Tim James: new LNP Willoughby MP talks by-election, Beaches Link and public schools

Gladys Berejiklian’s Liberal Party replacement Tim James is battling to claw back political goodwill, but a perfectly timed ‘blessing’ has him on the right track.

New baby, new job – it’s fair to say Tim James is a man with his hands full.

Baby Xavier James, a little brother to Chloe, 7, and Madeleine, 4, arrived six days after the by-election when votes were still being tallied.

Now the new member for Willoughby, 46, is juggling setting up his new electorate office, in the hallowed space until recently occupied by former premier Gladys Berejiklian, with settling Xavier into the family.

“He is the third and final addition to the family – there will be no keeping up with the Perrottets,” James says.

The four by-election MPs were sworn into parliament on Tuesday and James says he is eager to start making good on the promises he made during the campaign.

James suffered a 17.7 per cent swing at the polls after independent Larissa Penn waged a vigorous campaign based on her opposition to the Beaches Link tunnel.

“There was a message from the people of Willoughby that yes, we are willing to support you but you’ve really got to work hard, you’ve got to deliver,” James says.

“We, the people of Willoughby, need to see you, our local member, being among us, listening to us and working for us.”

James, a former resident of Willoughby of more than three decades whose family links to the area go back five generations and 150 years, was criticised during the campaign as he does not currently live in the electorate.

While he is “focused on the new baby and the new job” James has confirmed plans to move back to his former stomping ground – his parents Bruce and Trish still live in Artarmon – remain on the table.

Tim James, his wife Nikki and daughters Chloe (6) and Madeleine (4); and his parents Bruce and Trish. Pics by Julian Andrews.

As a former member of the National Board of Life Education Australia, schools are one of James’ first priorities upon assuming office.

“One of the commitments I did make during the campaign was to advocate for two new public schools in the area,” James says.

“One of them needs to be in the Chatswood area. A potential site is the Metro dive site where Mowbray Rd and the Pacific Highway meet.

“Once the Metro project is complete, that site will be returned to government. It’s a pretty rare thing that the government should find itself having a pretty big chunk of land returned to it.

“That very site – by virtue of the size, growth in population and capacity issues around Chatswood Public School, Artarmon Public School and Mowbray Public School – there is no question there is demand for a school there, ideally catering to primary and secondary.”

While James doesn’t have a definitive site in mind for the second school, the search is being narrowed.

It’s been a busy few weeks for James.

“The other one should be in the Gore Hill area. Obviously there is lots of growth in and around St Leonards.

“There is no site yet earmarked, but there is the TAFE, the hospital, so maybe there is some room there? I don’t have a particular site in mind, but … schooling capacity and population growth would point to a second school there.”

James says the other big issues constituents raised with him were traffic congestion and whether the Beaches Link would go ahead in its current form.

He says, compared to other major traffic infrastructure planned for the region, Beaches Link is some way from being realised.

“That project is, in a sense, the furthest down the road because the government has made it quite clear the third harbour tunnel crossing, the Western Harbour Tunnel – and that work is under way – that work is being prioritised and likewise the (Warringah) freeway upgrade really does need to get done,” James says.

“I respect that there were other candidates in the by-election, for them that was their big signature position. Some of them would say, ‘well, just stop it altogether, just bin it altogether’.

“I am all ears on this project. I’m not rushing in to support it a hundred per cent, nor am I seeking to oppose it one hundred per cent.

Gladys Berejiklian has announced she will join Optus as an Executive, her first job since leaving politics. Picture: Toby Zerna

“The right thing for any member of parliament to do is to get across all of the issues, get the best of advice, understand the range of community views that do exist – those both for and against.

“But I heed the message. I know there are strong views and deep concerns about elements of that project so I naturally have commenced discussions with ministers. Indeed, during the campaign I had discussions with the premier and he has made some (public) comments.

“Clearly there is work to do there and I’m conscious I have 12 months to come back to the community with what I believe as its local state member is the right reasonable sensible position in relation to that project.”

On a more local level, inspired by the state government’s work to place the Holtermann St carpark in Crows Nest underground to return the ground level to green space, James is eyeing off the sprawling Northbridge Plaza carpark for a potentially similar initiative.

Then NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and then NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet in September last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“There’s a brilliant opportunity, obviously subject to a range of considerations and players, but that would be a really exciting project to get into,” James says.

While he’s got a long journey to come close to filling the shoes of his predecessor, James is committed to picking up the work where Berejiklian left off.

“She’s under way at Optus and very busy and we’re going to catch up soon. We’re both getting inducted into new roles, both pretty flat chat – but we’re in touch,” James says.

“Clearly her nearly two decades of hard work, diligence and care in the community – no one can recreate that in a few weeks of the campaign.

“It takes time and trust and patience. I believe in time I can fill those big shoes. That’s up to others, of course, to judge, but I plan to apply that same level of hard work, care and diligence that she did.

“Gladys has been a great supporter. I’m deeply grateful for all her counsel and guidance along the way and I am sure it will continue.”