in the early 1960s.
He went on to work as a commercial accountant and did a spell as a grape buyer in the Barossa Valley before retiring.
Two things you may not know about …
His political life could have been a whole lot different had things gone his way more than half a century ago.
As a young man he stood for preselection for the Liberals as the federal candidate for Warringah.
However, he narrowly lost out to Michael MacKellar who would go on to serve as MP from 1969 until 1994.
He is secretary/treasurer of the Australian Intelligence Corps Association NSW Branch.
8. Zali Steggall, Independent
Born in Manly in 1974, Ms Steggall lived in France for much of her childhood where she fell in love with skiing.
It soon became clear she was talented and she started picking up trophies from age 10.
She went on to become one of this country’s most prominent Winter Olympians and won bronze at the Nagano Games in 1998. The following year she won gold at the World Championships.
She retired from the sport in 2002 and went to law school and has worked as a barrister since.
She entered the world of politics in January and is now considered Mr Abbott’s closest rival.
Two things you may not know about …
You’d think as a barrister and now running for federal parliament Ms Steggall would use any downtime to relax. Instead she heads off into the hills and competes in gruelling 100km trail runs.
She was also a founding member of the Manly Sea Eagles Angels, an all-female supporters’ group. Other prominent members of days gone by including presenter Wendy Harmer, surfer Layne Beachley and journalist Tracey Spicer.
9. Jason Blaiklock, Christian Democratic Party — Fred Nile
Mr Blaiklock did not respond to request for comment.
10. Kristyn Glanville, The Greens
Ms Glanville lives in Freshwater and works as an environmental and planning lawyer.
Her role involves her advising businesses and government on issues like renewable energy, sustainable cities and major infrastructure projects.
Before working as a lawyer, she worked on the northern beaches as a respite carer for children with disabilities.
Two things you may not know about …
Ms Glanville is a dog lover and you’re most likely to see her walking around the northern beaches with her two staffies (Staffordshire bull terriers).
She attended St Luke’s on a scholarship and is an active member of Mensa. She also knows kung fu. “Although fortunately I have always been able to solve my problems through negotiation,” she added.
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