April 1 - 30, 2025: Issue 641
Mackellar 2025 Candidates
This Saturday, May 3rd 2025, the 2025 Australian Election will be held. If people can’t vote on election day then they may vote at early voting centres now open across the Mackellar Electorate until Friday May 2nd.
Time to cast your Ballot
Your closest early voting centres in Mackellar are:
Avalon Recreation Centre - Activity Room 4, Level 1, 59A Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach
Bilarong Community Hall - Bilarong Reserve, Wakehurst Pkwy, North Narrabeen
Terrey Hills Community Centre - Yulong Ave, Terrey Hills
Opening hours for all three centres are:
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Fri 2 May: 8:30 am–6 pm
For those voting on Saturday May 3rd you can find your nearest polling booth on the AEC's Where To Vote tool.
Although the AEC states over one million people have cast their ballots early in the first few days of early voting, and as of Saturday 26 April, one week before polling day, a total of 2,397,351 had been taken representing 13.2% of enrolment, with over 18 million people voting this election, there are likely to be queues at some centres a certain times across the day.
Postal Votes
The AEC is asking anyone who needs a postal vote, but has not yet applied, to do so ASAP. The latest urging from the AEC follows earlier advice for people to plan their vote early and, if needed, apply for a postal vote early in the election period.
''Australia has some of the best in-person voting options in the world. If a voter can turn up to a voting centre, then that is what they must do.'' the AEC states
While the legislated deadline for postal vote applications is this Wednesday 30 April, anyone who leaves it until the final week risks their postal vote pack not arriving in time.
People can apply for a postal vote on the AEC website.
As of COB on March 22, around 2.39m people had applied for a postal vote with 2.2m postal vote packs distributed so far.
With around 2.2 million postal vote packs already distributed the AEC is also urging anyone who has received their postal vote ballot papers to complete them as soon as possible and put them in the return mail (using the reply-paid envelope supplied as part of the pack).
Once a postal vote pack is received, a voter must have completed their ballot paper, placed it in the return envelope and had it witnessed before the close of polling on election day.
Voters who do not receive their postal vote pack by Friday 2 May should, if at all possible, make arrangements to vote in-person on election day. Voters who fail to cast a vote will be contacted by the AEC and asked to explain why they did not vote.
The large volume of Postal Votes indicate a confirmed result on election night may not be possible - unless there is a clear landslide.
While election analysts may be in a position to predict results on election night, the AEC has a higher threshold. The AEC cannot formally declare the result in any electorate until it is mathematically impossible for any other result to occur. In other words, the number of outstanding or uncounted votes must be lower than the margin the winning candidate is leading by.
These declarations typically begin taking place in the week following the election.
Opportunity to Speak to the Electorate Coming Back from School Holidays - Easter and Anzac Day breaks
The Pittwater Online News Mackellar 2025 Candidates Profile/s for those who have responded to your questions run below in ballot order.
Before judging those who have not responded, it is worth considering their support teams may have let them down. No one genuinely standing for a seat would opt to NOT take a no-fee (or no-advertising) charged opportunity to speak to the electorate they are vying to represent. Links to their webpages or websites are still made available below for those who want see or hear what they've said, committed to, or done so far - just in case!
Some of these are active on social media platforms as well. If there isn't much available via that provided by their party, or selves, it may be worth seeking them out online, see what they have to say. And of course, some are at the above early voting centres - so you can speak to them there.
The flipside of this, as illustrated in the recently passed Federal Electoral Reform Bill, is our elections are, for some, about generating money that can be spent to further an agenda or narrative.
A registered political party is entitled to election funding when candidates it has endorsed receive at least four per cent of the formal first preference votes in an election. An unendorsed candidate, who is not a member of a Senate group, is also eligible for election funding when they receive at least four per cent of the formal first preference votes cast in an election.
The value of the election funding entitlement is calculated by multiplying the total number of formal first preference votes received by the current election funding rate.
The recently passed legalisation will increase the current $3.386 per eligible vote to $5 - all of which comes from us taxpayers.
The AEC's 2022 election statistics for first preferences in Mackellar provides residents with an insight into why some candidates are announced but never seen or heard in the electorate in election after election.
Your queries for this election asked the candidates to share a little more about themselves, especially their connection to Mackellar and any community works/volunteer groups they may have been or involved in, whether their connection to here has been a lifelong one or of more recent decades/years, and how they will represent your interests across fundamentals such as cost-of-living, supporting families, small business, healthcare, how they would address climate change (and restoration of the environment), work to look after all age groups from the young to the mature and, as always, 'why should I vote for you?'.
Along with these responses, the AEC is urging voters to 'Stop and Consider' and has made available a webpage of tips to help voters identify false or misleading information on voting, along with a Disinformation Register as legislation to ban Disinformation and Misinformation in Australian elections has still not been passed by the federal government.
In running the responses received below a further 'Stop and Consider' is presented.
Readers would know by now the news service does not 'edit' others voices - it all goes up verbatim and as received, apart from words incorrectly spelled.
Lastly, although under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA) no political advertising is allowed on television or radio during the three days prior to an election, meaning from 12 am Thursday 1 May 2025 that will cease, the election advertising blackout does not include online services and print media - and those unsolicited and unsigned up for alarmist or downright untrue emails - how did they get our contact details?!! Lucky so many are going straight to 'junk'.
