Community Independent MPs Zali Steggall in Warringah and Dr. Sophie Scamps in Mackellar have been returned to federal parliament in yesterday's election. Figures released by the Australian Electoral Commission at 10pm, show Dr Scamps had attracted a swing, on a two party preferred basis, of 4.71% after 75% of votes were counted in her battle against Liberal James Brown. Ms Steggall will be returned to parliament for a third term, attracting more than 40% of the first preference votes against Liberal candidate Jaimee Rogers.
Independent candidate for Bradfield Nicolette Boele said earlier on Saturday she was feeling "really positive" on the morning of the federal election.
Ms Boele said she believes the result in the seat this election will be "really close". This is the second time she has contested the seat.
After a 12.3 per cent swing her way in 2022, the seat went from a very safe Liberal seat to a 4.2 per cent tight contest. However, even with 98.65% of the votes counted showing Ms Boele leading 51.4% to 48.6%, the contest there is still too close to call.
The AEC’s data to midnight shows the ALP will have a majority and 80 seats, the Liberal/National Coalition 37 and Independents 11, although the ABC has Labor on 85 seats and the Coalition on 41. Either way this is a historic landslide win for the Australian Labor Party.
In his speech to supporters after Mr. Dutton conceded, Prime Minister Albanese said
"We take on this task with new hope, new confidence and new determination,"
"Our government will choose the Australian way, because we are proud of who we are and all that we have built together in this country," Albanese told supporters.
"We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else. We do not seek our inspiration from overseas. We find it right here in our values and in our people," he added.
Mr. Albanese addressed Labor supporters at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL club in Sydney on Saturday night, calling for national unity before pledging not to take votes for granted and to dedicate his next term to “making a positive difference in your lives”.
Mr. Albanese said the result showed Australians had chosen “optimism and determination”.
“At election time candidates and parties are asked to make a choice. The nature of our democracy and the role of the media who serve it, it is based on differences,” Albanese said.
“But the people of Australia have made the clear choice. Let us reflect on what we have in common, because no matter who you voted for, no matter where you live, no matter how you worship or who you love, whether you belong to a culture that has known and cared for this great continent for 65,000 years or you have chosen our nation as your home and enriched our society with your contribution, we are all Australians.
“So let all of us work together to build our national unity on the enduring foundations of fairness, equality and respect for one another.
My fellow Australians, I know the world has thrown a lot at our country over the past three years. I know so many of you have worked hard in the face of significant challenges, and I know there is still much more to do to help people under pressure. That is why it means so much that in these uncertain times, the people of Australia have placed their trust in Labor once again. Including so many Australians who had voted Labor for the first time.”
Coalition leader Peter Dutton has lost his seat in Dickson to Labor’s Ali France in her third bid to represent the community. The former journalist and para-athlete lost her eldest son Henry to leukaemia last year, and the father of her children, Clive France, lost his battle with cancer in September 2023.
During his concession speech on Saturday night, Mr Dutton congratulated Ms France and apologised for the overall result.
"We didn't do well enough in this campaign, that much is obvious," Mr Dutton said.
"There are good members and candidates who have lost their seats … and I am sorry for that."
Mackellar Data: 2025
The data from the 2025 federal election started coming in soon after the close of polls, 6pm, Saturday May 3.
Before election day a lot of voters had already cast their poll. The AEC says more than 6.77 million people had cast a pre-poll vote, another 1.64 million completed postal votes and 155,000 people who voted with a mobile team.
This would indicate a lot of us had already made up our minds before some of the political parties had made their policy and costings for the same announcements.
Mackellar suburbs include Dee Why, Collaroy, Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Avalon and Frenchs Forest. During the 2024 Redistribution Mackellar expanded south, taking in Forestville, Killarney Heights and North Curl Curl from Warringah. Adding in the vote for Zali Steggall in these areas, it improved the independent margin from 2.5% to 3.3%.
