North Shore by-election voters waiting for ‘another Ted Mack’ to challenge Liberal party
THE SEAT of North Shore has a strong history of voting in independent MPs but nobody has officially put their hand up yet to challenge the Liberal party.
Mosman
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THE NORTH Shore by-election is ripe territory for a strong independent.
Council mergers, B-Line bus disruption and the long-promised tunnel under Military Rd are all issues on the minds of voters.
The area also has a strong history of electing independents, with Ted Mack and Robyn Read holding the seat before Jillian Skinner.
Sources say an announcement by an independent candidate is imminent.
But nobody has officially put their hand up yet.
Save Our Councils Coalition spokesman Will Tuck said potential independents were waiting in the wings.
“People out there want to do it but they want to see who they are up against,” Mr Tuck said.
“The North Shore is very independently minded. This is the danger for Gladys (Berejiklian) and why they (the Liberals) are going to pour squillions into the campaign.”
SOCC plans to be at every booth on election day.
Milsons Point-based campaigner Ian Mutton said the community needed another Ted Mack.
Mr Mutton has lobbied on the creation of a New York High Line-style park on the tracks of an old rail line that runs around the harbour waterfront to Luna Park.
And he is involved in issues concerning Luna Park and the Sydney Metro construction.
“These issues are so concerning to the community that likely, if not resolved, independents will put their name forward,” Mr Mutton said.
“The community is looking for another Ted Mack.”
Greens candidate Justin Alick is the first political party opponent to put his name on the ticket.
He said the area was crying out for a representative who was responsive to the needs of community.
“I reckon North Shore, long thought of as a safe seat, is about to send a message to the government that it doesn’t like being taken advantage of,” Mr Alick said.
“The growing ‘put the Liberals last’ campaign amongst local conservative groups is evidence of that.”
Mr Alick said the by-election would be a referendum on council amalgamations, a political agenda his party opposed.
He is critical of the B-Line and tunnel projects.
“Let’s face it, the B-line is a non-solution to the crippling congestion on our roads and doesn’t warrant the disruption it’s going to cause for local businesses,” he said.
Meanwhile, five hopefuls are set to cut their political teeth in a battle to win the Liberal Party’s backing for the seat of North Shore.
Jessica Keen is gaining attention after winning the support of exiting MP Jillian Skinner. However, she is facing a challenge from Tim James, Anna McPhee, Felicity Wilson and Ted Wziontek.
Friends of the mother of four say she is an advocate for the community and very immersed in life on the north shore.
“She sees a problem and instantly thinks who can she gather to solve it,” a friend said.
The Oxford University graduate is part of several community organisations as a volunteer. She works as a marketing consultant at the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association.
Mr James, who has right faction support, has lived on the north shore all his life and comes to the preselection with a strong party background. He has worked on the staff of several Liberal politicians including former prime minister John Howard.
He also served as the chief executive of Medicines Australia.
Ms McPhee is the chief executive of the Retail Council and was the chief of staff for former premier Barry O’Farrell. She had to seek permission to nominate because she only recently rejoined the Liberal Party.
Ms Wilson, believed to have the support of the left faction, worked at the Property Council as deputy executive director.
And the final hopeful, Mr Wziontek, has lived in the area for three decades. He would bring his international business experience in mining, oil and the resources sector.
“He is very well known in the local community and highly regarded,” a friend said.
A source said that behind the scenes the factions were fighting to get their preferred choice on the ticket.
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