2025 Candidates in Ballot Paper Order (9 Candidates)
Candidate Name Party
Lisa Cotton Independent - website: NO RESPONSE RECEIVED
Brad Hayman Pauline Hanson's One Nation - website
Ethan Hrnjak The Greens – webpage
Justin Addison Libertarian – website: NO RESPONSE RECEIVED
Amber Robertson Trumpet of Patriots – webpage: NO RESPONSE RECEIVED
James Brown Liberal – webpage: NO RESPONSE RECEIVED
Mandeep Singh Independent
Sophie Scamps Independent - website
Jeffrey Quinn Labor – webpage
Brad Hayman
Paulie Hanson's One Nation party
After a long history in retail management, Brad Hayman, together with his wife Stella and 4 children, first moved to Australia is 2002, to study theology at the Wesley Institute, Drummoyne. The family returned to South Africa before re-settling permanently in the Mackellar area in 2010, employed by well-known fashion retailer, Colette Hayman.
In 2023 Brad returned to service in Christian ministry and has been active in this area ever since. He also has 2 small businesses that support this not-for-profit community activity as well as having coached and refereed local junior football.
Like many Australians, I’ve watched as the cost of living rises, housing becomes unaffordable, and small businesses struggle. Families are told what to think, while decisions are being made behind closed doors, leaving everyday Australians out of the conversations that shape their future.
As a small business owner, I understand the challenges people face just to stay afloat. Australians are losing trust in a government which seems disconnected from the people it represents.
I’m standing for policies that restore affordable housing, protect local jobs, and keep essential ser-vices in Australian hands. This includes lowering energy costs, removing political agendas from schools, ensuring foreign companies pay their fair share of tax, and maintaining immigration at a level that is sustainable and in Australia’s best interests.
This election, your vote can make an impact. It’s time for leadership that listens, acts with integrity, and ensures Australians are heard, bringing meaningful change and restoring confidence in our future.
I’m not a career politician. I’m part of this community, and like many Australians, I’m concerned about the direction we’re heading. We have moved too far from the values that once made this country strong. Values like personal responsibility, fairness, freedom of speech, and the ability to question decisions without fear.
More and more Australians are tired of watching the cost-of-living rise while promises fall flat, of decisions being made behind closed doors and of feeling left out of the conversations that shape their lives.
That’s why I’m focused on real, practical policies that support Australian families, strengthen local industries, and give everyday people a fair go through:
- Making housing more affordable by addressing foreign ownership and ensuring locals aren’t priced out of their own communities
- Protecting Australian jobs and businesses so we remain resilient and self-sufficient in a changing world
- Letting schools focus on education, not ideology, and giving parents confidence in what their children are being taught
- Backing affordable, reliable energy so families and businesses aren’t punished for simply turning on the lights
- Defending freedom of speech and choice because Australians deserve the right to speak honestly and live without fear of censorship or overreach
It’s time for leadership that listens, acts with integrity, and reflects the values of the people it represents. I’m running to make sure your voice is heard and your concerns are taken seriously where it matters most.
This election, your vote can send a clear message. Vote for leadership that reflects the priorities of everyday Australians and restores confidence in our future.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Do you have a policy or plan to support small business?
Small business people are creative, resilient and dynamic. The one thing they do need is less govt and a fair environment within which to operate. In this regard I believe reducing energy costs is a key factor and One Nation has plans to slash energy bills by 20% by changing National Electricity Market rules relating to baseload power.
By cutting back on $90 billion of wasting govt and spending, One Nation will be able to invest heavily in infrastructure to support business.
Do you have a policy or plan to support families?
One nation has plans to allow couples with a dependent child to file joint tax returns to split their income, saving a family who earns $120,000 through one parent of $9,500 a year in tax. This will return $5bn a year to struggling families.
Halving the fuel excise, increasing the Medicare rebate, funding the ACCC to crackdown on supermarket gouging and reducing the cost of new cars will also help families.
The following policies will also help young Australians get into the property market:
- ending uncontrolled mass migration
- preventing non-Australia/permanent from residential home ownership
- establishing ‘peoples Mortgages’ with fixed interest rates over 30 years
- rolling HECS debts into People’s Mortgages, to ease debt
- Implementing a GST moratorium in building materials (cutting 10% of building costs)
- Allowing one’s superannuation to be invested into their own home
Do you have a policy or plan to support seniors?
One Nation will:
- Allow aged and veteran pensioners to work part or full time without penalty, bringing up to 600,000 skilled older Australian back into the workforce.
- Raise the tax-free threshold to $35,000 for self-funded retirees, also encouraging more participation in the workforce by qualified, experienced, English-speaking Australians.
Do you have a policy or plan to support younger voters?
One Nation believes limiting immigration will allow young Australians to get into the job market and without being paid minimal wages
What are your policies to protect Australians from climate impacts?
One Nation will abolish the Department of Climate Change, related agencies and programs, conservatively estimated to cost $30 billion a year. The entire climate change industry is beset with misinformation and back hand deals that allow large corporates to shed their responsibilities and for middle men to enrich themselves through carbon monetising, swapping and trading; leaving the consumer to once again bear the brunt of new policies.
One of the greatest impacts on Australians is the huge increases in energy costs which is directed related to the war on CO2, a harmless gas we breathe out and which nature depends on to survive.
The worldwide Covid lockdown clearly showed that manmade CO2 has zero impact on CO2 PPM
One Nation will bring transparency to the entire energy market. As a major supplier of coal and gas, Australia should have some of the cheapest energy in the world.
Do you support a Net Zero target – and if so by when and how would that be achieved? And if not why?
