While the results of the 2024 Pittwater State by-election won’t be official until early November, credible sources are calling Teal Independent, Jacqui Scruby, as the winner as she takes a significant lead.
It is only the second time in history that the Northern Beaches electorate has turned its back on the Liberal Party.
The first was in 2005 with Independent candidate Alex McTaggart, the then-Mayor of Pittwater). As of the evening of Saturday 19 October, with 100 per cent of formal votes counted, Scruby was in the lead with 53.69 per cent, while Liberal candidate, Georgia Ryburn trailed behind at 42.44 per cent (and Libertarian candidate Doug Rennie at 3.88 per cent). Neither Greens nor Labor put forward a candidate for this by-election.

“I’ve been here before, so I’m not taking anything for granted until the official declaration,” Ms Scruby told Manly Observer.
“I want to be humble, but honestly, I’m so excited. Community independents are demonstrating, as we’ve seen on the Beaches and more broadly, not only is this a better way of doing politics, but it rises above party politics.
“It also shows that voters believe and trust that Independents contribute and deliver in their community.”

The Northern Beaches has typically been a Liberal stronghold, however, it seems to be quickly changing. Not only will Pittwater have a Teal Independent representing them, but Wakehurst has independent Michael Regan, who founded Your Northern Beaches Independent Team (YNBIT), which also has seven of the 15 elected councillors on the Northern Beaches Council (with both the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor being YNBIT). The Federal representatives for Warringah (Zali Steggall) and Mackellar (Dr Sophie Scamps) are also Teal Independents. Ms Scruby will be the first Teal MP in the NSW parliament.
So, why are Northern Beaches voters making the switch according to the PROBABLE new MP.
“We have very engaged people in our community engaging in their democracy,” Ms Scruby said.
“That’s what a community independent is all about. Voters are seeing the value that Independents on a Federal level are adding, and they see the value of an Independent on the ground and how active they are in their community.
“Essentially, an Independent is a community representative in parliament, so that’s a distinct difference to having someone who represents their party.”

Another factor is how healthy competition pushes the major parties to do better, according to Ms Scruby.
“The example I give is the NSW government is the first Australian state to legislate a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration and mining off our coast,” Ms Scruby explained.
“Initially, it was a Liberal policy, but I co-drafted legislation to make it law, and afterwards the Liberals did the same bill, and Labor followed, and before you know it, it’s now legislated. It just shows that Independents push major parties to do better.”
So, what’s first to tick off the to-do list (once everything gets signed off and Scruby gets a few nights of good sleep)?
“I’m very conscious that it’s a two-year term and there is a need for me to hit the ground running and demonstrate to voters that not only does independent representation work, but it also delivers for the residents of Pittwater,” Ms Scruby said.
“I want to continue the trust of those who voted for me and earn the trust of others.”

Ms Scruby identified several priorities to address: prioritising funding for Mona Vale road upgrade, ensuring the Wakehurst Parkway upgrade is delivered, supporting Mr Regan in resolving the insurance issues with Narrabeen Athletics Track (although not in her area, she explained many of the Pittwater residents use the facility), understanding funding needs and expectations for schools like Narrabeen Sports High and Pittwater High, advocating for health services for Pittwater residents and pushing back on the Minn’s Government’s blanket definition for Town Centre and on blanket planning laws for some areas of Pittwater.
It’ll be a big first week.
We can’t talk about this by-election without mentioning the politics that were played out between the Liberals and the Teal Independents. Debates held throughout the campaign between Ms Scruby and Ms Ryburn showed their policies were fairly similar with the main difference being who could get the job done with their position with the current government. There was also the debate over who was more local, with both candidates defending themselves either against misinformation, or clarity of the definition of local.
“From my point of view, you should live in the electorate that you seek to represent,” Ms Scruby, who lives in Avalon, said.
“And that’s what being a community Independent is – being embedded in the community that you’re seeking to represent.”
Ms Scruby added that both Ms Ryburn and she have a lot of respect for each other.
“It was an honour to run next to her. And it was a very hard contest, and it was definitely democracy in action in Pittwater,” she added.

During her campaign, Ms Scruby said she had 300 volunteers supporting her, and she highlighted she couldn’t have done it without them.
“This community back independent movement is actually so grassroots and so community based, and that’s evidenced by the number of volunteers, which really shows a community who’s engaged in their democracy and who are willing to bring that to life through all their volunteer hours,” she said.
“Some people gave up work because they believe in community led politics.
“I’ve said it as a bit of a joke, but you know, I’m the puppet of the community. I’m a representative who feels I can represent them because my values are aligned and I have listened to the community.
“So, I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The by-election was triggered after MP Rory Amon was charged with historical child sex offences, which you can read here.
Georgia Ryburn has conceded defeat.