Jacqui Scruby Confirms Candidature for october 2024 Pittwater By-election: further Nominations by others to be confirmed
Jacqui Scruby, Independent, has announced she will run in the Pittwater by-election in October, via a post on X;
Labor Party candidate in 2023, Jeffrey Quinn - Labor for Pittwater, who secured $50,000 of funding to support MoWaNa’s service that same year even without winning the seat, 2023 Greens candidate Hilary Green, and 2023 Sustainable Australia's candidate Craig Law, have not as yet declared whether they will stand again or not.''Today I’m announcing I will run as an Independent in the upcoming Pittwater by-election. I’m running in this by-election to raise the bar and offer Pittwater representation with integrity.
The people of Pittwater deserve better.
''My promise to Pittwater is that honesty, fairness and integrity will be at the heart of everything I do. That’s the first step.
We need to get back to basics: fix Mona Vale Rd, properly fund our local schools, support small businesses, and retain Pittwater’s unique character.
We deserve someone who is focused on our community and our concerns – concerns like the cost of raising a family today, running a business, and protecting our beautiful corner of the world.
As an Independent I’ll have a seat at the table to tackle these issues, rather than being ineffective from opposition.
It’s going to take an almighty effort to win this one. Thanks to everyone who has sent messages of support this week - I will see you on the campaign trail.'' - Jacqui Scruby, September 5, 2024 7am
Liberal Candidates for Seat of Pittwater in 2024 by-election: 4 at this stage
Former Northern Beaches Council deputy mayor and Manly ward councillor Georgia Ryburn, former Northern Beaches Council councillor Michael Gencher and Claire Longley, daughter of former Pittwater MP Jim Longley, and Natasha Maclaren-Jones, MLC in the New South Wales Legislative Council (2011–present) have all expressed interest in standing for the seat ahead of a preselection vote next Wednesday, September 11.
2024 Pittwater State by-election: Saturday, 19 October 2024
The Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Greg Piper MP, announced on Monday, 2 September 2024 that a by-election will be held for the electoral district of Pittwater.
The Speaker has advised the Acting Electoral Commissioner for NSW of his intention to issue the writ for the by-election on Friday, 27 September 2024 and that the particulars of the writ will be as follows:
Date of the writ: Friday, 27 September 2024
Day nominations open: Friday, 27 September 2024
Day on which nominations close: Thursday, 3 October 2024
Early voting opens: Saturday, 12 October 2024
Election day: Saturday, 19 October 2024
Return of the writ: Friday, 8 November 2024
Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Greg Piper MP, announced the by-election following the receipt of a resignation letter from Rory Amon.
“Subsequent upon receipt of the resignation of Rory Amon, I announce that a by-election for the vacant seat of Pittwater will be held on Saturday 19 October 2024,” Mr Piper said.
“Consequent to advice received from the NSW Electoral Commission and consultation with relevant stakeholders, I wrote to the Acting Electoral Commissioner Dr Matt Phillips advising him of my intention to issue the writ on 27 September 2024 for a by-election to be held on Saturday 19 October 2024 in the seat of Pittwater.
“This by-election will take place on the same day as the by-elections in the vacant seats of Hornsby and Epping.” Mr Piper said.
The NSW Electoral Commission advises Nominations for the Pittwater State by-election must be lodged from Friday, 27 September 2024 to 12 noon Thursday, 3 October 2024. Late nominations will not be accepted.
The NSW Liberals are at the centre of the third by-election for local seats since the 2023 state election after the forced resignation of Rory Amon, who has been named in 10 alleged child assault charges brought by the NSW Police.
See: Rory Amon charged with 10 alleged child sex offences - resigns from Office of MP for Pittwater
NSW Liberals to be 'managed' by Federal Division going into 2025 Federal Election
Late on Tuesday September 3 a statement was issued by the federal executive of the Australian Liberal Party that it has requested three senior Liberals be appointed administrators for the state branch for the next 10 months— former Victorian state treasurer Alan Stockdale, former NSW MP Rob Stokes, and former Howard government minister Richard Alston. Under the proposal, the three men would run the party for 10 months.
However Mr Stokes, a former NSW Liberal frontbencher, has turned down the request.
"I'm very humbled to be asked, but I'm not in a position to accept," Mr Stokes has told the ABC.
The Statement from the Federal Secretariat of the Liberal Party of Australia of September 3, 2024 reads;
''The Federal Executive of the Liberal Party has requested that the New South Wales Division appoint three eminent Australians as a committee of management to replace its State Executive.
This follows a report given to the Federal Executive by Mr Brian Loughnane AO relating to the New South Wales Division’s failure to nominate candidates for local government elections and the preparedness of the Division to fight the upcoming federal election.
