Anzac Day
I attended the service at Turramurra Memorial Park, commemorating the people who served Australia in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Personal stories were presented by families to the broader community. We were reminded that we should not take our freedoms for granted; and that our democracy, which is key to these freedoms, is worth defending. We were asked to recognise the sacrifices of those who served and the extended trauma to their families, sometimes spanning generations.
Lest we forget
Strategy launch | Saturday, June 1, 4pm in Gordon
I'm delighted that we're ready to share with you our pathway to win at the next election.
Come to the launch event at Gordon Library. Find out what you can do now to help get me elected and get Bradfield better representation in our federal parliament.
We are prioritising proven campaign tactics and are applying these across the various campaign phases. I am super excited, and I am now working full time on our campaign. I am sure you will be excited too once you hear the analysis underscoring our strategy, see our plan to win, and understand how you can be part of making it happen in 2024/25.
Use the Register link below to RSVP. Hope to see you there.
Bradfield Issue Groups (BIGs) | now until May 25
The Bradfield Issue Groups started last week and continue until the end of May.
I was really energised by meeting 10 local residents for a discussion on cost of living and housing. People shared their experiences and brainstormed what solutions may look like.
One of the participants commented “This small group conversation is the best way to engage with people.” People felt it is better than standing outside shops because there is time to talk, time to hear different perspectives and lovely to connect with other people in a comfortable space.
A few of my takeaways on housing so far:
- Attitudes to housing need to move from a 'right to invest' to a 'right to shelter.
- Many will be locked out of the property market if they don't have access to the Bank of Mum & Dad, even if they are educated and have employment.
- Residents care about their children. Where possible, older generations are financially supporting younger generations, sometimes at the cost of their own retirement plans.
- There are considerable doubts about whether increased housing supply in Bradfield will net more affordable homes (due to already high land prices)
- The winners from rezoning plans are most likely developers.
I am curious to hear what you think too. I want to hear from lots of residents as these BIGs are an exercise in deliberative democracy.
Use the Register link below to find a date and book in.
Campaign in the media
Niki Savva's piece appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday, May 2. There's an extract below and the full article is here (paywalled).
Take the NSW seat of Bradfield, once the bluest of blue ribbon Liberal seats. In 2022, Paul Fletcher suffered a 15.28 per cent drop in his primary vote after a challenge from unknown independent Nicolette Boele. Fletcher held on with a two-party preferred vote a smidgen over 54 per cent.
Back then, the community independents movement didn’t think Boele stood a chance so failed to pour resources into the seat. They are not making that mistake again, assuming Bradfield still exists after the NSW electoral redistribution.
Boele has set herself up as the shadow member for Bradfield. In mid-March, a uComms poll for Climate 200, obtained by this columnist, shows Boele on 16.3 per cent while Fletcher’s primary vote was languishing around 36 per cent, almost 10 per cent below that of 2022. After preferences, and without the benefit of a full-on campaign, Boele wins with 53 per cent to Fletcher’s 47 per cent.
