Steggall on track to hold Warringah, overcoming Deves challenge

Steggall on track to hold Warringah, overcoming Deves challenge

05/21/2022

Federal election 2022

Early figures showed independent Zali Steggall was on track to hold her northern beaches seat of Warringah, fending off a challenge from Liberal candidate Katherine Deves, who shot to national attention as a result of her controversial views of trans people.

Steggall captured Warringah from former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott at the 2019 federal election, in a marker of the appeal of the teal movement, and this year’s contest retained some of the acrimony of that fight.

Independent candidate for Warringah Zali Steggall greeting voters in Balgowlah on Saturday. Credit:Louise Kennerley

With just under 12 per cent of the vote counted at 7.30pm, Steggall had gained a 4.71 per cent swing towards her.

Liberal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has said there were “clear mistakes” and “process breakdowns” in the pre-selection of Liberal Warringah candidate Katherine Deves.

Speaking after the ABC declared the seat for independent Zali Steggall, Birmingham said that the Liberals had “paid a price in Warringah”.

“There are lessons to be learnt, as I’ve indicated, and I expect wherever we go, hopefully still into government, we have to heed those messages.”

Campaigning in Warringah was terse at times, with exchanges between campaigners that resulted in police being called at least once, but the voters that The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age spoke to were more concerned with issues like climate change.

“Times are changing,” said 38-year-old small businessman James Caputo after voting on Saturday morning. “There’s a new generation looking forward for which climate change is a big factor.”

Steggall denied on Saturday that her supporters had pulled down Deves signs ahead of polling day as photos emerged of Liberal signage discarded on the ground.

A spokesman for Deves’ campaign quoted the Latin legal saying “res ipsa loquitur” which means “the thing speaks for itself” when asked who was responsible. He said in the last election Steggall’s supporters were “infamously tearing down our materials”.

But Steggall said her supporters were not responsible. “Everyone in my team signs to three P’s: to be polite, positive and prepared.” Steggall said. “There’s always going to be … those kind of allegations, but no, I’m very confident that it’s got nothing to do with my team.”

At the Deves function, where the media were sequestered from the main crowd, an appearance of Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court and another by Zali Steggall on an election broadcast had supporters riled up. Holmes a Court’s spruiking of Climate 200’s successes and transparency drew guffaws while some swore at his claims. Tony Abbott was in attendance.

Steggall was greeted like a small scale rock star when she cast her vote earlier in the day at Balgowlah North Public School, which her children once attended. Luci Volpe, 6, was thrilled to meet the local member whose electric bus he adores. Its display reads “Next stop, Zali” though she is hoping her next stop will be a return to Canberra with a boosted crop of teal independents.

“I have every finger and toe crossed to have a lot more independents down there,” Steggall said.

Speaking on Saturday morning, the former Olympic athlete downplayed predictions Deves would receive a low vote because of her controversial remarks about trans people, saying many voters would vote for a party, not a person.

Liberal candidate Katherine Deves casts her vote at St Kieran’s Catholic Church Hall in Manly Vale . Credit:Louise Kennerley

Deves voted at St Kieran’s Catholic Church in Manly Vale, which lacked a sausage sizzle, and insisted she had a chance of winning, despite Steggall holding the seat on a margin of just over 7 per cent. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t [think I had a chance],” she said, thanking her campaigners and family.

Deves walked away in silence, holding her daughters’ hands, when asked whether her incendiary views of trans people, posted on social media sites, risked dragging down the vote of other Liberal candidates.

“Just keep walking,” a supporter advised her as she left.

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