The Guardian: 30 Sept 2022
Stokes, a senior member of Dominic Perrottet’s cabinet, said on Friday it was time to “make room for a different perspective and a new voice”. “We now need a contest to elect a new representative to serve the Pittwater community in the parliament of NSW,” he said.
Pittwater is one of a handful of traditionally blue-ribbon Sydney seats that may be targeted at the election by environment-focused independents, who are organising following the success of the so-called “teal” candidates at the 2022 federal election.
The Independent Pittwater campaign been encouraging locals to consider running in the seat, with nominations to close in late October.
Campaign spokesperson Rebecca Clarke said people were ready for a different style of leadership and that they wanted to see politicians work together across party lines.
“While minister Stokes was popular, the Liberal National Coalition he is a part of no longer enjoys the same popular support,” she said.
“As a long standing safe Liberal seat, Pittwater has been taken for granted by NSW Liberal and Labor governments.”