Federal election 2016: North Sydney candidates

LIBERAL MP Trent Zimmerman is a red-hot favourite to retain the seat of North Sydney. But his opponents are still fighting hard.

Favourite: North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman. Picture: Adam Ward

Here are the federal election candidates for North Sydney:

TRENT ZIMMERMAN

Liberal Party

TRENT Zimmerman has lived in the area for more than a decade and has served on North Sydney Council.

He is currently involved in several community organisations in the area and said there were several major issues in North Sydney.

“Residents have told me they want a strong economy, with a stable government which supports jobs and growth and the important services we need,” he said.

“If re-elected, I will continue my work to protect and improve our way of life by ensuring the Turnbull Government does everything it can to create the jobs of the future by supporting innovation and science, backing small and medium business and increasing funding for our hospitals and schools.”

ALP candidate Peter Hayes. Picture: Adam Ward

PETER HAYES

Australian Labor Party

Peter Hayes lives in Chatswood and served with the Royal Australian Air Force.

He retired from service in 2000 and returned to university to study.

He is concerned about global warming.

He outlined what he ­believes are the major issues in North Sydney:

“Health care (including aged care), education, penalty rates, NDIS, mitigation of climate change consequences, CSG exploration and extraction, NBN, urban congestion and refugee settlement,” he said.

Mr Hayes added: “In consultation with my constituency and working with my parliamentary colleagues, I’ll do my best to deliver the best possible outcomes for all on all issues.”

Greens candidate Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans. Picture: Adam Ward

DR ARTHUR CHESTERFIELD-EVANS

Greens

Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans is keen to make a political comeback.

He served for the Democrats for nine years in the NSW upper house and was a key player in the radical anti-tobacco group BUGA UP. Environmental issues are at the front and centre of his campaign.

“North Sydney needs representation in our interest, not the big end of town. Our railways are being cannibalised for the new private metro, which will duplicate the existing route,” he said.

“The Greens will look after the environment, heed local concerns in transport, health and education and develop the rail spur to Lavender Bay as a tourist precinct.”

Independent candidate Dr Stephen Ruff. Picture: Troy Snook

DR STEPHEN RUFF

Independent

Dr Stephen Ruff is an orthopedic surgeon at Royal North Shore Hospital.

This is his third tilt at entering the political game. He believes the major issues for the electorate are the erosion of democratic principles and traffic.

“There is a failure of the two party political system with endemic influences on the pre and post selection decision making by lobby groups beholden to third parties such as big business or unions,” he said.

“My presence as an independent will oppose development linked to electoral function, prevent department of health administrative infrastructure from being built on the Royal North Shore Hospital campus.”

Science Party candidate James Coffey.

JAMES COFFEE

Science Party

James Coffey is an adviser to start-ups in Telstra’s muru-D space.

He also works with Skedulo, a start-up that provides logistics solutions.

He leads Salesforce’s App Exchange regional team and has previously led projects in manufacturing and ­communications.

Education and health form the major parts of his campaign.

“As North Sydney continues to see growth ... governments need to continue investment in healthcare and education in the electorate,” he said.

“To do this the Science Party will vote to fund the Gonski reforms and push Federal and State Governments to create certainty on healthcare funding.”

THE OTHERS

The other three candidates contesting the North Sydney seat are:

●Sharon Martin for the Christian Democratic Party. She replaces Silvana Nero-Nile, the wife of the party’s founder Fred Nile, who ran in the by-election. Instead, Ms Nero-Nile is the party’s lead senate candidate in Tasmania.

●Eddy Ku is the candidate for Family First.

●Daniel Leahy is standing for the Liberal Democrats.