Zali Steggall will retain the seat of Warringah and Dr Sophie Scamps will retain the seat of Mackellar with both enjoying modest positive swings in this weekend’s federal election.
Both have given acceptance speeches (and a few dances).
“It’s been hard work for everyone. But also we’ll get straight back to work. My office works so hard, they’re so compassionate, and we will get straight back into it,” Dr Scamps told Manly Observer shortly after hearing the results at her Dee Why RSL election function last night, 3 May 2025.
Locals, and indeed the nation, have turned their backs on the Liberal Party with Labor decisively winning a second term and Liberal Leader Peter Dutton losing his own seat.
Both Northern Beaches electorates saw a small swing away from the Liberal candidates Jaimee Rogers and James Brown, with Labor candidates, who traditionally tank finding some extra buoyancy.
Mr Brown wrote a statement to Manly Observer thanking his opposition as well as his supporters and volunteers.
“I’d like to congratulate Dr Scamps and her team on a victory, and also recognise the service of the other candidates: particularly Ethan and Jeff who put in a big effort over several weeks at early voting. I’m enormously grateful to our volunteers and supporters who gave so much of their time and effort.”
He stated the Liberal Party will take the time to rebuild, while throwing some humour in there,
“We have work to do to build a better Liberal Party. And we may well be knocking on Nate Newell’s door…”
Ms Rogers also posted to Instagram congratulating Zali on her win and thanking her supporters and volunteers for their time and effort.
Ms Steggall saw a modest positive swing of 1.7 per cent and Scamps 2.5 per cent on the primary vote, with about three quarters of the votes counted on Sunday, 4 May.
Dr Scamps said she had yet to hear from her Liberal opposition Mr Brown when we spoke to her last night, but thanked him for a “hard fought election.”
She also shared one of the first things her office will focus on when back in the chair.
“One of the major issues for this election, this electorate, and all across Australia, is the inequality when it comes to housing. Too many young families, too many young people, key workers having to leave our area. It’s devastating for them, and it’s devastating for our community. We need we need far better solutions for housing,” Dr Scamps said.
Much like the last federal election in 2022 it seems the “Teal wave” is once again projected to prevail across its electorates. Ms Steggall says their popularity can be trickled down to voters being fed up with negative messaging from their oppositions.
“Since 2019 Warringah has led the way with positive politics, focusing on policies that will take Warringah and Australia forward, tackling important opportunities and challenges,” Ms Steggall wrote to Manly Observer in a statement.
“I visited 27 polling booths yesterday and overwhelmingly voters and volunteers rejected the negative messaging and adversarial populist policies of my opponents and third party groups.
“The need for truth in political advertising laws was repeatedly bought up and is something I will continue to champion. I want to say thank you to the Warringah Community for again putting their trust in me.”
This will be Ms Steggall’s third term and Dr Scamps’ second.
You can view the raw tally data for Mackellar here: Mackellar, NSW – AEC Tally Roomhttps://tallyroom.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionPage-31496-132.htm
You can view the raw tally data for Warringah here: Warringah, NSW – AEC Tally Roomhttps://tallyroom.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionPage-31496-151.htm
Reporting by Kim Smee and Jack Kelly