One Nation does not subscribe to a Net Zero economy which is devastating Europe and is set to leave the UK in permanent recession. Costs are understated and benefits overstated and continually revised. Natural environments and wildlife are being devastated by policies that are neither green, nor cheap.
Securing cheap local energy will be prioritised over exporting energy resources to other nations.
Under One Nation, exporting Australian coal and gas will attract the taxes and royalties that align with the millions of tons of CO2 they generate to extract and ship.
What, specifically, are your plans to protect the environment of Mackellar and Pittwater in particular?
I would consult with local parties and interests before formulating a plan. What we can all agree with is that our area is a unique and beautiful part of the world that needs to be protected.
Given your background do you have any policies specific to supporting the next generation?
The most important policies will be those that reduce the cost of living and remove hinderances to entering the workplace and property market. I believe One Nation’s policies address these issues far better than any other political party.
Why should I vote for you?
Perhaps because I am not a career politician that serves centralized and external interests. I am just an average, local guy that is very concerned about changes taking place in Australia, the worst of which will be felt by future generations.
Ethan Hrnjak
The Greens
I’m 21, grew up on the Northern Beaches and am the youngest person ever elected to Northern Beaches Council. I’m also one of the youngest Greens councillors in NSW amongst only a handful of Gen Z councillors across the state. I love politics because I see it as an important avenue for improving people’s lives and protecting the environment. I joined the Greens because I felt a lot of anxiety about the climate and the future.
I’m also a self-described Solarpunk, which is an optimistic literary and artistic movement that envisages a sustainable future interconnected with nature and community. I’m currently studying Environment and Climate Change Law at Macquarie University and can often be found enjoying our bushland and beaches during my free time.
This election, I’m running to provide a strong progressive voice in Mackellar. I’m also campaigning to re-elect the Greens NSW Senator Dr Mehreen Faruqi. Mehreen, who’s an environmental and civil engineer, has been fearless in holding the two major parties to account.
On council, I make decisions based on fairness and wish our governments did the same. Whilst I have a natural connection with young people, I always consider the wider community and environment. I would continue this approach representing you in Mackellar. I will always fight for our wellbeing and for what’s fair.
As always, the Greens are offering concrete and visionary solutions to the issues we face. Instead of marching to the neoliberal drumbeat of tax cuts and deductible lunches for businesses, we’ll tackle the issues close to the hearts and hip pockets of Northern Beaches residents.
While some might consider my age a negative, I think it’s a super power. I speak with first-hand understanding of the inequality young people face. In fact, the Greens consider diversity an important aspect of Parliamentary representation. We don’t take donations from big business, so I will never be captured by vested interests - as many older politicians are. I won’t be the youngest MP ever elected to Parliament anyway but I hope to bring a fresh point of view to decisions that affect not only young people, but also minority groups and the wider community.
Do you have a policy or plan to support small business?
Our cost of living policies aim to keep more money in people’s pockets, enabling them to spend at small local businesses, whether it’s buying Friday night takeway, tools at the hardware shop, or music lessons for your kids.
Those policies include:
- Introducing a 110% small business wages credit
- Bringing down your power bills
- Provide grants and low-interest loans to help small businesses (and households) electrify, install solar batteries, and cut emissions and energy bills.
- Doubling the GST Registration Threshold
- Defending you from unfair contract terms from large businesses and
- Introducing strict laws to ensure they pay you on time.
Do you have a policy or plan to support families?
Yes, we will provide free school meals, $800 per student a year for back to school essentials, free childcare, dental and mental health into Medicare, bring back free GP visits and make supermarket price gouging illegal. Provide fifty cent public transport fares across the country. We will also wipe all student debt and provide free education from preschool to university. That includes providing funding of $2.4 billion over the forward estimates for public schools, in order to abolish school fees and changes. This is on top of the 100% Schooling Resource Standard funding we have already committed to.
Do you have a policy or plan to support seniors?
The Greens announced on Saturday April 26 a plan to lower the retirement age and lift the age pension above the poverty line, allowing Australians to retire earlier on a liveable income.
By lowering the pension age from 67 to 65, recipients who benefit would on average receive $18,000 more a year. This includes those moving from JobSeeker to the Age Pension. There are currently 54,295 JobSeeker recipients who are aged over 65. Since 2017 the proportion of people older than 65 receiving JobSeeker, DSP or the Carer Payment has doubled.
The commitment will largely benefit older women who are more likely than men to face the prospect of poverty in old age. The majority of JobSeeker recipients aged over 65 are women.
We will:
- Increase the aged care pension.
- Reducing waiting times for Aged Care Packages by uncapping their total number.
- Ensuring timely access by funding Aged Care Assessment Teams to process applications within 30 days.
- Establishing a National Aged Care Redress Scheme, by implementing monetary payments for survivors of aged care harm.
- Supporting recovery by offering psychosocial, social, and legal assistance to survivors and their families.
- Raising pay and standards for aged care staff.
- Adopting all recommendations of the Aged Care inquiry.
Do you have a policy or plan to support younger voters?
Yes we will increase income support payments, wipe student debt, make TAFE and university free, improve renters rights and make home ownership more accessible.
To protect our future, we will introduce strong climate action and tough environmental measures (see below under questions 4. And 7.)
These will include:
- Investing 1% of the Federal Budget to protect and restore nature, doubling current environment spending and delivering an extra $17 billion over the next four years.
