Labor candidate Catherine Renshaw posing real threat to North Sydney Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman
Progressive Liberal Trent Zimmerman could face a historic loss in North Sydney – but it’s no longer a teal independent threatening his reign.
Federal Election
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Liberal MP for North Sydney Zimmerman could be in trouble with an unlikely challenger exploding in popularity as the blue ribbon seat races towards the polls.
Zimmerman previously held the seat with a 9.27 per cent margin but the latest YouGov poll shows it’s set to drop to a slim 3 per cent courtesy of Labor’s Catherine Renshaw.
The poll shows Zimmerman should hold the seat against Renshaw with the pair shaping up on a two-party-preferred basis of 53 to 47.
It predicts Zimmerman will receive 38 per cent of the first-preference vote, Renshaw 30 per cent and Tink 18 per cent.
The poll is a shock with many expecting Renshaw’s preferences to flow to Tink rather than the other way around.
North Sydney has never been held by Labor but it is understood both major parties now believe it’s a real possibility the respected law professor could be victorious.
“It was nice to see the facts that support the experience I have had on the streets, on the phones and at the voting booths. I have heard time and time again that people are tired of the Morrison government and are looking to deliver real change,” Renshaw said of the poll.
“The flow of preferences in this seat will obviously be critical and I’m confident I will see a strong flow of preferences to me, as I’m the only candidate who can guarantee a change of government.
“We have a real chance of making history in North Sydney and I know that the community is keen for a passionate committed local member who has a seat at the table.”
Renshaw urged voters in the formerly safe Liberal to consider her as a viable alternative.
“There are many voters who have told me that for the first time ever they feel like their vote counts in North Sydney,” Renshaw said.
“It’s refreshing to see such optimism that their vote will have an impact, and that North Sydney is no longer a seat that should be taken for granted by the LNP.
“The Labor Party is committed to North Sydney, our leader Anthony Albanese has visited twice, our deputy leader has visited numerous times and we have had key other front benchers in the electorate.
“This election has seen a level of engagement we haven’t had before with many voters realising they have a real choice and that I can actually win this seat.”
Team Renshaw will be watching the votes come in at a pub in Crows Nest.
Referencing the rumoured seven figure war chest of the independent, Zimmerman indicated he was in fact the underdog in the fight.
“This will be a tight race in North Sydney and it is a David and Goliath battle I am facing against the money and resources of other candidates,” Zimmerman said.
“I have never taken North Sydney for granted or the results at elections as each one has been a tough contest. I don’t focus on individual polls. Instead my focus is on my grassroots campaign of meeting and talking to as many voters as possible.”
Zimmerman and his crew will be spending election night in Lane Cove.
Kylea’s Covid-free
Kylea Tink is back on the hustings after being forced to campaign virtually for a week due to an untimely Covid diagnosis.
Tink, who vigilantly performed daily rapid antigen tests in order to protect her team of volunteers and the constituents she has been meeting with, received a positive result on May 5.
However, the independent candidate for North Sydney kept up appearances on Zoom and was able to rejoin the outside world for the crucial last week and a half of pre-poll.
“Being on pre-poll this past week has been great with so many positive conversations with people about why they’re looking for a change that ensures our community’s federal vote is always cast in a way that reflects our community’s ambitions and values,” Tink said.
“Time and time again, I’m hearing people are looking for an end to the two party political gridlock and can see the benefit of having a strong independent voice as part of a smart consensus building cross bench in the parliament driving true debate.”
Almost 1000 team Tink volunteers have swarmed North Sydney for the duration of the campaign but her supporters are by no means confined to the bounds of the electorate.
Former NSW Environmental Protection Agency chief executive Barry Buffier has been diligently handing out pamphlets for Tink in London to expats enrolled to vote in North Sydney.
Zimmerman’s harbour foreshore vision
Zimmerman has revealed his ambitious plan to work with North Sydney councils to protect public green space.
The Liberal MP, who previously helped secure $10m for the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust’s works at Sub Base Platypus, has pledged that if PM Scott Morrison gets back in another $5.5m-plus will be dedicated to various local projects.
The pledges include: $540,000 for Willoughby City Council to upgrade local bushland walking tracks in Naremburn, Artarmon and Middle Cove; $850,000 to North Sydney Council for improvements to The Coal Loader in Waverton and $2.5m to upgrade Bradfield Park; $1.1m for Lane Cove Council to upgrade bush tracks including those at Ventemans Reach, Lovetts Reserve Boardwalk, Lane Cove Bushland Park, Tambourine Bay Reserve and Gore Creek Reserve; and $400,000 for Hunters Hill Council to build tracks at Clarkes Point Reserve to link Kellys Bush and the Woolwich Dock.
“I think it (green space) is something which has always made our part of Sydney so special. Our foreshore is internationally famous and we are so lucky to be surrounded by our bushland,” Zimmerman said.
“Local residents appreciated it even more during the past two years of lockdowns. I know I personally was out with my doga lot more, exploring the most special parts of our suburbs.”
North Sydney charged up
Willoughby and Lane Cove councils will receive federal funding for six new EV charging stations should the LNP retain power.
North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman said the $310,000 funding was part of the plan to get to net zero by 2050.
“I have always been an enthusiastic supporter of electric vehicles and the immense potential they have to support our emissions reduction targets,” Zimmerman said.
“Many residents in North Sydney do not have access to a charging station at their home or only have access to on-street parking, so these public facilities will provide a simple charging solution which will boost the uptake of EVs while helping to maintain the sustainability of our electricity grid.”
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