Meet all the election candidates challenging Trent Zimmerman MP in North Sydney

Cost of living, climate change and health care are among the key issues set to dominate the 2022 election campaign in North Sydney.

Greens candidate Heather Armstrong wants more affordable housing in the North Sydney area. Picture: Supplied

With the election date now set, we take a look at candidates in North Sydney to find out who they are and what their priorities are for the region.

HEATHER ARMSTRONG, THE GREENS

I’m a retired solicitor and was a federal prosecutor with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for 26 years. I am a member of the Bushland Management Advisory Committee.

I’m running because

I want to prevent increasing environmental damage and unfair use of public money and resources; stop the massive level of government support for fossil fuel industries; support regional economies during the transition to clean energy generation, clean transport, and clean industrial processes; protect and renew sensitive natural environments including the Great Barrier Reef; universal childcare; funding for community health; affordable housing in North Sydney and across Australia, including in Indigenous communities; enhance public transport and create bicycle paths across North Sydney.

Victor Kline is concerned about the future of education. Picture: Supplied

VICTOR KLINE, THE NEW LIBERALS (TNL)

I am the leader of TNL and a barrister specialising in refugee law. As founder and director of the Refugee Law Project (refugeelawproject .com), 90 per cent of the court work I do is pro bono. I am also the author of several books, including the best-selling memoir The House at Anzac Parade.

I’m running because
I cannot contemplate my grandchildren growing up in a country where they will never be able to buy a house and will have to scratch a living in the gig economy; where our once proud education system is slipping away; where tens of thousands of children live on the streets; where refugees are imprisoned for life; and where the very planet they live on is at risk.

My main priorities are to fix all these things; and also to return compassion, justice and integrity to the centre of Australian political life.

Prof Catherine Renshaw is the Labor candidate for North Sydney. Picture: Supplied

CATHERINE RENSHAW, LABOR

I live in Northbridge with my husband and three children.

I am a Professor of Law at Western Sydney University, a human rights advocate and a lawyer.

I’m running because

I am passionate about climate action, integrity in government and rebuilding a strong public health system to protect older Australians, people with disabilities and the mental health of our young people.

I am also committed to working on the many other issues that people in my neighbourhood have told me they care about: housing affordability; genuine gender equity; a childcare system that helps working families; and reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

I have never stood for office before. But the twin crises of the pandemic and climate change convinced me that staying on the sidelines was not an option.

Independent Kylea Tink is challenging for the seat of North Sydney. Picture: John Appleyard

KYLEA TINK, INDEPENDENT

I’m a business leader, social advocate and mum of three. North Sydney is my home – I’ve raised my family here.

I’m running because

The two-party system is broken and no longer representing the people’s voice.

North Sydney is a vibrant and diverse community, yet our concerns and ambitions are brushed off in federal parliament.

As North Sydney’s independent, I won’t ever be silenced by a party and will always speak for my community and our country.

My top priority is to have North Sydney’s voice, and our vote, count towards the things we believe are important including real climate action; tackling corruption in politics; revitalising our economy; and equality for women, First Nations people, and refugees. North Sydney’s voice can make a real difference for our entire country and it is time to take that back.

Trent Zimmerman MP has represented North Sydney for several years. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

TRENT ZIMMERMAN, LIBERAL

I am the federal Member for North Sydney. I bring experience and genuine local community involvement for almost two decades. I’ve lived on the lower north shore for over 20 years and currently live in McMahons Point with my partner.

I’m seeking re-election to Ensure the government focuses on delivering a strong economy to provide opportunities to all Australians and fund essential services like health, education and aged care. Australia needs effective and stable government to overcome the many challenges we face.

Locally, our strong economy means we can provide more support to our community. It allowed me to successfully fight for projects like better sporting facilities, more federal funding for our local hospitals, the protection of our harbour foreshores and environment and support for local community groups.

ROBERT NALBANDIAN, UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY

I am a Christian man, with an IT background, born and raised in Sydney my whole life. The reason I am running is because I have seen a deterioration of Australian values, the economy, and especially over the last two and a half years, a destruction of our democracy, privacy with freedoms being trampled on by the governments.

I’m running because

​My top priorities involves paying back the one trillion dollar debt that we have little to show for. We need to establish a bill of rights, which includes an end to vaccine mandates, no digital identity bills, no forced and coerced vaccinations to keep jobs or positions, or anything else that would impede Australian citizens travelling freely around Australia. These abuses we all witnessed over the last two and a half years should never ever again happen in Australia. Parliament and government (and government departments) also requires a restoration of Godliness and Biblical guidance once again.

SAMUEL GUNNING, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Samuel Gunning is running for the Liberal Democrats but did not respond to our questions before deadline.

Samuel Gunning is the Liberal Democrat’s pick for North Sydney.