13 December 2024
Journalist and broadcaster Jaimee Rogers has launched her candidacy for Warringah in the upcoming federal election, running under the Liberal Party banner with the argument that only major parties can get things done.
In an interview with the North Sydney Sun, Rogers, a media professional and mother of two, emphasised her deep connection to the Warringah community and her commitment to addressing key local and national challenges. Speaking about her background, she highlighted her career in journalism and sport, including roles at Sky Racing and the ABC, and her achievements as a competitive swimmer, including crossing the English Channel in 2022 to raise $75,000 for mental health charity Got You for Life.
“I love my community and feel incredibly lucky to live here. When you see your family, friends, and neighbours doing it tough, and you have an opportunity to make a difference, you put your hand up,” Rogers said.
Rogers framed her campaign around restoring Liberal representation in Warringah, which she argued would bring greater influence and advocacy for the electorate. Criticising independent representation, she said, “Independents have a place in adding viewpoints to debates, but to see real action, a major party is essential.”
Warringah was held by the Liberals for most of its history, until 2019 when independent Zali Steggall beat Tony Abbott. The Australian Electoral Commission has subsequently altered its boundaries, expanding its westward to take in some of the North Sydney electorate, also held by an independent, Kylea Tink.
Rogers pointed to economic pressures as a central issue. “Cost of living is a crisis across our electorate. Families are struggling with soaring daycare fees, small businesses are overwhelmed by skyrocketing rents and energy bills, and young people are being priced out of the housing market,” she stated.
Rogers noted specific concerns raised by constituents, such as a McMahon’s Point restaurant owner facing a $100,000 annual electricity bill and a Manly small business paying $280,000 in rent. She highlighted the broader implications of such challenges, saying, “Businesses are saying, we physically don’t know how we’re going to be able to keep these doors open.”
She praised the Liberal Party’s economic credentials, contrasting them with current federal, state, and local governance. “Spending’s out of control. We’ve got inflation out of control, cost of living’s out of control, everything is out of control. So we need to bring back in the Liberal government who we know are good at managing the budget, managing spend, and can help alleviate these problems that we’re all seeing,” she argued.
Rogers also criticised rate increases proposed by North Sydney Council, which she attributed to poor fiscal management by a council controlled by a coalition of independents, Labor, and Greens councillors. She pointed to a proposed rate hike of up to 111% in North Sydney and a 46% rise over three years in the Northern Beaches, describing these as “outrageous burdens on households and businesses.” She supports alternative solutions, such as selling council assets, to alleviate financial pressures.
She highlighted frustrations over stalled progress on the North Sydney pool redevelopment, noting that $10 million in federal funding had been allocated for the project under the previous Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman. “People keep walking past it and getting annoyed when they see it sitting there versus actually getting it done,” she said. “Residents should not be picking up the bill for the pool issues,” she added.
Traffic congestion and overdevelopment in areas like Crows Nest were other key concerns she identified. Rogers said she is committed to advocating for solutions to preserve local amenities while addressing infrastructure needs. She also addressed longstanding issues on Military Road and Spit Bridge, pledging to work with all levels of government to find long-term traffic management solutions.
Rogers underscored her lived experience of economic pressures, positioning herself as a relatable advocate. “I am a mother of two. I am living the exact pain that all of us are going through. I see the grocery bills, I put the petrol in the car. We struggle with the mortgage increases. With the interest rates. I am going through this as well, and coming from working environment, I’m not a career politician. I know what this is like, and that’s why I put my hand up to be able to go and help facilitate this change,” she said.
She also cited her successful swim across the English Channel as an example of her willingness to tackle difficult challenges. “I don’t give up. I don’t back away from a challenge. And I know that there is a fight on my hands, but I’m the person who will be there to do it, and I’ll continue to fight for these issues that Warringah has raised, and I’ll make sure that they have a strong voice in parliament,” she declared.
This Sunday, Rogers will hit the water again in a bid to raise more funds for Gotcha4Life. She will be swimming 10km from Manly to Milsons Point from 7am, a route which neatly contours the boundaries of Warringah. “We lose 9 people every day to suicide. It’s the leading cause of death in 15 to 49-year-olds. It’s really important we are having the conversations around our mental fitness,” she said.