The battle for Balmain heats up as NSW election draws closer

By TILEAH DOBSON

In less than two months residents in New South Wales will be heading to the polls to vote in the state election. And according to the latest YouPoll published in the Sunday Telegraph, the NSW Coalition are trailing behind Labor.

The poll highlights that if the vote was held today, Labor would defeat the Coalition in both first preference and two-party preferred standing.

Along with support for current NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has dropped as 44% has stated their preference for the premier over Labor leader Chris Minns.

Despite the polls being positive in Labor’s favour, Minns hasn’t ruled out the fact that many voters are still undecided.

“I don’t want anyone in NSW to think we’re taking anything for granted,” Minns told reporters last Sunday.

“We’ve got a huge task ahead of us. We’re hungry but we’re humble as well about our prospects.”

One of Labor’s tasks is grabbing one of the coveted seats in Sydney’s Inner West- Balmain.

The seat of Balmain is up for grabs in the incoming New South Wales state election after its current MP, Jamie Parker announced his desire to leave last year.

For the first time since Labor lost the seat back in 2011, the seat is within reach and the possibility to turn it from green to red is high. The current Labor candidate for the seat of Balmain is Philippa Scott.

Kobi Shetty for the Greens

The candidate going up against Scott is Kobi Shetty from the Greens, who the outgoing Parker has assured is the perfect replacement for him.

“A lot of people across the electorate have asked me how I feel about handing the reins over to someone else – well knowing what an outstanding candidate we have in Kobi – I am confident that the seat of Balmain, with Kobi as its new local Greens MP, is in really safe hands,” Parker said.

Shetty currently serves on the Balmain ward of the Inner West Council.

City Hub spoke with Shetty who expressed excitement at the chance of running and wanting to continue the “focus on community and the environment”.

“Speaking to the people that live in this electorate, it’s clear that people want urgent climate action, they want to see an end to corrupting influences in NSW politics, and that something needs to be done to ease cost of living pressures,” Shetty told City Hub.

“That means pushing for investment in public and social housing for the 51,000 people in NSW on the social housing waitlist, and working to protect renters from dodgy landlords.”

“I’ll be focusing on those issues, as well as keeping a close eye on the infrastructure projects happening locally to make sure we get the best outcomes for the people who live here.”

Shetty’s stand-out and what she believes make her different from other candidates is that “the Greens don’t take corporate donations”.

“It means I can always put the needs of the community and the environment first. I’m different because I can stand up and hold the government to account,” she said.

Shetty also expressed gratitude to those who have helped support her campaign, from the volunteers to her six-year-old daughter.

“It has been fantastic being out in the community talking to people. It’s probably the thing I enjoy the most. So far, the response has been really positive.”

“I really hope that it’s my values that resonate with people. I feel lucky every day that I get to call this place home, and I want to make sure this community continues to be represented with integrity and compassion.”

But the person Shetty gives thanks to the most is the outgoing MP, Jamie Parker.

“Just a huge thank you for his incredible commitment to our community over 25 years and for really showing people what Greens can achieve in parliament. We’ve been lucky to have him as our MP, and I hope I will have the privilege of continuing the wonderful work he’s started.”

Philippa Scott takes the lead for Labor

Philippa Scott, who currently serves on the Inner West Council, says she’s committed to social justice, and has used her background in law to help the non-for-profit and public sector by providing legal and management advice.

Scott’s campaign so far focuses on returning manufacturing of ferries back to Australia and having Balmain put “back in government”.

“The people of Balmain deserve to be represented by somebody who shares their values but can actually do something about them,” Scott said to reporters back in October 2022.

City Hub reached out to Scott’s office for comment but did not receive one in time.