Independent MP Kylea Tink’s surprise in first speech to parliament

One of the new teal independents in federal parliament has made a surprising revelation during her first speech.

Independent MP Kylea Tink says she will have “just two masters” in federal parliament — her community and her conscience.

The new member for North Sydney addressed the House of Representatives for the first time on Wednesday evening.

Ms Tink used her speech to set the record straight on the pronunciation of her first name.

“When people first see my name, many find it hard to pronounce and often call me Ky-lee-a,” she said.

“But it is literally plain ‘Kylie’ spelt in a way that only young, optimistic parents of the 70s could ever have conceived.

MP for North Sydney Kylea Tink poses for a photograph with her supporters after the federal election. Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

She said her name wasn’t a traditional spelling found in Parliament House or the business circles where she had spent most of her former career.

“But my name suits me perfectly. It is quintessentially Australian, with a quirk: much like me as a current parliamentarian,” she said.

“I may not be what you would traditionally expect to see in this House. I don’t have any party heritage. I did not aspire to be in politics as I moved through my career.

“But when the community organisation, North Sydney’s Independent, approached me to run in the recent federal election, I said yes.”

Ms Tink was among seven new female independents to all be sworn in together. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Ms Tink is one of six ‘teal’ independents who won inner city seats from incumbent Liberal MPs by campaigning on promises to act on climate change and restore integrity to government.

She said she was drawn to the idea that democracy could only be made stronger if people had a “genuine voice” in the political debate.

Hers was a surprising yet decisive victory over moderate Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman.

On Wednesday night she outlined her policy priorities — including climate, the rights of refugees, mental health and representing her local electorate.

Ms Tink said she was proud to be a member of the crossbench in the 47th parliament, seated alongside other teals and independent MPs.