Federal Election 2022: Wentworth independent Allegra Spender and Liberal Dave Sharma polling day thoughts
Independent Allegra Spender says she has yet to hear from her Liberal rival Dave Sharma in the wake of her stunning election upset in Wentworth.
Wentworth Courier
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SUNDAY 4PM: Allegra Spender said she is willing to work with Labor to turn her election campaign pitches into policies during the next term of parliament.
The independent candidate – who is on track to claim the seat of Wentworth – said current results indicate a Labor majority, meaning she would unlikely be called upon to guarantee confidence and supply for Labor to form government.
Ms Spencer, however, believes Labor will be responsive to the progressive agenda she put to voters during the campaign.
“I think it’s clear the coalition can’t form a majority so what I will do is work to support a strong and stable government and negotiate the issues most important for this community,” she said.
“Labor is more ambitious on climate reduction by 2030 and other issues important to the community.
“My key focus now is putting the team together for the role, getting to Canbeera and being inducted there, and then meeting with the major parties and crossbench to establish those relationships.”
Ms Spencer described the swing towards her in the eastern suburbs electorate as a victory for a community unhappy and disaffected with the outgoing coalition government.
“I feel the electorate found the government wanting and were seeking to have true representation of their values in Canberra,” she said.
“This was an election about climate and that’s a real message for the incoming parliament – that people expect stronger action.”
Ms Spencer – who was supported by 1200 volunteers during the mammoth campaign – said more seats could be targeted by community or ‘teal’ independents in future elections.
“I think there could be – you’ll have to see what happens in the next three years but I think people are seeking a closer relationship between parliament and the people,” she said.
Asked whether she thinks the Liberal party has a chance at regaining Wentworth, Ms Spencer replied: “If I do a good job, hopefully not.”
SUNDAY 3PM: Eastern suburbs mayors have reacted to Allegra Spender’s election result in Wentworth.
Woollahra Liberal Mayor Susan Wynne attributed the outcome to voters seeking change from a nine-year-old government.
“There was definitely a sense among voters that they liked Dave Sharma, but said we just couldn’t vote for Scott Morrison. In many ways I think it was a protest vote,” she said.
“The question now is whether the (independent candidates elected) can effect change the way they say they could.”
Labor Waverley mayor Paula Masselos is hopeful the result places more focus on issues including affordable housing and climate change.
“In four years Wentwoth has had two independents – I think that it shows it’s a community that really cares about each other and issues like climate change and Spender coming in is a demonstration of that,” she said.
“It’s getting harder for people to buy into the area and we want to see what we can do to work with the Federal Government on maybe advocating for a population policy looking at not only overseas but also internal migration.
“We’re already a highly densely populated area, we’re grinding at the seams, our schools are full, our roads are at gridlock – we need to have a much more sensible population policy.”
Ms Wynne said she was unsure how the Liberal party could regain ground in a seat once considered safe territory.
“My gosh – I honestly don't know. I think it’s a bigger conversation for those higher up in the Liberal party,” she said.
“As a female, I would like to see more female representation. I think that’s one of the take-out messages – we need more strong women in the party and in parliament.”
SUNDAY 12PM: Independent Allegra Spender says she has yet to hear from her Liberal rival Dave Sharma since her stunning election upset in the Sydney seat of Wentworth.
Speaking at Bondi Beach on Sunday morning, the ‘teal’ independent says Mr Sharma has not called her to concede defeat.
“I don’t know if I missed the call but I haven’t heard from him,” she said.
Current results show Ms Spender leads the two party preferred result with 56.7 per cent of the vote to Mr Sharma’s 43.3 per cent.
Ms Spender said her focus was to bring new energy to Canberra.
“I think it’s going to be really interesting – I think it’s going to be a strong crossbench, a strong mandate on the community around the climate,” she said.
“I certainly hope it shows that you can’t ignore women anymore, and it’s saying in a positive way, that in a very constructive way, we want the parliament to represent our community in its fullest terms.
“It’ll be a great opportunity to work together and I take Albanese on his word that he wants to work constructively across the parliament.”
Mr Sharma’s Twitter account appears to be deleted as of Sunday morning. Mr Sharma’s media team were contacted for further comment.
SATURDAY: As teal placards, T-shirts and even dog bandannas lined the streets of Sydney’s east in recent days, the growing support for Allegra Spender was clear.
And now, it seems that high profile presence of the independent candidate for the marginal seat of Wentworth has paid off.
Speaking to the sea of teal after she was predicted to win the seat, Ms Spender said she was in awe of the number of people who engaged in politics for the first time in order to back her.
Fighting back tears, she said her supporters stood for taking responsibility, compassion and the future as opposed to blaming, division and the past.
“This is an act of defiance against the status quo and a defiance against the cynicism,” she said.
“We know what we stand for and we will stand up. We put our faith in the fact we can act on climate. We can put our faith in that we can act on integrity in politics and we can put our faith in that we can act on women in politics.
“That’s the bit the Coalition didn’t remember.”
