‘Hypocritical’: Zali Steggall urged to reveal how she’ll vote

Liberal candidate for Warringah Jaimee Rogers says it is ‘hypocritical’ for Zali Steggall to not reveal who she will support in a minority government. Zali insists she can work with both parties.

A loyal follower of Zali Steggall sets the scene for the contest in Warringah, a seat which has contributed to a substantial headache for those in Liberal Party HQ.

“If you look at a graph of the global increase in C02 emissions, I don’t think people realise how serious things are,” David tells this journalist.

“We are one of the biggest exporters of LNG in the world. Newcastle is the biggest coal export port in the world. I’ve heard politicians say - if they are buying, we are selling. You could talk about prostitution … drugs … the opium trade … slavery - they were markets that once made people a lot of money. How well does history remember those things?”

David’s family have used five electric cars and there are solar panels on his roof. He is voting for Ms Steggall because she “listens, is accessible and represents the views I have.”

Zali Steggall in 2019 after beating Tony Abbott in the seat of Warringah. Picture by Damian Shaw

The views of one Northern Beaches constituent provide an insight into the rise of Climate 200, the grassroots political group which is now targeting more than 30 seats on May 3.

With the use of community “independent” candidates and an army of supporters, Climate 200 has won seats using a core argument that Australia needs “climate proofing”, and we have failed to act on the rise of global temperatures.

Thousands of supporters have thrown large donations at this movement, many in affluent suburbs where fears of the looming climate crisis trump cost of living as the number one issue. In Warringah - the weekly household income is $700 higher than the national median.

Ms Steggall has agreed to an interview for this story. The walls of her electorate office contain memorabilia from her days as a Winter Olympian, a framed “Uluru Statement from the Heart” and a giant wooden “Yes” artwork. Almost 60 per cent of her seat voted in support of the failed 2023 Voice referendum. She has been an MP since upsetting Tony Abbott in 2019, bankrolled by a whopping $1.1 million campaign fund.

Zali Steggall at her electoral office in Manly. She is attempting to win Warringah for the third time. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“The duopoly doesn’t serve,” Ms Steggall said.

“We know that through our everyday life … we love to have consumer choice. Why should who represents us (in parliament) be any different?”

With a hung parliament still a possibility, Ms Steggall confirmed she is open to a deal with the Coalition, despite repeated attacks on Peter Dutton. She has accused the opposition leader of “bullying and intimidating people” and said his policy to refuse humanitarian visas from Palestine was “racist”.

“I was also critical of Scott Morrison … I worked with the Morrison Government … we pushed them to commit to Net Zero. I’ve also been critical of Anthony Albanese,” she said.

“I’m being very transparent … (but) we also need all the full facts … including the Coalition’s agreement after the election.”

Is she leaning towards Labor? It was recently revealed Ms Steggall was given an extra staff member, a decision signed off by the Prime Minister.

Climate 200-backed MPs Kylea Tink, Zali Steggall and Zoe Daniel arrive at The Lodge in Canberra for drinks with the Prime Minister. Picture: Martin Ollman

“There is no deal,” Ms Steggall insisted.

“Since the Prime Minister cut my personal staffing from four to one in 2022, I’ve repeatedly requested a consideration. In November the PM granted permission for one additional staff member for the duration of this term.”

Her Liberal opponent in Warringah doesn’t buy it. Jaimee Rogers said it was “hypocritical” for Ms Steggall to “champion transparency while refusing to be open about who she will support in a minority government”.

Ms Rogers has been given a glowing review by Peter Dutton: “we would be lucky to have Jaimee in the parliament … she is an incredible candidate.”

The former media presenter, who quit her job to run in this campaign, tells this masthead Warringah is paying “the highest childcare fees in the country.”

“Housing is a really big issue here. And when you go driving through the strips of Mosman, or along Military Road you just see For Lease signs in all of the windows. People are really hurting,” she said.

Jaimee Rogers, Liberal Candidate for Warringah pictured in McMahon’s Point. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Shop owners in this part of the world are not immune to the wrath of Australia’s energy wars. A Balgowlah butcher, Stef Millin tells this masthead he is paying $2,000 a month for electricity, an increase of 25 per cent in two years. He remains undecided on who to vote for - but would favour any support for power bills and small business.

Ms Steggall stated the best way to cut energy costs is to “buy less from the grid by creating your own with rooftop solar’ and believed there needed to be ‘policies to incentivise body corporates to install even batteries on the premises.”

Ms Rogers fired back: “in North Sydney - 89 per cent of people live in high-rise apartments. You can’t put solar on your roof … so that’s not the solution.”

Pictured is Stef Millin at his Butchers Shop in Balgowlah Heights, who is now paying $2,000 a month for his electricity. Picture: Tim Hunter

The Liberals have vowed to win back once-safe electorates like Warringah, but privately concedes the “teal” wave has had a significant drain on resources.

One insider said: “you used to be able to pull resources out of safe seats in the lead up to polling day and throw everything at the marginals. Now - we are having to fight tooth and nail in almost 20 different NSW electorates.”

Originally published as ‘Hypocritical’: Zali Steggall urged to reveal how she’ll vote