- Ending native forest logging and closing deforestation loopholes to save remaining bushland and critical habitat.
- Placing a moratorium on clearing koala habitat to stop this iconic species from vanishing.
- Introducing a climate trigger to assess the environmental impact of mines and developments.
- Establishing a $5 billion Protected Areas Fund to expand and protect high-biodiversity regions, including World Heritage protection for the Great Australian Bight.
- Delivering $20 billion for biodiversity restoration over the next decade — including threatened species recovery, invasive species control, and river and habitat rehabilitation.
What are your policies to protect Australians from climate impacts?
- No new coal and gas, net zero by 2035 and renewable power export. End native forest logging, fossil fuel subsidies, fund a just transition for workers and stop the extinction crisis.
- Stopping new coal and gas.
- Expanding publicly-owned renewable energy.
- Ending the billions in handouts to coal, oil and gas corporations.
- Ending native forest logging.
- Lowering power bills by transitioning to more reliable, clean energy.
- Subsidising solar & batteries for homes & businesses.
- Ending fossil fuel subsidies for all industries except agriculture.
- Saving koalas and our wildlife from extinction.
- Creating thousands of jobs during the transition.
- Providing grants and low-interest loans to help households and small businesses electrify, install solar batteries, and cut emissions and energy bills.
Do you support a Net Zero target – and if so by when and how would that be achieved?
Yes, net zero by 2035 by stopping new coal and gas and funding a renewable transition.
What, specifically, are your plans to protect the environment of Mackellar and Pittwater in particular?
Support indigenous rangers, our local wildlife and environment by ending coal and gas, creating a coastal commissioner, banning offshore gas and increasing nature and marine reserves. We will strengthen nature laws and the EPBC Act to ensure an impartial umpire makes decisions around egregious projects like PEP11 rather than politicians with fossil fuel ties. We will nationalise Northern Beaches Hospital with Federal assistance to NSW Government, invest $20 billion in a biodiversity repair fund to conserve Pittwater and Mackellar’s natural environment and create a $5 billion Protected Areas Fund to ensure regions with unique heritage and biodiversity is protected and heritage listed.
Given your background in environmental law (which you are currently studying), do you have any policies or advocacy specific to supporting restoring our environment?
- Invest 1% of the Federal Budget to protect and restore nature, doubling current environment spending and delivering an extra $17 billion over the next four years.
- End native forest logging and close deforestation loopholes to save remaining bushland and critical habitat.
- Place a moratorium on clearing koala habitat to stop this iconic species from vanishing.
- Introduce a climate trigger to assess the environmental impact of mines and developments.
- Establish a $5 billion Protected Areas Fund to expand and protect high-biodiversity regions, including World Heritage protection for the Great Australian Bight.
- Deliver $20 billion for biodiversity restoration over the next decade — including threatened species recovery, invasive species control, and river and habitat rehabilitation.
- Create a Land and Sea Country Commissioner, an independent First Nations voice to guide environmental protection and embed Indigenous cultural heritage values.
- Mandate nature risk disclosure for businesses and governments to plan better and prevent future harm.
- Re-establish and expand the remit of the National Water Commission to regulate and safeguard our precious water resources.
- Spend $300 million installing greywater recycling systems in Australian households and community spaces to save precious water and reduce household costs.
- Provide $200 million to rehabilitate major rivers and lakes in Australian cities to be clean enough to swim in within the next decade. This funding would invest in water treatment, environmental clean-up and stormwater harvesting.
- Make greenwashing illegal through updated consumer and corporation legislation that includes:
- Standardised definitions of commonly used environmental terms;
- Clear requirements that business must meet to make an environmental claim;
- Independent verification and certification of environmental claims; and
- Penalties for those who do not comply.
- Implement mandatory nature-related financial disclosure, requiring businesses to monitor, assess and transparently disclose their impacts on biodiversity.
Why should I vote for you?
The Greens have costed plans to help families, older and younger Australians deal with the multiple crises facing us at the moment. These will be paid for by taxing the billionaires and making corporations pay their fair share of tax. By doing so, we can fund policies that make a material difference in people’s lives, including: placing dental and mental health in Medicare; strong supermarket price-gouging laws; 1% caps on mortgages; fully free education; clean, cheap renewable energy for all; and measures to protect and restore nature.
As the youngest Councillor on Northern Beaches Council, I know that some consider my age a negative, but I consider it a super power. I speak with a first-hand understanding of the inequality that is facing young people, and I haven’t been around long enough to become the pawn of vested interests. As a young person, I hope to bring a fresh point of view and perspective to the decisions that affect not only young people and minority groups but the wider community as well. This is what I’ve done on Council where I’ve stood with the community against inappropriate development, rate increases and tree canopy loss.
This election, change is possible. You just have to vote for it.
Anything else you'd like to add to your section?
Our policies are costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office. We will fund our election commitments by taxing the big corporations and billionaires - a third of whom currently pay no tax.
For those concerned about “wasting a vote” in a close election, remember that thanks to preferential voting, you can mark your real first choice as number 1 on the ballot, but if that candidate doesn’t get enough votes to win, your vote goes to your second choice, and so on.
Learn more about the Greens’ policies for this election at:greens.org.au/platform
Follow me on Instagram @ethanhrnjak
Mandeep Singh ('Sunny ')
Independent
Mandeep Singh Sunny is a proud Australian, small business owner, and independent candidate for Mackellar who has lived and worked in the Northern Beaches for over two decades. He arrived in Australia in 2003 and quickly made the Northern Beaches his home, where he has since built a life dedicated to family, community, and service.
