State election: Liberal MPs with kids on the campaign trail

These are the babies certain to get the most campaign kisses during the state election. Their parents are Liberal politicians working to avoid a change of government while also changing nappies.

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These are the babies certain to get the most campaign kisses during the state election.

Their parents are Liberal politicians working to avoid a change of government while also changing nappies.

Four MPs are being joined on the hustings by their children, ranging in age from two months to two years.

First-time dad, Manly MP James Griffin, said he has “so much respect for parents” since his son Ted was born in December.

“It’s given a lot more clarity around the effort and the time-management issues that go into raising a kid,” Mr Griffin, 34, said.

Liberal MPs with their children. From left: Felicity Wilson with two-month-old daughter Eleanor; James Griffin with three-month-old son Ted; Melanie Gibbons with daughters Audrey, 2, and Elizabeth, 1; and Tanya Davies with son Harry, 2. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mental Health Minister and Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies said juggling the demands of an election with caring for her Laura, 11, and Harry, 2, was emotionally “very difficult”.

“It’s extremely demanding because you’re campaigning seven days a week,” Ms Davies, 47, said.

“The little ones still want their mum around so when you either don’t see them of a morning or sometimes at night, they miss you and you miss them.”

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Less than three months before the March 23 election, Felicity Wilson welcomed her first child, daughter Eleanor.

As she was adjusting to being a new mum, her preselection for the seat of North Shore was unsuccessfully challenged in court by Tim James.

“The thing about having a baby, for me, is the perspective it gives you in a life,” Ms Wilson said.

“I could either spend my time being stressed or anxious or worried or I could just spend my time feeling really grateful and joyous and blessed to have her.”

Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons said running around after her daughters Audrey, 2, and one-year-old Elizabeth while on the campaign trail in southwest Sydney was “challenging”.

“I was pegging up my washing at 11 o’clock last night but it has to be done,” she said.

“We have great friends and family that help me find the extra hours in the day and we make it work.”