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flected in the tenor of the campaigns against the incumbents, which have mostly focused on climate issues and integrity.

seat, how positive the response to our Labor campaign has been. Many people have come up to me and said how glad they are that I am running.”

Griffin added: “I think we are building on the strong performance of Catherine Renshaw in the Federal Election and a comprehensive and thoughtful policy offering that resonates with people.”

The Labor candidate said she had been shocked by the number of people who would have been considered quite comfortable a few years ago, who are struggling with renting. “There is a palpable fear of eviction. Labor’s rental package will outlaw no grounds eviction and establish a rental commission to advocate for renters to help alleviate the immediate fears and our program to increase the supply of affordable housing will assist in the longer term,” she said.

Meanwhile, the candidates also took the opportunity to clear up what they saw as misconceptions about their policy stances.

James said: “There’s been much misinformation about the Warringah Freeway Upgrade. This is an investment that will improve our daily lives for the better. There’s some disruption associated with any major project, but it is temporary and will ensure a net positive return to our community.”

He said that the freeway at Cammeray is the widest and busiest piece of road in Australia and the upgrade will detangle the lanes and reduce the merge points that cause bottlenecks and slow traffic flow. “It will deliver a continuous bus lane, bike lane, pedestrian lane and improved connections. I know there’s been impact at Cammeray Park and I’ve worked hard representing our concerns and achieving real improvements and acceleration to the rehabilitation of the site. The temporary construction site is just that –temporary. 1.8ha will be returned to us as public, open green space, the future of which will be consulted upon widely in our community. Trees are being replanted 2 for 1 and the Cammeray Golf Course is on track to reopen in the coming weeks, he said.

Labor’s Griffin also brought up the tunnels project, stating: “Labor’s position is that the Beaches Link will not go ahead, and we will preserve Flat Rock Gully. Secondly that the Western Harbor Tunnel will go ahead considering that contracts have been signed and work has begun. Where possible, changes will be made to improve the project within the constraints of the contracts.”

Griffin said there was disinformation and conspiracy theories circulated in local social media that Labor was complicit in the signing of the contracts for the Western Harbour Tunnel. “This is ludicrous. Labor chaired an upper house inquiry that recommended no contracts be signed before the election. The reality is, that no candidate can (guarantee changes) as we don’t know what the government committed the people of NSW to,” she said.

Penn told the Sun she would like to clarify she is not a “Teal’ candidate. “The teal candidates are running for election the first time after being identified as clean skins in their community and are being funded by Climate 200,” she said.

“My campaign is old-school, grass roots, on the ground and supported by volunteers - more along that of Ted Mack, the grandfather of the Independent movement. Like me, Ted Mack started his time in politics standing up against local issues. From there he went into local, then state then federal politics - a well known story, although I have no ambitions beyond the electorate of Willoughby.”

Penn also noted that she had effectively represented the community in the four month gap between the departure of former member Gladys Berejiklian and the by-election to replace her. “I have spoken in Parliament, in budget estimates, in the media and at local forums representing the views of my community - I am truly ready to hit the ground running,” she said.