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Tuesday November 10, 2026 
10 November 2026
NSW Labor has selected local businessman Michael Quinnell to contest the seat of Willoughby at the March 2027 state election, where he will challenge sitting Liberal MP Tim James and a likely community independent candidate.
Quinnell, a father of three and engineering professional who operates a boutique infrastructure advisory firm, was announced as Labor’s candidate on Tuesday by Premier Chris Minns.
He is also active in local community sport, serving as registrar of the St Pius X College Cricket Club.
The election is shaping up as a multiple contest, with the Greens, One Nation and Northern Sydney’s Independents all expected to support a candidate in Willoughby.
The group was previously involved in the campaigns of former federal North Sydney MP Kylea Tink and Helen Conway, who contested the state seat of North Shore in 2023.
James has represented Willoughby since a 2022 by-election following the resignation of former premier Gladys Berejiklian.
He retained the seat at the 2023 state election after a close contest with independent Larissa Penn, finishing with a two-candidate-preferred margin of approximately 2.6%.
Willoughby has traditionally been a Liberal stronghold, although Labor briefly held the seat following the 1978 election during the so-called “Wranslide” years of Premier Neville Wran.
Labor’s Eddie Britt won the seat after sitting Liberal MP Laurie McGinty lost preselection to future premier Nick Greiner but contested the election as an independent Liberal. McGinty directed preferences against Greiner, allowing Britt to win narrowly. Labor held the seat for just one term before losing it to Liberal Peter Collins in 1981.
Quinnell said he wanted to strengthen Willoughby’s representation in the NSW Parliament.
“For too long, Willoughby hasn’t had a seat at the table,” he said.
“This is an active, passionate community – it deserves an MP who will fight for the issues that matter to them.”
Labor highlighted a range of government investments in the electorate, including additional nurses and doctors at Royal North Shore Hospital, a $7 million upgrade at Cammeray Public School, protection of Cammeray Golf Course and plans for new public green space at Cammeray.
The government also pointed to the Warringah Freeway upgrade and the Southwest Metro extension.
Minns said Quinnell’s business background and community involvement would make him a strong local representative.
“He knows what it means to run a business, raise a family and volunteer in his local community,” Minns said.
Quinnell said he would focus on listening to residents across the electorate.
“From Crows Nest to Castle Cove, I am going to work every day to listen to the needs and aspirations of the Willoughby community.”