Pittwater Life March 2023 Issue

News
McTaggart on Independents days
The only Independent to win the seat of
He noted the media landscape had
Pittwater Alex McTaggart believes the
changed over the past 16 years.
chances of success for Independent for
Pittwater candidate Jacqui Scruby at the
NSW State Election this month hinge on
how hungry the evolved local community’s
appetite is for change.
He also questions whether issues external
to the area will trigger the level of support
generated for Mackellar MP Dr Sophie
Scamps at the 2022 Federal Election.
Pittwater Life asked Mr McTaggart, who
was elected to NSW Parliament in 2005
while Mayor of Pittwater Council, for
his observations about the differences
between independent campaigns then and
“Social media was non-existent – The
Manly Daily was in all houses five days a
week, with a Letters page that made everyone’s
views clear.”
He said his observation of community
today was that residents generally felt
sanitised.
“[The people] have moved to the left,
not in ideology but through frustration
because they are being given lip service by
a Council, dependent on grants, that does
not stick up for its Community.”
He added that Independents in the past
had served Council “apprenticeships” and
now.
got to know “where every drain, footpath,
REFLECTION: Alex McTaggart with Liberal
In determining which way the community
candidate for the NSW Election Rory Amon. vocal resident, community contributor and
might vote, Mr McTaggart said it was
important to reflect on the political and
social climate that existed in the lead-up
to his election in 2005 – and look at those
factors as they apply today.
“Labor was in government with a large
majority and not likely to lose at the 2007
election,” he said.
“Labor was planning to close Mona Vale
Hospital with the support of the Manly
Independent (Dr Peter Macdonald), with the
other local Liberals mute.
station. And made a dud deal over Currawong.”
Mr McTaggart noted the voice of the local
community back then was strong, with
eight community groups that met regularly;
each had a large membership base
and a newsletter, with their main targets of
discussion local or Council issues.
“My recollection of the only State issues
that impacted 2000 to 2007 were the hospital,
overdevelopment and Council needing
president of the sporting association was”.
“The Independent movement right at
this moment is a federal independent
movement, not a local movement,” he said.
Mr McTaggart has publicly endorsed
Liberal candidate Rory Amon for the upcoming
poll; he worked alongside Mr Amon
on Northern Beaches Council from 2017 to
2022.
“We need somebody who knows the area,
the community groups, the people, that’s
what you need. I absolutely endorse Rory
“Labor had sold the Avalon Ambulance grants for sports fields and clubs,” he said. Amon.”
– Nigel Wall
PHOTO: Northern Beaches Advocate
12 MARCH 2023
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