North Sydney MP Kylea Tink believes she can help unite crossbench

With upwards of 15 crossbenchers in the upcoming parliament, could North Sydney’s new independent Kylea Tink be the woman who brings them together?

If anyone has the skill set to bring the best out of Australia’s rapidly expanding crossbench, it’s our new Member for North Sydney Kylea Tink.

Ms Tink is only the second independent to ever hold the blue-ribbon seat, following in the footsteps of the late, great Ted Mack.

“My background is 35 years in building teams, running businesses and driving campaigns,” Ms Tink said.

“I know without a shadow of a doubt you get the best outcomes when you bring people together around a common ambition.

“That’s the opportunity that’s presented by a stronger, more diverse crossbench to this next sitting of parliament.”

23rdKylea Tink and her supporters at Jeffrey Street wharf in Kirribilli. Photo: Julian Andrews

While there was much speculation it could take weeks for a result to emerge in the tight contest for North Sydney, Tink’s victory was determined swiftly.

So swiftly, in fact, Ms Tink could hardly believe it.

“It was only after (outgoing Liberal MP) Trent (Zimmerman) called me on Sunday that it really hit me – this was really happening,” Ms Tink said.

“He was every bit the gentleman you expect of him and congratulated us on running a great campaign and then said he was sure I would be a great member for North Sydney. It was at that point my family started jumping around and screaming, ‘we’ve done it, we’ve done it!”

While Ms Tink is eager to get started on furthering Helen Haines’ integrity bill and actioning Zali Steggall’s on climate, there are also a number of local issues she is keen to champion.

Tink outside Naremburn School with her three children after voting on election day. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images)

“Another pretty immediate priority is working out what is going on with the Western Harbour Tunnel and the Beaches Link projects,” Ms Tink said.

“We need to make sure we take advantage of the opportunity with the lull with these two projects to make sure whatever the solutions for the community that have been planned are actually in the best interests of everybody. I had committed to pulling together a panel of independent experts to really unpack this.

“Infrastructure Australia has taken them both off the list of priority projects. I know there were questions with them both supporting the business cases because they are incredibly expensive projects.

“We really need to look at them and decide how do we get the solutions our community needs as a whole without pincering the North Sydney CBD and penalising people who live around that Cammeray Park and Tunks Park area.”

Ms Tink also plans to lobby new Prime Minster Anthony Albanese to make good on his election pledge to fund a community battery for Cammeray, which will allow people in homes unsuitable for panels to access solar power.

Tink ran a strong campaign. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“North Sydney has one of the best opportunities to be one of the first net-zero urban energy zones in the country,” Ms Tink said.

After eight months heading up Team Tink and winning what many at first considered an impossible race, the real job begins.

“The campaigning part was only step one. Now the hard work really begins to make sure I’m following through and delivering on the ambitions people asked me to pursue,” Ms Tink said.

“I will bring 170 per cent every day because I recognise the responsibility and the opportunity I’ve been given and I’m looking forward to doing it.”

Originally published as North Sydney MP Kylea Tink believes she can help unite crossbench