7 December 2024
Independent Federal Member for North Sydney Kylea Tink announced she would not contest the 2025 federal lower house election, citing a desire to explore other ways to support the community-independent movement, possibly including a Senate tilt. Tink’s decision follows the Australian Electoral Commission’s redistribution earlier this year, which abolished her seat and divided it among Bennelong, Bradfield, and Warringah.
Speaking at a community event in Chatswood alongside independent candidate for Bradfield, Nicolette Boele, Tink reflected on her term in Parliament and the impact of community-led representation. She used the event to endorse Boele for the re-drawn Bradfield seat.
“This term of Parliament has shown how powerful community-led representation can be,” Tink said. “It has been one of the privileges of my life to represent my community and help drive the community-independent movement forward.”
Tink highlighted achievements during her tenure, including securing climate reforms, advocating for intergenerational equity, improving parliamentary conduct, and championing human rights protections. “From climate reform and vehicle efficiency standards to supporting families through reinstated parenting payments and super on parental leave, I’m proud to have helped drive real progress,” she said.
The redistribution, which saw North Sydney dissolved, played a key role in her decision. “My decision not to run in 2025 has been difficult, but it is in the best interests of the community-independent movement and my family if I explore other ways to support this shift,” Tink said. Tink’s other lower house options were a tilt for Warringah, where Zali Steggal is a longer term independent incumbent, or Bennelong, narrowly held by Labor.
She praised Boele’s candidacy, describing her as a committed advocate for Bradfield. “As a resident of Bradfield going forward, I will be voting for Nicolette Boele in the 2025 election,” Tink said, urging voters to back Boele on issues like climate change, housing affordability, and cost-of-living pressures.
Boele, who ran against Liberal MP Paul Fletcher in 2022, said she looked forward to contesting the seat again. “Kylea Tink is a trailblazer of the community-independent movement,” Boele said. “She has achieved so much and shown how effective true community representation can be.”
Tink also expressed gratitude to her constituents and hinted at future involvement in Australian politics. “To everyone who joined this movement—thank you. Together, we’ve proven that politics can be done differently,” she said. While she has not made a decision about a Senate run, Tink pledged continued support for the community-independent movement and candidates preparing for the 2025 election.