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Thursday May 21, 2026 
15 March 2023
Willoughby state MP Tim James says voters are telling him that the cost of living is a big issue in the electorate as he faces a strong challenge from independent candidate Larissa Penn and Labor’s Sarah Griffin.
James told the Sun that “I’ve been out every day at bus stops, doorknocking, in the community and visiting businesses, and the issue raised most frequently is cost of living. Interest rate rises and inflation are placing considerable pressure on family budgets. I know many people are doing it tough at the moment. And everyone is busy so it’s not always apparent what people can do to meet these challenges – this is no surprise but perhaps how much help is available for local people is a surprise.”
James said the NSW government has introduced 70 ways to save money via ServiceNSW pointing specifically to toll relief and child care help.
“We are about easing pressure and want to help all people in Willoughby. The Liberals and I have a positive, caring plan to invest in the quality infrastructure and services our community needs – new and upgraded schools, public transport such as the Sydney Metro and improved health services. None of this is possible without a credible economic plan to deliver it,” he said.
Independent challenger Larissa Penn—who was only 3% off beating James at last year’s by-election, is picking up different signals from the electorate.
“The feedback I am receiving is that there has been a lot of “listening” but little to no action since the by-election. The community feels that nothing has changed which shows that their concerns are being heard and acted upon. I love our community and our environment. I love where I live and have spent the last 6 years fighting to protect it by advocating for more financially and environmentally sustainable alternatives to those being pursued by the current state government at enormous cost. We are told we are being heard but in fact things are worse. The time for listening has passed. We need meaningful action now in the face of high impact toll roads, overdevelopment and degraded services,” Penn told the Sun.
Labor’s Sarah Griffin is also hearing about the cost of living and links it to a mood for change.
“We are detecting a solid mood for change in the electorate. However, I am surprised, in this long held Liberal 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 an 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, 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 were 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.