Tim James flags concerns of Labor neglect in Lib held seats

A Liberal MP fighting to hold on to his seat has raised fears the new Labor government will neglect the north shore and scrap major projects in the region promised by the coalition.

Tim James is confident of retaining his seat of Willoughby.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian’s seat of Willoughby remains on a knife-edge as votes continue to be counted following the Liberal Party’s resounding election loss.

The north shore electorate is one of several seats that are too close to call with just over half the vote counted.

As of Monday morning, the Liberal Party’s Tim James has a slight edge on independent candidate Larissa Penn with a 50.7 per cent lead in the two party preferred vote.

Mr James said he was feeling confident of retaining the seat once postal ballots were added to the final tally.

He said the trajectory was “very similar” to the results to the 2022 Willoughby by-election triggered by the resignation of former member Gladys Berejiklian.

Outgoing premier Dominic Perrottet and Tim James pictured on the campaign trail.

Ballot counting in the by-election – also contested by Larissa Penn – dragged on for days before Mr James was able to call the seat on a 53.3 per cent two-party preferred lead.

“It’s very similar to how it was 12 months ago but this time we’re starting on a bigger lead on Saturday night than we had 12 months ago,” Mr James said.

“The postal vote last time trended our way about 60-40 and it looks from the counting so far it will be the same this time as well.

Larissa Penn, the independent candidate for Willoughby.

“I respect the will of the voters and the result will be what it will be.”

Mr James said Labor’s win on Saturday could have implications for a long list of major projects proposed in the north shore region by the outgoing coalition government.

This includes the Beaches Link motorway project which Labor has already committed to scrapping.

Outgoing premier Dominic Perrottet visited Chatswood during the campaign trail.

Labor’s election win also throws doubt over coalition promises for other projects on the north shore including funding for a new ambulance station in Cremorne, grant funding for new sporting facilities at Gore Hill Oval, and the construction of a “high line” above the Lavender Bay rail corridor.

“I want to give Labor a chance but there is a track record of Labor neglecting this part of Sydney,” Mr James said.

“The best predictor of future performance is past performance and the track performance of Labor in this area is not to invest in this community and to basically fail to meet the needs of this community.

“Doing nothing is never a viable option in a growing city with real needs and pressures – there has to be a vision and willingness to take on these challenges.”

The election was a resounding win for Labor, claiming majority government early on Saturday night.

The teal wave that wiped out several prominent Liberals in the federal election failed to materialise in other seats on the north shore with the Liberals retaining the electorates of Lane Cove, Wahroonga, Davidson and North Shore.