Mandeep operates multiple hospitality businesses in the area, including the Waterview Café at Mona Vale Golf Club, providing employment opportunities to locals and serving as a gathering spot for residents. His grassroots experience gives him first hand insight into the challenges and opportunities facing local families, workers, and small business owners.
Elected as a Northern Beaches Councillor in 2021, Mandeep has consistently advocated for better infrastructure, transparency in council spending, and stronger community engagement. He is a regular presence at community events, surf lifesaving fundraisers, school gatherings, and local clean-up efforts, and he champions inclusivity and fairness for all residents—regardless of background.
What sets Mandeep apart is his genuine commitment to serve beyond politics. He is not backed by major parties, and his campaign is run by locals who believe in putting Mackellar first—above party lines and political games. His deep connection to the region, combined with his lived experience as a migrant, entrepreneur, and local representative, equips him to be a strong voice for real change.
Your Questions:
Have you resigned from the Liberal Party?
Yes. I have left party politics to serve Mackellar independently. I am committed to representing the community, not a political party.
Do you have a policy or plan to support small businesses?
Yes. I will advocate to reduce red tape, lower taxes, and provide targeted grants to help small businesses grow and hire locally.
Do you have a policy or plan to support families?
Yes. Cost-of-living support, better local healthcare, and improved education services are at the heart of my family-first platform.
Do you have a policy or plan to support seniors?
Yes. I support increasing aged care funding, improving in-home support services, and making our suburbs more senior-friendly.
Do you have a policy or plan to support younger voters?
Yes. I will champion skills training, job pathways, and affordable housing programs to empower young people.
What are your policies to protect Australians from climate impacts?
I support local sustainability programs, renewable energy incentives, and resilient infrastructure planning.
Do you support a Net Zero target – and if so by when and how would that be achieved?
Yes. I support Net Zero by 2050 through a mix of renewable energy investment, clean tech innovation, and community transition support.
What, specifically, are your plans to protect the environment of Mackellar and Pittwater in particular?
I will protect bushland, oppose overdevelopment, restore coastal areas, and support marine and foreshore conservation.
Given your background do you have any policies specific to supporting the next generation?
Yes. I want to increase support for vocational training, youth mental health, and programs that give our next generation real opportunity.
Why should I vote for you?
Because I live here, work here, and will fight for you—not a party. I bring real experience, local knowledge, and a commitment to making Mackellar better for everyone.
Anything else you'd like to add to your section?
My Additional Statements/Policies:
- Empowering Small Business Success: Cut red tape, lower taxes, and offer real grant support to local businesses.
- Enhance Healthcare Access: Return urgent care services to Mona Vale and reduce stress on Northern Beaches Hospital.
- Elevate Public Transport & Infrastructure: More frequent buses, safer roads, and expanded services to areas like Palm Beach.
- Deliver Cost-of-Living Relief: Reduce pressure on families and pensioners by tackling energy prices and food costs.
- Prioritise Community First: No party politics—just practical solutions.
Dr Sophie Scamps
Independent (Incumbent MP for Mackellar)
I’ve been part of our Northern Beaches community for more than 25 years as a doctor, mother, keen sportsperson and now as your independent MP for Mackellar.
My commitment to Mackellar comes from a great love of this community and a strong sense that our community deserves a genuine and strong voice in Canberra.
As a GP in Narrabeen, I’ve looked after individuals and families and treated our children’s flus and fevers. As an emergency doctor I’ve cared for people in crisis at Mona Vale Hospital.
As a mother who has raised three children here, I’ve sat beside you at school presentation nights, chatted to you on the sidelines of kids’ soccer matches and even founded a community not-for-profit organisation called Our Blue Dot – to ensure we’re protecting our planet for our children and the generations to come.
I’ve been part of the highs and lows and everyday lives of so many local people.
For the last three years as your MP, I’ve worked hard to address your concerns and to protect our wonderful way of life and environment here on the Beaches. I’ve spent my first term fighting for cost-of-living relief, greater support for business, stronger climate policy, and honest politics.
Locally I’ve had several major wins, including securing $250 million in federal funding to complete the upgrade of Mona Vale Rd. This is the first federal funding the project has ever received, and it was included in the Federal Budget handed down in March 2025. I’ve also helped to finally end the licence to drill for oil and gas off our coastline, and successfully advocated for a performance audit of the Northern Beaches Hospital, which earlier this month, recommended it be returned to public administration. The NSW is now in active negotiations to take the hospital back into public hands.
I also recently secured a commitment for an Urgent Care Clinic in Dee Why, and a new youth mental health hub in Brookvale is under construction.
I’ve taken fresh, common-sense ideas to Parliament: leading calls for a tax-free threshold for small business, an end to gambling and junk food advertising, and subsidies for household batteries, to make the most of our rooftop solar success and bring electricity prices down for everyone.
In Parliament, I’ve also had big wins negotiating significant legislative amendments. With my ‘Ending Jobs for Mates’ bill, I helped set a precedent by establishing gold standard appointments processes in Canberra and with a private member’s bill, I helped strengthen federal protection of our rivers and waterways from destructive gas fracking.
As a community independent, I represent our views, values and priorities in Parliament and I vote 100% of the time for the people of Mackellar. I’ve been very clear and consistent in my policy priorities, and they come directly from listening to the people of Mackellar. No matter what the make-up of the Parliament is – you can rest assured I will stay true to our values, and vote for you every time.
