Zali Steggall and Katherine Deves agree on Beaches Link Tunnel

The high-stakes battle for Warringah is as bitter as they come. Yet there’s one issue Zali Steggall and Katherine Deves are united on.

There may not be much Katherine Deves and Zali Steggall see eye-to-eye on, but a key local issue which could determine the fate of the entire electorate is one of them.

Both the independent and controversial Liberal are united in their view that while environmental concerns should be taken seriously, the Beaches Link tunnel must go ahead.

Zali Steggall at Spit Bridge, Mosman. Photo: Julian Andrews.

“There’s no doubt we need to progress from what we call our drawbridge – The Spit bridge,” Steggall said.

“I do support a tunnel. But the current model is very large, very expensive and has environmental impacts. The state government has now indicated it is pausing it.

“I very much want to after the election, if successful, to re – engage with how we do progress the tunnel.

“We can’t wait another 20 years for this. Not when we have some of the most congested roads in NSW in Warringah.”

Deves took an almost identical platform.

“Our community needs to resolve the bottlenecks that stop people and businesses from being able to easily enter and exit this part of Sydney, and make sure that people can spend their time better than just sitting in a constant traffic jam,” Deves said.

“But the project needs appropriate safeguards, and I will work the community to make sure that the Link tunnel is delivered with community consultation.”

Zali Steggall is concerned about congestion. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Deves has recently re-emerged on the campaign trail after a period where she largely withdrew due to concerns about her safety regarding her comments about transgender youth.

She’s been spotted across the electorate including at Manly Wharf last week where she chatted to constituents.

“I am a person who sees things through and do not step away from a challenge. I am committed to the campaign to fight to serve the people of Warringah, and if elected I will fight even harder for them in Parliament,” Deves said.

“There are many important issues that the community has been talking to me about and I will continue to campaign for the things that are important to them, such as small business support and helping to bring more local employment opportunities to Warringah.”

Katherine Deves at a campaign rally. Picture By Jason Edwards

Deves said economic support for businesses as they emerge from the pandemic, protection of local natural resources and the area’s character and cost of living for families are the issues most frequently brought up by the people of Warringah.

The Liberal candidate also confirmed her stance on climate action – the key policy of her opponent.

“I support climate action. The Government has taken a number of important steps to deliver net zero emissions by 2050, with our 26 to 28 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 – and we’re on track to get to 35 per cent,” Deves said.

“Our emissions are down by 20 per cent on 2005 levels already, which compares to New Zealand at around 4 per cent, Canada at 1 per cent, and the OECD average at 7 per cent. And we have been able to do so while still driving down energy prices, and ensuring that our businesses and vulnerable members of our community are not put at a disadvantage.”

Steggall has received tens of thousands of emails from constituents in the three years since her election.

The independent said the number one issued raised was “overwhelmingly climate action”.

“There is a really strong sense of responsibility in terms of looking at waste management in our local area especially our ocean and beaches,” Steggall said.

“Nationally, with regards to climate action and our policy there’s a really strong sense of leadership from the people of Warringah about what contribution they want to make to the national discussion.

“The next issue has been integrity and that translates to a local as well as a national conversation about fiscal discipline and accountability.”

Steggall believes Prime Minister Scott Morrison has deliberately derailed these important conversations by throwing Deves and her controversial views into the mix.

“The person I’ve observed in parliament is that he (Scott Morrison) is not afraid to throw anyone under the bus for his personal ambitions,” Steggall said.

“He wants to stoke a culture war on the back of the religious discrimination bill defeat and I find it quite abhorrent.”

Deves has been unable to shake the controversy about her remarks on trans youth. Photo by Renee Nowytarger

Steggall said she had been contacted by numerous local LGBT+ families distressed about the current public discourse.

“What happens when you have this discussion is it gets translated on the ground to bullying, intimidation and harassment in schools and other contexts,” Steggall said.

“I have had very distressed parents contact me concerned their children are at increased risk of self harm or suicide. We’ve heard there has been a vast increase in calls to support services so yes, this is an incredibly damaging conversation and I think it’s incredible selfish and harmful. As for the Prime Minister – a person in his position should show much better moral character.

“I don’t want to speak for them but yes they (the LGBT+ community) feel very targeted and feel there is a wilful attack on them.

“I’ve had over 30,000 emails over the last three years and no one has raised this issue (transgender athletes) other than Katherine Deves.”

As an Olympic champion, Steggall said she had spent her time in parliament advocating for women’s sport.

“Only someone who hasn’t had a sporting career herself could make those (Deves’) kind of comments,” Steggall said.

“It’s about buying into Scott Morrison’s culture war to distract from the real issues.

“If we’re really fighting for women’s rights in sport, the priority is to make sure administrators and coaches are bound by the right codes of conduct. The biggest problem we’re having is the systemic sexual harassment of female athletes.

“Equal opportunity and equal pay is also incredibly important.”

For her part, Deves concedes her initial comments were misguided.

“I have been passionately campaigning to give women and girls a dedicated female sports category, and I apologise for the way I communicated my arguments for the safety of women and girls,” Deves said.

Deves was asked if she will advocate for the LGBT+ community of Warringah should she be elected.

“I advocate on behalf of the whole community,” Deves said.

Originally published as Zali Steggall and Katherine Deves agree on Beaches Link Tunnel