NSW State politics: Kellie Sloane named as Liberal candidate for Vaucluse seat vacated by Gabrielle Upton

A Liberal candidate has been named to contest the high-profile seat of Vaucluse as the Liberal stronghold faces fresh challenges from a teal independent.

Kellie Sloane. Picture by Damian Shaw

Former TV journalist and executive Kellie Sloane has been named as the state election candidate to retain the Liberal stronghold of Vaucluse.

Ms Sloane said it was an honour to contest the seat held by long standing Liberal MP Gabrielle Upton.

“I’m honoured to have been selected by party members as the liberal candidate for the state seat of Vaucluse,” she told the Wentworth Courier.

Woollahra councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis, Ms Sloane and businesswoman Roanne Knox stood for preselection by the party’s nomination review committee, with Ms Sloane confirmed on Thursday night.

Kellie Sloane has won preselection for the seat of Vaucluse. Photo by Pip Blackwood

Ms Sloane told the Wentworth Courier she was excited to continue the seat’s representation of women.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to represent our party across this wonderful and unique electorate, and to be following in the footsteps of our impressive local member Gabrielle Upton who is retiring from politics,” Ms Sloane said.

“I will use this opportunity to advocate for a brighter future for our community and the support and services that we need.”

Ms Sloane began her career in journalism as a presenter for Channel 7, before serving as a chief executive at health advocacy organisation for schoolchildren Life Education Australia.

Ms Sloane has worked as a journalist and in executive leadership. Picture by Damian Shaw

The Liberal candidate spent the last few months assessing the federal loss for former Wentworth MP Dave Sharma for the party’s internal election post-mortem before putting her name into contention for preselection.

Ms Sloane is no stranger to politics, having previously run in the seat of Willoughby after it was vacated by Gladys Berejiklian in October last year.

Ms Sloane has spent the last few months assessing the federal loss for former Wentworth MP Dave Sharma. Photo: Stellar Magazine

The emergence of a Liberal candidate also comes ahead of an expected reshuffle of NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s cabinet in 2023, following the loss of a slew of high-profile ministers in recent months.

Mr Perrottet has confirmed he is open to drafting candidates straight into the ministry after the election, noting the strong contenders running for preselection.

Ms Sloane also said she had a plan to challenge the rise of the teals in state politics, as those connected to the independent ‘teal’ community movement continue to prospect for potential candidates in the affluent seats where independents unseated moderate Liberals in the federal election.

Ms Sloane (left) ran against Woollahra Councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis and businesswoman Roanne Knox.

The Wentworth Courier revealed in October former political strategist Karen Freyer would run as an independent for the seat – later confirming she was in talks with the climate group for funding.

Ms Freyer told attendees at her campaign launch she would “persist” on overlooked issues which were important to the electorate, including overdevelopment, transport privatisation and climate issues.