What have been your achievements for Mackellar during your first term as our MP?
I was so proud to be the first ever independent elected in the seat of Mackellar. I’ve worked hard for our community for 3 years and delivered on my promises and more.
Locally, my biggest win was securing $250 million from the Federal Government to partner with the NSW State government to finish the Mona Vale Road upgrade. This is the first ever federal money secured for the completion of the road and it was included in the 2025 Federal Budget. It is a state road and a state project, but I have worked nonstop to bring the federal government on board to partner with the State government to get the job finished.
This quarter of a billion dollars is not a loose election promise – it is in the bank.
I also secured a commitment from the federal government for a new, free Urgent Care Clinic in Dee Why, and a new Youth Mental Health Hub is currently under construction in Brookvale.
I also helped the community end its long battle against oil and gas drilling off our coastline. This offshore mining licence was known as PEP-11. Understanding how vehemently our community opposed mining off our coast, I advocated tirelessly in Canberra to ensure that that licence was ended, once and for all.
At the national level, my Ending Jobs for Mates campaign – the centrepiece of which was a Private Member’s Bill – succeeded in ensuring the first ever independent selection process for a federal tribunal (the new Administrative Review Tribunal). I also achieved an amendment to the environment laws – the only one in this term of parliament – to better protect our waterways from toxic gas fracking. And my amendment to the government’s safeguard mechanism (which requires big polluters to decrease their carbon emissions) was legislated. This ensures that any new or expanded fossil fuel projects cannot be opened unless they operate on a net zero emissions basis from the very beginning.
What are your plans or what do you want to achieve should you win a second term?
I have four key priorities in my second term.
My first is to continue pushing for a $20,000 tax-free threshold for small business to be legislated. The next is the introduction of a Commonwealth subsidy programme for residential batteries to bring down electricity prices for everyone. Thirdly, I will keep fighting to ensure the Northern Beaches Hospital is returned to public hands. And finally, following community consultation, I will be nominating the Pittwater area for a National Heritage listing. One thing I know wholeheartedly is that local residents do not want a tourist resort on Barrenjoey Headland or a Mantra style hotel that we see in Ettalong on the shores of Palm Beach.
Read on for more detail about all of those priorities.
Do you have a policy or plan to support small business?
Absolutely. I have made it my business to understand well the issues impacting small business.
One of my first acts as the MP for Mackellar was to conduct an electorate wide survey of small businesses to find out the key issues affecting them. Since then, I have been proactively door knocking businesses all across the electorate for 2 and half years - not only to hear from them, but to also make sure owners were aware of all the supports available to them.
We all see the ever-increasing number of empty shop fronts in our shopping strips. That is why I have been calling strongly for far greater support for small business, including a $20,000 tax-free threshold for them so an extra $5000 can be kept within the business to grow it. The hundreds of small businesses I’ve spoken to – from cafes to hairdressers to signwriters – say this would give their businesses an enormous boost.
I’m also calling for the instant asset write off to be increased and made permanent. And thirdly, I’m pushing to reduce bureaucratic red tape which is strangling businesses, including through the simplification of the award wages system.
Business owners also frequently tell me that energy costs are crippling their businesses – which is why I developed a policy for Commonwealth subsidies to be introduced for residential batteries which would ultimately lower electricity prices for everyone by discharging cheap stored electricity back to the grid in the evening peak.
Do you have a policy or plan to support families?
I’ve supported every measure the current government has introduced to ease the cost-of-living crisis being experienced by Mackellar families. From cheaper childcare to energy bill relief, to fairer tax cuts to cheaper medicines and GP visits. I will continue to support sensible policies that are in the best interests of my electorate.
In addition, I am pushing the federal government to introduce household battery subsidies, to compliment state initiatives. This would involve an extension of the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which currently provides subsidies for rooftop solar.
I’m proposing that the government provides a subsidy to households of up to one-third of the cost of an average sized battery, up to $5000. This not only helps the families who buy the batteries, but all energy consumers, by taking pressure off the grid during peak periods.
Do you have a policy or plan to support seniors?
As a doctor, I think the one of the very best ways I can support seniors is to keep fighting for high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, so people can age well.
This term in Parliament I have fought hard for the healthcare reforms the government has made. I co-founded the Parliamentary Friends of General Practice, and have worked hard for three years with the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, General Practice Registrars Australia and – most importantly – local GPs, to see the introduction of measures like the tripling of the bulk billing incentive.
Locally, I’ve secured a commitment for a new Urgent Care Clinic in Dee Why. This will take pressure of emergency departments at times when it’s hard to see a GP.
And I’ve advocated fiercely for our Northern Beaches Hospital to be brought back into public hands. Our wonderful nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and doctors are burnt out from consecutive staff cuts and a lack of resources. A foreign owned private equity firm should not be making a profit out of our acute public healthcare services to the detriment of our community and our health professionals.
At my urging, an independent performance audit was undertaken by the NSW Auditor General who recently handed down his report concluding that the NSW Government should bring the public section of the Northern Beaches Hospital back under public administration. The NSW Government has now established a taskforce to examine the best way to make that happen.
Do you have a policy or plan to support younger voters?
I have so many plans to support younger voters! There are so many things that could be done, that are not being done.
I find it heart-breaking to hear of so many Northern Beaches families being separated because young people simply cannot afford to live here anymore. Something must be done about the housing crisis. In this term, I have voted for all three of the government’s measures to ease the housing affordability crisis, because I believe in constructive, positive solutions that will make a difference. The Coalition voted against all three of those measures.