Mackellar had 111,170 registered voters for the 2022 election, this was increased to 129,396 after the 2024 redistribution and elimination of the North Sydney seat.
The AEC's data for Mackellar shows the Narrabeen pre-poll booth was the most used, totalling 14,089 votes prior to Saturday. The Pittwater pre-poll booth at Avalon Recreation Centre had 9,690 cast there, and a further 6,926 cast at the Frenchs Forest pre-poll voting centre. The Brookvale pre-poll booth also attracted a large number of Mackellar pre-poll votes, with 10,177 cast there.
The following was collected as the results came in, beginning with first preferences - and from the AEC Mackellar webpage:
7.30pm: 57.2% for Dr. Scamps
7.40: 58.53% for Dr. Scamps
7.50: 59.74% for Dr. Scamps
8.25: 58.1% for Dr. Scamps - Mr. Brown: 41.86%
8.59: 57.2% for Dr. Scamps to 42.775
At 9pm the pre-poll votes began to be counted.
9:26pm:
Projected two candidate preferred (TCP) for Mackellar (NSW)30 of 50 polling places returned and 70.49% of the ballot papers counted thus far have also had a TCP count undertaken.
Candidate Party Votes Margin Projected TCP (%) Previous election (%) Current Swing (%) Actual TCP (%) Status
BROWN, James Liberal 42.94 48.23 -5.29 42.33
SCAMPS, Sophie Independent 57.06 51.77 +5.29 57.67
9.38: 56.88% to 43.12%
10.10: 56.48% to 43.52%
10.13:
Projected two candidate preferred (TCP) for Mackellar (NSW)40 of 50 polling places returned and 66.15% of the ballot papers counted thus far have also had a TCP count undertaken.
Candidate Party Votes Margin Projected TCP (%) Previous election (%) Current Swing (%) Actual TCP (%) Status
BROWN, James Liberal 43.52 48.23 -4.71 42.94
SCAMPS, Sophie Independent 56.48 51.77 +4.71 57.06
10.14: (from ABC) First preference
Independent Sophie Scamps(MP) Vote:39.1% 31,404 Swing:+0.6%
Liberal Party James Brown Vote:34.3% 27,569 Swing:-6.2%
Labor Party Jeffrey Quinn Vote:12.0% 9,690 Swing:+3.7%
Greens Ethan Hrnjak Vote:6.2% 4,961 Swing:-0.2%
Informal Votes 6.8% at 5,861
Total Votes 86,246
2.5% swing to IND - IND to retain
10.32 pm:
Projected two candidate preferred (TCP) for Mackellar (NSW)44 of 50 polling places returned and 77.94% of the ballot papers counted thus far have also had a TCP count undertaken.
Candidate Party Votes Margin Projected TCP (%) Previous election (%) Current Swing (%) Actual TCP (%) Status
BROWN, James Liberal 43.80 48.23 -4.43 43.52
SCAMPS, Sophie Independent 56.20 51.77 +4.43 56.48
11.10pm:
Returned with a greater margin MP for Mackellar, Dr. Sophie Scamps posts on Instagram and FB: ‘WE DID IT MACKELLAR’ with a photo montage of volunteers and events that have occurred during the election campaign.
An hour after this, as the results became undeniable, this was followed by:
''Thank you, thank you, thank you Mackellar!''
Photo montage - Mackellar MP Dr. Sophie Scamps and volunteer supporters/events during her 2025 campaign
12.20 am:
Projected two candidate preferred (TCP) for Mackellar (NSW) 50 of 50 polling places returned and 100.00% of the ballot papers counted thus far have also had a TCP count undertaken.
