Teal likely to emerge in Pittwater after Liberal NSW MP alleged child sex offences

The teal independent who Rory Amon beat by little over 600 votes in 2023’s NSW election is considering a second tilt following the Liberal incumbent quitting after being charged with child sex offences.

Rory Amon was charged with 10 counts of child sex offences on Friday.

The teal independent former MP Rory Amon beat by just over 600 votes in last year’s NSW election is considering a second tilt at the blue-ribbon northern beaches electorate after the Liberal incumbent quit parliament on Friday after he was charged with child sex offences.

Jacqui Scruby lost to Mr Amon in the north Sydney seat of Pittwater in March 2023 by just 606 votes.

Former Pittwater member Rob Stokes has ruled out his own return to the seat, instead backing northern beaches Liberal deputy mayor Georgia Ryburn as the party’s candidate.

On Friday, Mr Amon was charged with 10 counts of child sex offences pertaining to alleged incidents with a 13-year-old boy in 2017, including sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

He quit both the Liberal Party and state parliament on Friday afternoon but denies the allegations and says he intends to fight the charges.

Pittwater will likely go to a by-election on October 19 to coincide with polls in nearby Epping and Hornsby, vacated by the political retirements of former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet and former treasurer Matt Kean.

On Sunday, Ms Scruby – an environmental lawyer who was backed by Climate 200 – said she’d take the week to consider a second run. If she were to stand again, she would likely be the favourite, regardless of whatever candidate the Liberals ran.

“The resignation of Pittwater’s Liberal MP in relation to very serious criminal charges is confronting news and many in our community are in shock,” Ms Scruby said. “A lot of people in Pittwater, as well as journalists, have asked whether I will run as an independent again. I am taking time this week to hear from the community about what leadership and representation the people of Pittwater want.”

NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman, left, and Mr Amon.

On Friday, NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman at a state executive meeting called for unity, saying he believed the three by-elections were winnable, although Pittwater would be difficult in the face of a community independent campaign.

Senior party sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Mr Amon’s charges, and the severity of the allegations, “took everyone by shock” and they were “realistic” about the party’s chances in the former MP’s seat.

“It’ll be challenging, no doubt,” one senior Liberal said. “It took voters by shock but also us by shock … the severity of the allegations I think makes clear (to voters) it’s not at all a party thing.”

The party insider said Mr Amon’s exit and voter fatigue would prove difficult for the Liberals, particularly if Ms Scruby were to run, although there were strong candidates either looking to run or being sought out by the party. “It’s a by-election no one wanted after an absolute horror three weeks … everyone is reeling (after Mr Amon’s charges),” they said.

His resignation followed the Liberal Party’s much-publicised local government nominations debacle, which saw hundreds of party candidates barred from standing in September’s council elections after HQ failed to lodge their papers.

Independent Jacqui Scruby lost to Mr Amon by 606 votes in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Nominations for preselection in Pittwater opened on Saturday, with the party hoping Ms Ryburn would run, insiders said. Councillors Bianca Crvelin and Michael Gencher were apparently also open to the idea, as was Claire Longley, ruled out last election due to an administrative issue.