Willoughby by-election: Tim James talks preselection race, Gladys and the task ahead

The Liberal contender running for the Willoughby by-election has opened up about the tight preselection race, replacing Gladys Berejiklian and the big tasks ahead.

Stepping into The Concourse in Chatswood, Tim James faces a room of 110 Liberal party members to pitch his case to become the new State MP for Willoughby.

The party faithful had convened on January 13 to settle a three way preselection contest that also attracted bids from former Willoughby Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney and journalist turned business executive Kellie Sloane.

Each candidate was given time to speak of their vision for the electorate before Mr James prevailed in the final show of hands with 58 votes against Ms Giles-Gidney’s 52.

Tim James with his wife Nikki and their two daughters, Chloe and Madeleine. Photo: Michael Lynch

The result had surprised many pundits who had tipped party moderate Ms Giles-Gidney as the frontrunner.

Mr James – a born and bred local who has long held political ambitions – said the outcome was a humbling experience.

“I was a bit emotional in the moment because a lot of hard work goes into these things but ultimately I’m so grateful and also eager to get into the work ahead,” Mr James said.

“It was a quality field and I also want to recognise Gail and Kellie who were really high quality candidates and have both done terrific work in the community.

Tim James, Kellie Sloane and Gail Giles-Gidney were in the running for preselection.

“It’s a humbling experience to be selected by the party members – it’s a great privilege and honour but you also feel the weight of responsibility.”

The pitch Mr James made to his party peers will be the same he takes to 54,000-plus electors in Willoughby who will head to the polls on February 12.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former premier Gladys Berejiklian during the midst of ICAC proceedings in December.

For 18 years, Ms Berejiklian had safely held the seat which takes in suburbs spanning from Chatswood West to Castlecrag and Crows Nest to North Willoughby.

A photo of tributes left at former Premier Gladys Berejiklian's Electoral office in Northbridge after her resignation.

“Gladys was an outstanding local member and in a lot of ways my focus is to continue her great work by protecting and enhancing the many things that make Willoughby such a great place,” Mr James said.

“I’m aware I have big shoes to fill – I’ve known Gladys for a long time, she was about five years ahead of me in the Young Liberals and for almost two decades she did a remarkable job.

“I think everyone was surprised (by her resignation). I’m sensitive to that and conscious of it, but ultimately we need to look ahead because there’s a community that needs a local member.

“Over time as I work across the community, listen and consult, I hope I can carve out my own way.”

Gladys Berejiklian talks to media after her resignation.

Mr James – who works as an executive director for the Menzies Research Centre – said he would be a strong advocate for Willoughby, making infrastructure and support for businesses impacted by the Covid pandemic among his top priorities.

“There are issues that are very present – support for small businesses in recovery, how we meet the present challenges and giving businesses as much support, flexibility and understanding as we can,” he said.

“There are 19 schools in the area and over the last couple of decades under Gladys’s leadership they’ve had some growth and improvement and I’ll be looking to continue that.

Tim James pictured at the Mosman Rowers Club.

“I’m also passionate about green space, parklands and open space – it’s so important in modern life and Covid has really highlighted that.”

If elected, Mr James will also inherit a list of contentious planning and infrastructure projects including the Western Harbour Tunnel, the Beaches Link and plans to build high-rise units and a ‘medi hotel’ within the Royal North Shore Hospital campus.

“I’ll be bringing fresh eyes to (to the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link) and will listen and consult on all the views and options put forward,” he said.

Tim James and his wife Nikki, pictured here in 2018.

“Land in a hospital precinct is land that I also think has to serve a public purpose and needs to be complementary to the hospital’s needs and workers.”

Mr James – a fifth generation north shore local – has a long affiliation with the region including growing up on Penshurst St, attending Barker College, Roseville Primary and a preschool on a block of land where Chatswood Chase now stands.

He was born at Royal North Shore Hospital where his mother worked as a nurse and great-great-grandfather served on the founding committee.

Mr James is married to Nikki and together they have two daughters, Chloe and Madeleine. He said some of the family’s favourite local haunts include visits to The Incinerator for milkshakes with the kids and Artarmon Reserve.

The Incinerator Cafe in Willoughby is a popular spot for the James family.

“There are so many things that make Willoughby the great community it is – the beautiful natural environment, parks, foreshores, and national parks,” he said.

“It has great character and heritage – I love the many streets that tell the history of post-war – and most of all it’s about people and community and how they come together.

“Chatswood is where I got my first job, we shop there and eat there, and has always been a big part of my life. It’s a busy, colourful interesting place and long may that live.”

Mr James’s past work in the community has included serving as a statutory director of the Harbour Trust, a member of the Artarmon Progress Association, a volunteer director at Life Education and has also worked in the electorate offices of Joe Hockey and John Howard.

Tim James is currently the executive general manager at the Menzies Research Centre.

He had a previous tilt at state parliament in 2018 when he ran for preselection in the North Shore electorate before losing the contest and unsuccessfully challenging the victor Felicity Wilson in court.

Asked whether there could be any awkward run-ins in Macquarie St, Mr James said he would look forward to working together with Ms Wilson, whose electorate borders Willoughby to the south.

“It was over three years ago and was dealt with at the time. These things are not uncommon in the political process,” he added.

Tim James with his wife Nikki and their two daughters, Chloe and Madeleine. Photo: Michael Lynch

Mr James heads into the by-election as a firm favourite with only one other name emerging in the race to date – Sustainable Australia founder William Bourke, who was elected as a North Sydney councillor last month.

NSW Labor last week confirmed to the North Shore Times it would not be fielding a candidate.

The by-election is also shaping up to be a particularly busy time in the James household with Mr James and Nikki expecting the birth of their third child and first son soon after election day.

“It is going to be a busy time – I’m describing it as a time of renewal in more ways than one,” Mr James said.

“We’ll make it work and we’re fortunate we have support from wonderful family and friends.”

With election day less three weeks away, Mr James said he would be aiming to hit the ground running during the short but sweet campaign.

“I’m realistic about how much I can do in those three weeks but I’ll be meeting and listening to as many local people as I can.” he said.

“I’ll be outlining who I am, what I’ll be running for and my passion for the community. I’ll be out and about every day working extremely hard and I encourage people to reach out and get in touch.”