Candidate Party Votes Margin Projected TCP (%) Previous election (%) Current Swing (%) Actual TCP (%) Status
BROWN, James Liberal - - 44.37 48.23 -3.86 44.23
SCAMPS, Sophie Independent - - 55.63 51.77 +3.86 55.77
First preference count for the division of Mackellar
COTTON, Lisa Independent 1,933 1.97 +1.97
HAYMAN, Brad Pauline Hanson's One Nation 2,389 2.43 -0.17
HRNJAK, Ethan The Greens 5,699 5.80 -0.23
ADDISON, Justin Libertarian 1,724 1.75 +1.75
ROBERTSON, Amber Trumpet of Patriots 1,326 1.35 +1.35
BROWN, James Liberal 35,036 35.66 -4.58
SINGH, Mandeep Independent 583 0.59 +0.59
SCAMPS, Sophie Independent 38,053 38.73 +3.47 Previous Member
QUINN, Jeffrey Labor 11,512 11.72 +3.77
Formal 98,255 93.44 -2.68
Informal 6,899 6.56 +2.68
Total 105,154
Worth noting is the difference in the postal votes between the two leading candidates. Here Mr. Brown secured 1,827 or 47.80% of the votes and Dr. Scamps 1,152 or 30.14%.
The AEC's Mackellar data is available at: tallyroom.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionPage-31496-132.htm
Dr. Sophie Scamps, returned MP for Mackellar, stated via Instagram on Sunday:
''There is no community independent without community - thank you to every single volunteer and of course our dedicated team. You all worked so incredibly hard. You amaze me.
Thank you and huge kudos to all the candidates - competition strengthens our democracy.
Our community deserves to be heard and have someone who will always stand up for our views, values and priorities. I will continue do that to the best of my ability.''
Georgia Steele, Chief Policy Adviser for Dr Sophie Scamps MP, Dr. Sophie Scamps, and Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby (right) at volunteers event on Saturday evening. Photo: Instagram/Dr. Scamps
Warringah
Zali Steggall - Independent - and from the AEC Warringah webpage:
7.30: 63.2%
7.58: 60.82%
8.26: 63.65% - Jaimee Rogers R: 36.35%
9.00: 63.83% to 36.17%
9.35: 63.52% to 36.48%
10.10: 63.38% to 36.62%
Profile of the Week VALE Gwenyth Sneesby
June 17, 1924 - April 10, 2025
At 2025 Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch Anzac Day Commemorative Service the Sub-Branch President, Deborah Carter, broke the news that our community has lost World War Two Veteran Gwenyth Sneesby just days before this year's Services.
President Carter stated:
''Anzac Day is not just about WW1 (the war to end all wars) but is a remembrance of all campaigns in theatres of war and sadly many wars have followed.
In my view, the war that changed Australia was WW2 because the enemy was close on our doorstep and the Brisbane line was proposed. With the fear of occupation of the Japanese, the government decided that the Japanese could live north of Brisbane, and the Australians could live south of Brisbane.
I pay tribute to our WW2 veterans, the young men of the militia of Kokoda, Templeton’s Crossing, the battles Milne Bay, Gona and Buna which broke the back of the Japanese from further aspirations to take Australia.
I also pay tribute to the 7th division on returning from the Middle East who assisted with this triumph.
Sadly, on Thursday 10 April this year, we lost WW2 Veteran, Gwen Sneesby, nee Forster. Service no. WR379. (17 June 1924 – 10 April 2025, just 9 weeks short of her 101st birthday).
Gwen was a Mona Vale girl who attended Mona Vale Public School and her name is on the WW2 Honour Roll; Gwen Forster.
Gwen’s father was in the Australian Navy in WW1. He was seconded to England to work with the Royal Navy. As a small child, Gwen returned to Australia by ship and this is when she decided she wanted to join the Navy.
With the outbreak of WW2, Gwen went to the recruiting office was in Loftus street, Circular Quay and signed up to become a WRAN; she was 18 years.
After basic training at HMAS Penguin, Gwen spent the next three years at Bradley’s Head Degaussing Range. This was built and staffed by the US Navy who trained eight WRANS (where Gwen was Leading Writer) to operate the instruments required for the testing of the ship’s Magnetic Field. This was essential for the electrical officers to calculate settings required to repel magnetic mines. The Degaussing Range was later taken over by the RAN and at the end of the war the building was completely demolished.
