NSW election: Premier Dominic Perrottet lays down Coogee gauntlet to flip the seat blue

Premier Dominic Perrottet joined the Liberals’ Coogee candidate on the campaign trail — as the battle to turn the seat blue heated up with a gauntlet laid down in the tight Sydney marginal.

Premier Dominic Perrottet (left) with Liberal Coogee candidate Kyle von Muenster in Clovelly. Picture: Toby Zerna

Premier Dominic Perrottet joined the Liberals’ Coogee candidate Kylie von Muenster on the campaign trail, as the battle to turn the seat blue heated up as he pledged to “win the electorate back for the Liberal party”.

Premier Dominic Perrottet joined Kylie von Muenster in Clovelly to both support his candidate in Labor’s Marjorie O’Neil-held seat on a razor-thin 2.1 per cent.

The battleground seat was represented by the Liberals’ Bruce Notley-Smith until Ms O’Neil flipped the seat and it is seen as a must-win for both parties.

“It’s very pleasing to see someone of Kylie’s calibre put her hand up to represent the area and win it back for the Liberal party,” Mr Perrottet said over coffee at Clovelly’s Gordons Cafe.

The seat, which takes in part of federal MP Allegra Spender’s Wentworth, has a hue of teal: a wealthy inner city area with the environment and social justice particularly high on the agendas of residents.

Premier Dominic Perrottet (left) with Liberal Coogee candidate Kyle von Muenster in Clovelly. Picture: Toby Zerna

Dr von Muenster, a local lifeguard and speech pathologist by trade, is well aware of this.

“One of the issues that comes up on the doorstep a lot is the environment, everyone here cares about that very strongly,” she said. “When we have those discussions with people, we’re hearing those concerns about the environment and we’re acting on that.”

The Premier said the “environment is very much part of the NSW Liberals brand”.

“When it comes to emission reductions, we lead the country and we’re very proud of our track record.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet (left) with Liberal Coogee candidate Kyle von Muenster and News Corp journalist Alexi Demetriadi. Picture: Toby Zerna

The Premier and candidate recently announced almost $20 million in funding to upgrade Clovelly Public School as part of an election pledge.

“People around the area have said it’s tired, it needs an upgrade,” Dr von Muenster said.

“So we’re committing $19.5 million to upgrade the classrooms and for staffing.”

Their pitch, or part of it, to Coogee voters was that Labor didn’t understand the area.

“Labor has said the eastern suburbs haven’t had their fair share of development,” Mr Perrottet said.

Coogee Beach. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Well, no – you need to make sure you have the right development for the area, which is keeping with the culture, character and charm of the local community.

“But for Labor to say the area hasn’t had its fair share of development is completely wrong.”

Dr von Muenster said, on a local level, it was about easing congestion and cementing its strong quality of life.

“If there are more high-rises, the quality of life is going to be impacted,” Dr von Muenster said.

“I love getting out and talking with people, hearing what they’re concerned about and trying to help solve it.”