Liberal Simon Kennedy wins Cook by-election with no Labor challenge

The former management consultant will replace former prime minister Scott Morrison in federal parliament after a resounding win in Saturday’s poll in Sydney.

Liberal MP-elect Simon Kennedy and wife Nila, son Taj, 8 and daughter Kaia 6 arrive at Burraneer Bay school on election day. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

The Liberal Party has retained the Sydney seat of Cook securing more than 70 per cent of the preferred vote in what was effectively a two-horse, Labor-less race with the Greens despite other candidates.

Former management consultant Simon Kennedy will replace former prime minister Scott Morrison in the blue-ribbon Liberal seat that takes in Sydney’s southern suburbs.

Kennedy, who unsuccessfully ran in the 2022 federal election for the seat of Bennelong on Sydney’s north shore, was not eligible to vote for himself as he only relocated to the area after the electoral roll had closed.

He was supported by Mr Morrison, who campaigned with Mr Kennedy outside polling booths on Saturday.

“He’ll do a terrific job for us locally and as part of our Liberal team. I encourage to come out today to vote and support Simon,” Mr Morrison said.

Scott Morrison with Liberal candidate Simon Kennedy at Lilli Pilli school polling station on Saturday. Picture: X

Mr Morrison retained the Sutherland Shire electorate with a 12.4 per cent margin in 2022 – although down from 19 per cent in 2019 – after he picked up almost two thirds of the two-party preferred vote.

Mr Kennedy’s campaign was low-key as the Labor Party decided not to stand a candidate.

There was also no threat from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation or the United Australia Party, with both minor parties also choosing not to contest what is seen as one of the safest Liberal seats in the country after being held by Mr Morrison for 17 years.

As counting continued on Saturday night and with more than 86,000 votes being counted by 9pm, Labor’s absence looks to increase Mr Kennedy’s margin by close to 8 per cent.

He beat out popular Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce – who had support from the moderate wing of the party – as well as Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner Gwen Cherne in the March preselection.

Mr Kennedy was backed by the right of the party and secured support from former premiers Nick Grenier and Dominic Perrottet as well as former prime minister Tony Abbott.

NSW Liberal Opposition Leader Mark Speakman joined Mr Kennedy on the hustings, describing him as a “very energetic candidate” who would be a great asset to the federal Liberal Party.

“He really hit the ground running from day one. I suspect that scared off prospective Teals and Labor. They saw he was not going to take it for granted,” Mr Speakman said.

The Greens candidate, Cronulla artist Martin Moore, ran on a campaign heavily focused on climate action.

Sources said the minor party’s pro-Palestine position likely alienated some voters in an area with strong Jewish ties.