On 01 June 1942, at 2:30am, the Japanese Midget Subs entered Sydney Harbour and torpedoed the steam ferry HMAS Kuttabul which was docked at Garden Island where 21 sailors were killed. Fatefully, Gwen happened to be off duty when the HMAS Kuttabul was sunk.
Anzac Day is not just a day we remember our ANZACS, but we salute all veterans who have put on the uniform, in particular, our current serving members and Reservists who have kept us safe during fire assist, Covid safe, floods and border control. Thanks also to our Kiwi cousins.''
A service for Gwen was held on Monday, 28 April 2025 at the Ann Wilson Funerals Mona Vale Chapel on the corner of Barrenjoey Road and Darley Street Mona Vale so family members and friends could celebrate Gwenyth.
The news service was very fortunate to meet and speak with Gwen when she was in her late 80's, in 2013, to speak about her Service during World War Two.
As a mark of respect, and Tribute, her story in her words runs this week.
Thank you for your Service Gwen - and for a lifetime of being a kind and gentle lady who cared about her community.
These middens would become the subject of a money-making venture for early settlers and those transported as convicts to Australia, and would form a vital part of making the cement to construct some of Sydney's earliest buildings.
However, this was not the only early venture as here a salt-making venture was carried out, directly opposite Salt Pan Cove at Newport, and here too, ship building took place, again on the north facing end of the island, the last known one to be built and launched from here being the Geordy and from the current site of the Tennis Wharf.
Pittwater Council heritage records state some remnants of an early stone wharf at this location form part of the current Tennis Court Wharf.
These industries can be directly attributed to the man who was granted the island by the colonising UK Government, and who had been transported here as a convict himself - Andrew Thompson.
With today's Scotland Islanders continuing the modern tradition of a creative industry based in the people and the place itself, which stretches back decades in all forms of the Arts; Literature, Painting, Music, Theatre, and the newest offering, 'Wedding Island', debuting next weekend May 9-10, and two last shows of May 16 and 17, a resharing of an old history insight from the first round of Pittwater Patriarchs, led out by Bungaree and followed by Andrew Thompson, of Scotland Island.
Baptised on 7 February 1773 at Kirk Yetholm, a village in the Scottish Borders region of Scotland, 13 km south east of Kelso and less than 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the border, and 4 kilometres from Thompsons Walls, Andrew Thompson was the youngest and sixth child of John Thompson, a weaver, manufacturer and dyer, and his wife Agnes, née Hilson.
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Aquatics A Field Guide to the Marine Life of Coastal Reefs and Rock Pools: by Phil Colman - Peter Mitchell - an expanded + updated 'Exploring Tidal Waters on Australia’s Temperate Coast' for all who live here
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DIY Ideas Pittwater's Noxious Weeds: A Great Time To Get Outdoors, Pull Them Out, Replace With Native Plants
With so many wanting to be outdoors instead of indoors, and then wondering what to do to 'keep moving' while there, an opportune time to rid our gardens of the weeds that spread into our bush reserves and playfields presents itself, especially in the case of those like lantana or cassia, currently easy to spot with those bright yellow flowers. Weeds such as this, imported from other places prior to Australia working out they don't suit here, spread into areas they shouldn't be, displacing the native vegetation and this as a food source for native animals.
Recent persistent rains followed by bursts of sun amke now is a great time to get outdoors and get them out.
This Issue a few tips on 'how to' and our id photos of those found here to help you identify those in your garden
Pictures Avalon Bulldogs A Grade 2025: Three Pittwater A Grade Teams this Season
Food Invitation to share: Naturellement Festival – A Natural Wine & Food Celebration Just a Ferry Ride Away - runs May 17 to 18 at Ettalong Beach
Events Warriewood Swim on first week of May, Band Comp. at Palm Beach, Concerts, Music, Markets, Social Groups, + lots more.