Those words were met with a roar of cheers as her joyous supporters – many of them tearful – clapped and whistled to almost every line of Ms Spender’s speech.
“We are invested in the democracy of this country and we will continue to make that investment year on year on year,” she said.
“For a lot of people, this is the first time you’ve been engaged in politics and you have been so engaged. And that’s because this is not about the parties, this is about the community.”
An equally joyous and emotional Ms Spender did not abstain from humour, noting the many people who came into her campaign hesitant to even vote for her.
“Then they go, “oh look, I’ll wear a cap,” she said.
“And then, ‘we might get a bumper sticker on the car’. It’s a big step to don the teal T-shirt. Then people started going ‘you know, I’m into this’, then it was knocking on the neighbours’ [doors], accosting people in parks, the pictures and the banners and the houses, and today I saw an entire caravan for Allegra Spender.”
Sharma: ‘It’s been a tough day at the office’
The Sharma camp has raised the roof in support of the outgoing Liberal MP despite a stunning loss as he arrived at his election party in Rose Bay.
“It’s been a tough day at the office,” Mr Sharma opened, in a concession speech that honed in on the Liberal MP’s achievements during his past three years in office.
“It’s a real privilege to put yourself forward as a candidate,” Mr Sharma said.
His speech placed its focus on the hard work of his supporters in an electorate that became dangerous territory for some Coalition leaders to visit, weakening national Liberal support for the campaign.
“We together have achieved a lot in Wentworth these past four years. We’ve supported our local community and the nation,” he said.
Dave Sharma thanks his supporters and campaigners for their work in an emotional speech reflecting on this evening’s outcome. #auspol#AusVotes22#Elections2022pic.twitter.com/YmNqEsDpVI
— Bianca Healey (@biancahealey) May 21, 2022
“We have more small businesses now operating in Wentworth. We’ve got more women in jobs in Wentworth. We’ve got more support for mental health here in Wentworth. We’ve got more support for domestic violence assistance here in Wentworth. We’ve got more support for surf clubs.”
Mr Sharma reflected on the wider loss for the party, including several moderate candidates across the country.
Dave Sharma thanks his supporters and campaigners for their work in an emotional speech reflecting on this evening’s outcome. #auspol#AusVotes22#Elections2022pic.twitter.com/YmNqEsDpVI
— Bianca Healey (@biancahealey) May 21, 2022
“It’s clear that several, indeed a large number of my colleagues are doing it tough right now,” he said.
“And if we cannot keep them tonight we have to make sure there is a space for their views in the party. We as a party will have many lessons to learn from this evening.”
Mr Sharma was able to crack at least one joke about the evening’s turn of events, noting another campaign – to save beloved late night eatery Indian Home Diner, looked like a winner.
“We’re on track to save Indian Home Diner!”
Spender’s sister: ‘Turning point for Australia’
Cheers erupted from the sea of teal and white at Allegra Spender’s election party as support surged for the independent candidate of one of Australia’s most high profile races.
As of 9:20pm, Ms Spender was leading significantly in the Australian Electoral Commission’s early counting, polling at a lead of 59 per cent against Labor MP Dave Sharma’s 40 per cent.
Earlier in the night, groups of supporters sat nervously awaiting Ms Spender’s arrival at the Bondi Bowling Club. The mood lifted with each update of the early polling and culminated in a huge round of applause as she entered the building.
Her sister Bianca Spender expressed cautious optimism at the way the votes were heading.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the incredible energy, positivity and the way the teal community has created this huge wave.
“I am endlessly and always proud of my sister … this marks a turning point for Australia and its political history.”
All smiles for @spenderallegra and her supporters in reaction to an early counting lead for #wentworth#Ausvotes#AusPol#Elections2022pic.twitter.com/HAwRrgS4rU
— Clare Sibthorpe (@ClareSibthorpe) May 21, 2022
Friends Andy Conway, Jo Sharp and Camille Nuttall said they were quietly confident that Spender would win.
Ms Sharp said people were sick of the major parties always voting down their own party lines and afraid to stand up for issues that count, while Allegra was passionately advocating for more action on climate and integrity.
All smiles for @spenderallegra and her supporters in reaction to an early counting lead for #wentworth#Ausvotes#AusPol#Elections2022pic.twitter.com/HAwRrgS4rU
— Clare Sibthorpe (@ClareSibthorpe) May 21, 2022
That was a frustration Ms Sharp said she had heard echoed largely among younger people as well as previous Liberal voters in Wentworth.
“It’s time for a change, and we think it’s coming,” she said.
Cheers erupt at @spenderallegra’s election party as early counting shows her ahead of Liberal MP @DaveSharma#Ausvotes#AusPol#Elections2022pic.twitter.com/xtjGeJEHBo
— Clare Sibthorpe (@ClareSibthorpe) May 21, 2022
At Club Rose Bay, next to the harbour, supporters are slowly filing into Mr Sharma’s election party. There is an open bar, which means those who have arrived are creating plenty of noise.
Attendees comprise a mix of well-heeled locals and established party members, along with a swath of mostly-young campaigners wearing royal blue and white shirts.