Earlier this year, I introduced a Wellbeing of Future Generations Private Member’s Bill, which will establish a framework for collaborative, long term policymaking in Australia. The bill is based on the experience in Wales where a Wellbeing of Future Generations Act was introduced in 2015.
The Bill will impose a duty on public bodies to work together based on the principle that the needs of the present be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The major parties have failed young people, and they have failed future generations. We need bold, long-term, visionary change to ensure the climate, our environment, the economy, and our social structures are in shape to face the challenges of the present and the future.
What are your policies to protect Australians from climate impacts?
I’ve worked tirelessly in this term of parliament to address climate change, and I’ve had significant success.
The government accepted my amendment to improve the safeguard mechanism, which is their key policy requiring big polluters to reduce their emissions. My amendment ensures that any new or expanded fossil fuel projects is net zero from commencement. With climate change being the greatest threat to our economy our health, and food and water security, it is important we act sensibly but decisively.
I also introduced a Private Member’s Bill to improve the ‘water trigger’ in our national environment laws. The water trigger now protects our precious rivers and aquifers from all types of toxic gas fracking. It was and remains the only improvement the government has made in this term to our broken environment laws.
Do you support a Net Zero target – and if so by when and how would that be achieved?
We must achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The planet depends on it. Our children and grandchildren depend on it.
The Northern Beaches of Sydney will be at the forefront of climate related risks including flooding, bushfires and coastal erosion. The last thing we want is more sea walls up and down our coastline and the loss of our beaches.
The energy sector is the key area that carbon pollution can be reduced. Already great progress has been made with nearly 50% of our electricity now coming from renewable sources. Australia leads the world for roof top solar with 4 million homes having it installed, and the Northern Beaches has one of the highest uptakes in the country.
The next step is to ensure we maximise the potential of all this roof top solar by subsidising the uptake of home and business batteries. Increasing the number of batteries will bring down energy prices for everyone as more and more cheap solar energy generated during the day will be stored and can then be discharged back to the grid during the evening peak. This locally generated electricity will have the added benefit of reducing the need for regional transmission lines.
What, specifically, are your plans to protect the environment of Mackellar and Pittwater in particular?
I am taking a comprehensive plan to protect Pittwater to this election.
My plan is to nominate Pittwater to the National Heritage List to protect and conserve the area’s unique heritage values and significance for future generations. Pittwater is a breath-taking natural wonder and an area of profound historical, natural and cultural significance for Australia that warrants protection on the National Heritage List.
The nomination aims to secure federal protection under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, ensuring any actions impacting Pittwater's heritage values require ministerial approval. Importantly, the plan is to protect the natural areas of Pittwater. One thing I know wholeheartedly is the residents of Pittwater do not want a tourist resort on Barrenjoey Headland or a Mantra style hotel on the shores of Palm Beach.
Nominations to the National Heritage List will open during the next term of Parliament. There will be a robust consultation process and I will work with the Northern Beaches community, cultural historians and conservationists on the exact scope of the nomination, to ensure Pittwater receives the national recognition and protection it deserves.
Given your background as a GP, do you have any policies or plans to improve the health of residents?
My key policy to improve the health of the residents of Mackellar is to bring the Northern Beaches Hospital back into public hands to ensure everyone on the Beaches has the safe and high quality care we deserve. Ongoing staff cuts have stretched the staff at the hospital to their limit, so it was pleasing to see the recommendation of the NSW Auditor General’s report that the hospital should be returned to public operation. I will continue to work closely with both the State and Federal governments as the State Government Task Force investigates Healthscope's compliance with its obligations under the contract.
As a GP, three years ago I was a well aware that primary health care was at breaking point with many practices considering closing their doors due to financial pressures following the Coalition’s six year freeze on Medicare rebates. I have been working nonstop with the College of GPs, the AMA and the Health Minister to ensure that all Australians can access a GP when they need to.
I’ve also been focussing on prevention of disease. Overweight and obesity are now the number 1 cause of chronic disease in Australia and so I introduced a Private Member’s Bill to restrict junk food advertising to children online and on TV and will continue pushing for this. The Parliamentary Health Committee Inquiry into Diabetes, backed up my bill and called for a junk food ad ban as one of its key recommendations.
I’m also calling for an end to gambling advertising, as gambling addiction and harm has become a serious public health issue.
As an Independent, I will never stop fighting for what is right for my community.
Why should I vote for you?
It's been an incredible privilege to represent our community in federal parliament. The reason I stepped up for the role was because for too long, as a safe seat, we had been ignored and taken for granted. I have been proud to change that and to always genuinely stand up for our views, values and needs here in Mackellar.
I’m proud of what we've achieved including:
- $250 million in new federal funding to finish Mona Vale Road
- A new, free Urgent Care Clinic in Dee Why
- A new Youth Mental Health Hub in Brookvale
- Legislation to end the jobs for mates’ culture in Canberra
- Stronger environment laws to protect our waterways from gas fracking
If re-elected, I will continue to fight for lower income taxes and greater support for small business, sensible action to reduce climate pollution, a healthier Mackellar, and for our gas exports to be properly taxed so all Australians - not just multinational companies - benefit from the sale of our resources.
I've voted 100% of the time for our community, not for a party agenda. My Liberal opponent can't offer that. Like any party politician, he's bound to vote with his party – not this community.