The Federal Executive has recommended a committee of the Hon Alan Stockdale AO, the Hon Rob Stokes, and the Hon Richard Alston AO be appointed for a period of 10 months.
The New South Wales Division has been asked to comply with this request by next Thursday.''
Liberal party state division level approved candidates in local government elections ran in two August reports.
However, the panel quickly came under fire from within the party; Stockdale and Alston were criticised for being from outside NSW, too old and part of an alleged right-wing seizing of a division. Added to this, the party that has been told it has a “women problem” has again excluded women from this panel, despite the foundations of this party stemming from the support of women across the country. Mr. Stokes being unavailable allows that to be rectified.
After the nominations disaster, Federal opposition leader Mr. Dutton is reported to have been 'alarmed'. A delve into what happened was commissioned and also the state of preparations for the federal election. Completed by former federal director Brian Loughnane, it highlighted the rampant factionalism that has bedevilled the NSW division for decades.
Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra, states; 'In the NSW Liberals, moderates and conservatives carve up pre-selections and often fight each other more bitterly than they do the party’s political opponents.'
NSW Liberal Party sources have said the federal executive never formally asked Mr Stokes, but that Mr Speakman had sounded him out about taking up such a role and put his name forward on that basis. Mr Stokes's refusal means another candidate will need to be found, potentially with the cooperation of the NSW division.
The former MP for Pittwater ruled out standing for the seat again earlier this week, stating 'it's time for someone else to have a go', and recommended former Deputy Mayor of the local council, and former Manly ward councillor Georgia Ryburn, be the next Liberal Candidate for the state seat.
The Hon. Rob Stokes has been busy since leaving public office.
On March 25 2024 Macquarie University announced it had appointed former senior NSW Minister, the Hon. Dr Rob Stokes, to the Macquarie Law School as Industry Professor, Environment and Sustainability, to drive world-leading research in sustainable urban development.
''Working directly with scholars from the Macquarie Law School, Faculty of Arts and the wider University, Professor Stokes will identify strategic collaborations with government and industry partners to deliver change across sustainable urban development by fostering net-zero cities, advancing social justice and promoting sustainable urban environments.'' Macquarie stated
On May 2 2024 the University of Technology Sydney announced their Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building is delighted to bestow an Honorary Doctorate of Design on the Hon. Rob Stokes.
''During his time in politics, Rob led the development of the NSW Renewable Energy Action Plan; coordinated land use across the state to support sustainable development; and drove the creation of the Tech Central innovation precinct in downtown Sydney, a key component of the largest government-led urban renewal program in NSW to date. He also delivered a series of major reforms, including the creation of the Greater Sydney Commission, passing the Coastal Zone Management Act 2016 and establishing the state’s first Urban Design Policy.'' UTS stated
Rob has continued working towards the creation of a more vibrant, sustainable and resilient Sydney since 2023. He is currently the Chair of the Faith Housing Alliance and a member of the Federal Government’s Urban Policy Forum advisory committee, which consults on national urban policy issues in areas such as environmental planning; sustainable development; affordable housing; climate change adaptation; and urban governance, planning and design.
This work brings him into frequent contact with UTS and its researchers, both within and beyond the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, who share his passion for reimagining the cities of the future. He has also been a regular attendee, panellist and speaker at UTS events and has sat alongside UTS experts at high-profile public forums including the Vivid Sydney Ideas Exchange and the Sydney is Beautiful awards and exhibition.
'' Rob shares the UTS vision of a more sustainable future, not only for Sydney but for all urban spaces across Australia. We have been privileged to engage with him in both his political and post-political careers. '' – Professor Mark Evans, Dean, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building stated.
''Rob is a longstanding champion of the education sector. During his time as the Minister for Education, he led the creation of School Infrastructure NSW, which invested heavily in NSW schools and delivered the largest school building program in the state’s history. He also commissioned a review of NSW education curriculum — the first in 30 years — to ensure that students continue to benefit from, and engage with, the school-based learning experience.
Rob’s commitment to better education outcomes for all people was evidenced through his early and significant support of the development of the UTS Indigenous Residential College (now National First Nations College), the first facility of its kind in Australia. ''
“Rob’s passionate advocacy for the National First Nations College resulted in a NSW State Government commitment to help bring this ground-breaking project to life,” says Professor Evans.
UTS honorary doctorates are awarded to people who make an outstanding contribution to a field or profession. As a 2024 recipient, Rob joins a long list of UTS Honorary Doctorate recipients, including Dr Paul Scully-Power AM (Honorary Doctor of Technology, 2019), Mr David Thodey AO (Honorary Doctor of Business, 2018), Dr Gene Sherman (Honorary Doctor of Design, 2017) and Ms Jenny Brockie (Honorary Doctor of Letters, 2017).
More soon.
NB: Jacqui Scruby registered for 2027 NSW State Election on 7/09/2023.