Voters’ Trust in Independents Increasing, Teal Candidate Says

People are placing more trust in independent candidates backed by the local community, says the woman likely to become NSW parliament’s first teal MP.

Independent candidate Jacqui Scruby at Bayview Yacht Racing Association in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 5, 2024. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

The woman who appears set to become the first “teal” independent to enter NSW parliament, political adviser Jacqui Scruby, says voters are now more trusting of independent candidates backed by their local communities.

Scruby looks likely to win the by-election for the seat of Pittwater, which was held on Saturday. Initial vote counting showed she'd achieved a 6 percent swing against the Liberals, who now have their hopes pinned on postal votes.