NSW state election: Vaucluse Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane launches campaign at Rose Bay

The Liberal candidate fighting to continue the party’s uninterrupted hold on the affluent electorate of Vaucluse has warned of a “shameful” increase in housing targets proposed by Labor.

Kellie Sloane’s campaign launch at Easts Rugby, Rose Bay. Photo Kahu Millin.

Liberal candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane has rejected claims the seat had been overlooked by the NSW Government, stating Premier Dominic Perrottet had laid out a progressive vision for the state.

The former TV journalist and Life Education CEO officially launched her campaign amid a sea of Liberal Party royal blue T-shirts at Easts Rugby Club at Rose Bay on Sunday.

Ms Sloane, who is running for the seat left vacant by outgoing MP Gabrielle Upton, warned an enthusiastic crowd the party’s “strong record” must not be interrupted by a “teal” threat.

The Liberal stronghold is facing an independent challenger in former political strategist Karen Freyer, along with Labor candidate Margaret Merton and Greens representative Dominic WY Kanak.

“Our opponents have been saying incorrectly that we have taken Vaucluse for granted,” she said. “We never have and we need to prosecute that case very, very strongly.”

Kellie Sloane speaks at her campaign launch at Easts Rugby club, Rose Bay. Photo: Kahu Millin.

Ms Sloane said while the Liberal’s federal loss had been driven by a shift away from both major parties she said the party had delivered on issues, including the environment and active infrastructure, that were important to the electorate.

The Liberal candidate reminded the audience Labor opposition leader Chris Minns was on record saying he would look to the areas of Waverley, Woollahra and Crows Nest to take on more development.

(Left to right): Labor candidate Margaret Merton, Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane, independent candidate Karen Freyer, Waverley Councillor and Greens Candidate Dominic WY Kanak.

Liberal party members at the campaign launch. Photo: Kahu Millin.

“ (Mr Minns) believes that these areas need to carry additional development,” Ms Sloane said. “That is shameful. It is politically convenient, and it ignores the fact that we’ve been doing the heavy lifting for decades here and that two thirds of this electorate are flats and apartments.”

Woollahra Liberal mayor Susan Wynne warned voters an independent win in Vaucluse would be a win for the Labor Party.

“A vote for anyone else but Liberals is a vote for Labor,” Ms Wynne said.

The mayor also added that in 2008 the Labor Party’s housing targets were “more than double” that currently put forward by the Perrottet government.

“A vote for anyone else is a vote for overdevelopment in Woollahra and Waverley,” Ms Wynne said.

Ms Upton, who is vacating her seat after 12 years, said 140 extra ferry services and a new ferry wharf had been delivered to the area under her watch, as well as $80m in funding to address waste water run-off.

Ms Upton said it was dangerous to believe the seat had little bearing on the election’s outcome.

“This seat counts – more than ever, to make sure that we have a Liberal Coalition in government,” she said.