As your community independent representative, I’ll always stand up for the people of Mackellar and what is right, and I will continue to hold the major parties to account.
Jeffrey Quinn
Labor Party of Australia
I am Jeffrey Quinn, a lifelong resident of Mackellar with deep generational roots in our beautiful community. My family has lived here since before Federation, and I have proudly called Mackellar home for over 66 years. I grew up swimming and surfing at North Narrabeen and Bungan for a while, playing local sport with Narrabeen Youth Club, Avalon RSL and one season with the Narrabeen Tigers, and witnessing first-hand the incredible transformation of our coastal villages. My first job was picking up golf balls at the Narrabeen golf range.
I have devoted my career to education — teaching in public and private schools, leading the International Department at the Sydney Japanese School in Terrey Hills, and operating a local tutoring business for more than 28 years. Through this, I have supported generations of Mackellar’s young people to achieve their best. I have also volunteered in local sporting clubs and community initiatives, giving back to the region that has given so much to me.
I share with many in Mackellar our pride in our environment, our love for sport and community life, and our expectation that governments should invest in services, not cut them. That’s why I am standing for Mackellar: to give our community a strong, practical Labor voice that delivers real outcomes — not just promises.
Answers to Your Questions:
Do you have a policy or plan to support small business?
Yes. Labor will extend the $20,000 instant asset write-off, provided energy bill relief to over 1 million small businesses, invested in free TAFE to train workers, and cut taxes for every sole trader . Locally, I will advocate for continuing improvements to NBN access, business grants, and practical support for small operators across Mackellar.
Do you have a policy or plan to support families?
Absolutely. Labor has delivered cheaper child care, expanded Paid Parental Leave, invested in walk-in, free Medicare Urgent Care Clinics , and is making medicines cheaper. I will ensure federal support continues flowing into Mackellar's schools, health services, and affordable housing initiatives — easing cost-of-living pressures for local families.
Do you have a policy or plan to support seniors?
Yes. Labor has strengthened Medicare with more bulk billing, improved aged care standards including a historic wage rise for aged care staff, and capped PBS medicines for pensioners at $7.70. Locally, I will fight for better public health facilities, seniors’ community programs, and age-friendly infrastructure upgrades across Mackellar.
Do you have a policy or plan to support younger voters?
Definitely. Labor has delivered over 600,000 Free TAFE enrolments, increased Commonwealth rent assistance by 45 per cent and has an ambitious plan to build 1.2 million new homes by 2030. i. We will cut HECS debts by 20 per cent and we help more young people into homes of their own with just a 5% deposit, including building 100,000 homes just for first home buyers. Locally, I am committed to supporting expanded indoor sporting, cultural and creative facilities to ensure young people in Mackellar have spaces to thrive.
What are your policies to protect Australians from climate impacts?
Labor is investing $20 billion to Rewire the Nation with clean energy, legislated a 43 per cent emissions cut by 2030, expanded renewable industries, and is delivering cost-of-living climate action, like solar battery support. Unlike the Liberals, we are acting now, not burying our heads in the sand.
Do you support a Net Zero target – and if so by when and how would that be achieved?
Yes. Labor has legislated Net Zero by 2050, backed by strong interim targets. Our pathway is clear: renewable energy investment, building clean manufacturing industries, , and delivering reliable, cheaper, sustainable energy for all Australians.
What, specifically, are your plans to protect the environment of Mackellar and Pittwater in particular?
I will champion action for:
- Tertiary sewerage treatment upgrades for Warriewood and our lagoons;
- Stormwater system regenerative works and ecologically removing silt;
- Coastal protection and wetland restoration;
- Tree canopy preservation and urban cooling projects; and
- Local conservation projects with community groups and councils
Mackellar’s natural beauty must be protected for future generations.
Given your background in education and advocacy for young people, do you have any policies specific to supporting education and the next generation?
Yes. Labor’s Gonski reforms are restoring fairness to school funding, signing agreements with the states to make sure every public school is fully funded for the first time. Free TAFE, capped HECS indexation, and increased support for apprentices are helping students pursue education without crippling debt. I will advocate for local school upgrades, TAFE investments, and more pathways to jobs for Mackellar’s youth.
Additional Policy Statements:
- HECS Relief and Free TAFE: Labor will cut HECS debts by 20%, have already capped the HECS indexation rate, and will make Free TAFE permanent — making higher education and vocational training more affordable and accessible.
- Health Investment: Labor is delivering historic funding boosts with over $700 million for women's health, strengthening Medicare with a record $8.5 billion investment to make it easier to see a GP for free and more doctors, $1 billion to expand access for free mental health care, and $32 million to support men’s health initiatives including Movember and grassroots programs.
- Ambitious climate and environment action: Labor set the target of net zero emissions by 2050 into law. We have delivered 46% renewable energy and are on track to deliver 82% by 2030. Under Labor, we now protect 52% of our oceans as marine protected areas, more than any other country in the world. More affordable housing: Labor is investing $43 billion in housing – 8 times more than the Coalition invested over a whole decade. We’ve set an ambitious target of building 1.2 million homes, over the next five years and are helping people get into their first home with just a 5% deposit.
Why should I vote for you?
Because Mackellar deserves a real voice in government.
Labor is delivering cost-of-living relief, stronger healthcare, better education, renewable energy jobs, and real infrastructure investment.
It’s time for practical leadership with real outcomes, not promises that will never be realised from newcomers to this place.
Labor builds the future — and I will build a better future for Mackellar.