In many cases,the links were beyond ideological. Scruby was campaign manager for federal MP for Mackellar Dr Sophie Scamps,who was spotted at northern beaches booths on Saturday,and was with Regan at the Manly Warringah Football Association as the votes rolled in.
Conway and Davidson were selected by the North Sydney Independents group which sent former McGrath Foundation CEO Kylea Tink to Canberra. Hackman’s campaign in Manly,too,attracted former Scamps and Warringah MP Zali Steggall volunteers.
The band played Isn’t She Lovely as Scruby arrived at her election night function at North Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club,decorated in teal streamers and bunting by her children and their friends before the event kicked off.
“I would love to have a result tonight,but I know that might be unrealistic,” she said,acknowledging the seat’s previous 22 per cent margin was significant.
Even months out from the polls,theteal challengers’ greatest concern was the absence of compulsory preferential voting in NSW state elections.
Unlike in federal elections,where voters must number every box,in NSW a voter may simply vote one,a fact which became the focus of contentious signs placed at voting booths last week.
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Scruby’s campaign filed a complaint against Pittwater Liberal Amon over signs directing voters that they could just vote one,whichthey alleged appeared too “official” to be campaign signage. Meanwhile,the Liberals complained teal signs which urged voters to not “risk a wasted vote” and number every box,implied preferences were mandatory.
In the end,the NSW Electoral Commission – which had approved all signs in advance,in line with election rules – found no wrongdoing and both complaints were dismissed.
Scruby said polling day was more cordial. “I think today everyone was just getting on with it,” she said.
Coupled with a significantly lower spending cap – in a state election,each candidate has a spending cap of $198,700,whileAllegra Spender’s teal campaign for the federal seat of Wentworth exceeded $2 million – the state election was always going to be a harder battleground for the teals.
After endorsing 23 candidates at the 2022 federal election,11 of whom were elected,Climate 200 supported four unsuccessful candidates at the Victorian state election last November.
The lobby group’s founder,Holmes a Court,who was spotted at booths in Lane Cove and North Shore,and its executive director Byron Fay,spent Saturday evening on a tour of teal parties across the north shore and beaches.
Holmes a Court said the fact that teal candidates were still in play was a testament to the strength of the movement,given the structural advantages of major parties.
“It’s so exciting to see these formerly safe seats go marginal;a real testament to this community-centric democratic movement,” he said.
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Speaking during the final minutes of polling at Greenwich Public School,Davidson said she believed Lane Cove had won whatever the result.
The local Liberal member,Planning Minister Anthony Roberts,enlisted some big names over the past week:former premier Mike Baird,Treasurer Matt Kean,and,on Saturday,his friend mining magnate Gina Rinehart travelled across the electorate in a white SUV handing out meat pies to his campaigners.