Who’s Who in Vaucluse: Get to know your state candidates

By LAUREN FROST

Seven candidates are striving for the traditionally conservative Vaucluse seat in the upcoming state election.

Vaucluse has never been held by a candidate that hasn’t been associated with the Liberal Party or its predecessors. It is currently held by Liberal MP Gabrielle Upton and has been since 2011, however Upton will not be running for re-election.

The electorate of Vaucluse spans Watsons Bay, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Dover Heights, North Bondi, Bondi Beach, Bellevue Hill, Point Piper, Double Bay, Darling Point, Woollahra, Edgecliff and some of Bondi.

Here’s a brief overview of each of the seven candidates running in Vaucluse:

Edward Cameron (Animal Justice Party)

Edward Cameron has a passion for ethical and sustainable living, striving to promote veganism and social good. Cameron has been a vegan for over 11 years now and has channelled his software tech experience into developing a vegan app called Aroundish.

Cameron is focused on freeing hens from battery cages and ending factory farming.

He told City Hub that this will benefit the community and the environment by “reducing people’s risk of various diseases”, “decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution”, and “ending the cruel and inhumane treatment” endured by hens in battery cages.

Cameron also aims to protect native forests, beaches, parks, and open spaces within the community for future generations as well as end land clearing. He hopes to reach a target of 100% renewable energy by 2030 and wishes to support farmers in the transition to sustainable agriculture.

Dominic WY Kanak (Greens)

Proud First Nations man and community activist Dominic WY Kanak wishes to bring his passion for justice for all peoples and the planet to parliament. Kanak currently services on the Bondi ward of the Waverley Council.

“The focus of my campaign is on increasing action on climate change and on fixing the state’s broken planning laws”, Kanak told City Hub.

“It’s about taking a First Nation’s approach of caring for Country and People on all the important issues that we face in NSW and Australia.”

For Vaucluse, Kanak wishes to return planning powers to the community.

“Planning laws must ensure that local planning rules are followed, decision-making is accountable, and the certification of building works is trustworthy. We will end unfair no-grounds evictions, cut rents, and make renting safe and secure.”

Kanak also hopes to stop the expansion of coal and gas and adopt renewable energy at a faster pace. He says this will lead to cheaper power bills and a safer future for our children, benefitting the community overall.

Additionally, the Greens wish “to make public transport free and to tackle the corrupting influence of pokies and online gambling”.

Margaret Merten (Labor)

Margaret Merten believes that “it’s time for a fresh start for Vaucluse and NSW”.

Dissatisfied with the 12-year hold the Liberal government has had in Vaucluse, Merten has called out the flawed privatised bus service that has led to a large increase in people driving, the threat of Sydney water being sold off, the increasing debt despite the selling of tens of billions of dollars’ worth of public assets, and the low rate of economic growth in NSW.

Additionally, Merten told City Hub that, “Planning and development in NSW is broken. The NSW Labor Party will seek more community involvement to achieve better outcomes with local councils.”

“We will protect our precious biodiversity across the State with our strong plans to save our koalas and their habitat and make sure the South Head and Strickland House master plans reflect community needs.”

“These are the issues the Vaucluse community have told me they care about.”

Merten also wishes to end the privatisation of public assets in order to reduce the cost of living, and added that “the NSW Labor Party will build a better health and education system, including the need for a second public high school and better patient/staff ratios in our hospitals.”

Merten, a Bondi local, is familiar with the concerns of the local community through her position as the Co-Convenor of the Bondi Beach Precinct Committee.

“If I’m elected to represent Vaucluse, I will listen to the community and campaign on their issues.”

Kellie Sloane (Liberal)

Kellie Sloane, a long-time journalist with 20 years’ experience, is eager to bring her passion for community service to the Vaucluse seat, maintaining the Liberal party’s stronghold over the position.

Sloane told City Hub that her main focus this state election is on preserving the Vaucluse community and preventing overdevelopment.

“Vaucluse has a unique community and character, and locals are really concerned about protecting and preserving that for future generations.”

“I have been a strong and consistent voice for protecting our community against inappropriate development,” Sloane said.

Additionally, she notes that the community has expressed concerns over the rising cost of living and hopes to implement measures alongside the Perrottet Government’s long term economic plan that will offer support.

Sloane speaks highly of one such measure.

“I am really excited about the Premier’s announcement of a Kids Future Fund. It appeals to my sense of opportunity – giving every child the chance to have an education or a leg up in the property market, no matter their circumstances.”

Karen Freyer (Independent)

Karen Freyer has told City Hub that she identifies as a “community independent, which means that, unlike the major parties, all my ideas come from the residents, and that is what I will really be focusing on”.

Born and raised in the eastern suburbs, Freyer plans to take her passion for advocacy from her experience as a successful public interest journalist, political campaign manager, and social entrepreneur to parliament.

On her website, Freyer writes, “through it all, I’ve always felt it my duty to help people who are fighting for recognition.”

“The electorate of Vaucluse is one of the safest Liberal seats in the state, and one of the problems with living in a safe seat is you tend to be ignored,” Freyer said.

Her main focus going into the election is climate action and parliament integrity.

Additionally, Freyer calls for more transparency in development planning processes for Vaucluse and sites the increased need for better infrastructure such as public transport, hospital access, recreational space, and schools amidst population density increases.

Freyer also believes there is a severe lack of affordable housing in Vaucluse and feels that there should be incentives for developers to create affordable housing “to ensure that young people and key workers can afford to live here”.

Gail Stevens (Liberal Democrats)

Liberal Democrat candidate Gail Steven notes on her online profile that her “biggest goal is to form a relationship with my constituents through regular forums and meetings to discover your needs and get them actioned as soon as possible.”

On Stevens’ agenda this state election are improvements to local schools, transport and health services in Vaucluse. Stevens believes that Vaucluse demographics are constantly shifting, and that the infrastructure should reflect the growing needs of the community.

Stevens is a successful speaker, mentor and coach within the financial services industry in Australia.

Kay Dunne (Sustainable Australia Party)

Bondi resident and Sustainable Australia Party candidate Kay Dunne hopes to bring her long-term commitment to the natural and built environments of the community to the traditionally Liberal Vaucluse seat this state election.

Dunne’s educational background spans across the sciences, social sciences, humanities and creative arts fields; a broad range that she believes places her in a good position to relate to the diverse community of Vaucluse.

Moreover, Dunne has a unique understanding of community needs from her varied work in the NSW public service sector in both human resources and corporate policy and strategy, as well as her previous role as a scientific officer in the public hospital system, and a high school teacher.

Dunne has a special interest in providing quality services to seniors. Her Sustainable Australia Party profile notes that “she supports positive ageing and wants to see opportunities for work and valued contributions continue throughout everyone’s entire life”.