Key teal independent’s seat abolished
Written by admin on September 12, 2024
Independent MP Kylea Tink is mulling her future after the country’s electoral authority abolished her seat of North Sydney.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) announced on Thursday electorate of North Sydney would no longer exist, with its 100,000 voters being absorbed into the marginal Labor seat of Bennelong, the Liberal seat of Bradfield and independent-held Warringah at next federal election.
Ms Tink had campaigned against abolishing North Sydney, one of the seats that had existed since Federation.
“Today’s decision by the AEC confirming the electorate of North Sydney is to be abolished is deeply disappointing,” she told reporters.
“Despite today’s announcement I feel like I have a lot more to give to Australian politics.”
Ms Tink said she was weighing up her options and would “have more to say” about her political future later.
But she did appear to rule out running against fellow crossbench MP Zali Steggall in the nearby seat of Warringah.
“It’s my intention to continue to contribute positively to that crossbench and not cannibalise it,” Ms Tink said.
The independent MP was part of the so-called teal wave that unseated several moderate Liberals across the country in the 2022 federal election.
Her election, along with other independents, created the largest-ever crossbench, and was broadly seen as reflective of moderate Australians prioritising action on climate change, with analysts cautioning both major parties to take stock.
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Following the redistribution, the parliament has been reduced from 151 seats to 150.
NSW loses one seat to have 46 electorates, Victoria also loses the Labor-held seat of Higgins for a total of 38, while Western Australia picks up the new seat of Bullwinkel, taking the battlefield state to 16 seats.
The Albanese government holds a majority of 78 seats currently, with the Liberal/Nationals coalition on 55, Greens with four MPs and a crossbench of 14.
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