The mood is energetic but it’s by no means a full house at the Sharma election party. Loud “boos!†anytime the words ‘teal independent’ is mentioned on the live broadcast #AusVotes22#AusPol2022pic.twitter.com/pmS1KYRwUJ
— Bianca Healey (@biancahealey) May 21, 2022
Leon Goltsman, a campaigner and Liberal councillor for Waverley Council, told the Wentworth Courier attendees were feeling “energised.”
He said long-time residents have seen what Mr Sharma has contributed to the community.
“I’ve actually known Dave since before he got into politics,” Mr Goltsman said. “He’s genuine.”
“To me Dave isn’t a politician, he’s a friend to the community.”
Mr Sharma is expected to arrive anytime from 8:30pm.
Candidates share 11th hour thoughts as election day voting begins
It is one of Australia’s most talked about races of the federal election: the seat of Wentworth in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
And for good reason. High profile independent candidate Allegra Spender is challenging incumbent Liberal MP Dave Sharma, who holds the seat by a 1.3 per cent margin.
After voting at Double Bay Public School this morning, Ms Spender exited the booth to the cheer of her supporters and shared her eleventh-hour thoughts on the election.
“I think it’s gonna be tight,” she said.
“But I think people are really seeking change and they’re seeking change in terms of how we are represented, both in Wentworth but actually around the country. People are disaffected with the major parties and I think that really, really shows.”
Ms Spender said she had been clear on what she stood for: climate, integrity and a “future-focused” economy.
Asked who the “teal independent” would support in the event of a hung parliament, Ms Spender said she would consider the numbers on the day.
“So if it’s 75/65 or more even, I will consider issues on climate and integrity, but I will reserve my right to vote issue by issue because I think Australia’s best governed by the middle,” she said.
“If you have centrist independents who are making a difference and bringing a balance there, that’s better for our government. I have said I will negotiate on climate and integrity.
“I’ve been really clear on those and it will come down to those in the event of a hung parliament.”
Asked if she would work with Prime Minister Scott Morrison if it came to that, Ms Spender said she would “negotiate with anyone from the party”.
“It’s not up to me to determine who is the head of the party, but I will be negotiating on those values and making sure those values get represented in Wentworth,” she said.
The tension was palpable as mere metres away, selfies with supporters were being snapped by Mr Sharma, Ms Spender’s biggest competition.
In the chilly opening hours of polling, residents and what appeared to be every dog in Paddington flocked to vote at Paddington Public School, where Mr Sharma was beginning his final push for votes.
“I think I’ve run a good campaign,” Mr Sharma told the Wentworth Courier after casting his vote and digging in to a “democracy bacon and egg roll” (the sausage sanger will come later in the day, he said).
“I won this seat from an independent,†Dave Sharma says of teal independent Allegra Spender, who is racing to unseat him tonight in the wealthy electorate of Wentworth #auspol2022#Ausvotes2022pic.twitter.com/geJNkHxLJQ
— Bianca Healey (@biancahealey) May 21, 2022
“I’ve run a decent and honest campaign and voters know who I am and what I stand for – and what I believe,” Mr Sharma said.
Mr Sharma said an independent in Wentworth was almost “becoming the norm” and reiterated he had won the seat from independent MP Kerryn Phelps in 2018.
He said he wasn’t surprised about what had shaped up to be a hotly contested race between himself and Ms Spender.
With a line snaking around the school gates, many people voting on election day remained either undecided or unconvinced by the candidates heading into the voting booth.
Incumbent Liberal MP @DaveSharma chats to voters in the hotly contested seat of Wentworth after casting his own vote at Paddington Public School this morning. #AusVotes2022#AusPol2022pic.twitter.com/niIYN3GRnE
— Bianca Healey (@biancahealey) May 21, 2022
“I heard a lot of ideas, but me and my friends were really confused about what a lot of what they [Wentworth candidates] were running on would look like”, one voter said, while enjoying her sausage sandwich.
“Climate, climate, climate,” Sarah said, of what was top of mind as she cast her vote.
“And women.”
Her friend Ruby said she found this campaign “so much more intense” than previous Wentworth races, thanks to the slim 1.3 per cent margin by which Mr Sharma now holds the seat.
A strong turnout at Paddington public school where frontrunners, incumbent Liberal MP Dave Sharma and Allegra Spender, have both shown up to canvas this morning. #AusVotes22pic.twitter.com/2jubz5IXoY
— Bianca Healey (@biancahealey) May 21, 2022
Another voter, Jesse, felt a win by either of the frontrunners would put Wentworth in a strong position.
“If Dave wins I think he’s gonna be able to get some value for this seat,” he said. But if Allegra wins that’s [also] going to be pretty good.”
Also vying for the seat of Wentworth’s are candidates (by ballot order): Labor’s Tim Murray, One Nation’s Dean Fisher, Dominic WY Kanak of The Greens, United Australia Party’s Natalie Dumer, Daniel Lewkovitz – of the Liberal Democrats.
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