0°C | Saturday January 10, 2026 
11 February 2025
Outgoing independent MP for North Sydney Kylea Tink delivered her valedictory speech in the House of Representatives, marking the conclusion of her parliamentary tenure following the abolition of her seat by the Australian Electoral Commission. Addressing an audience that included 70–90 of her supporters, Tink reflected on her time in office, the achievements of the crossbench, and the evolving role of independents in Australian politics.
Tink confirmed that she will not seek a Senate seat in 2025 and reiterated her earlier decision not to contest Bradfield, the electorate that absorbs part of North Sydney. Instead, she used her speech to issue a rallying cry to the community independent movement, urging Australians dissatisfied with the major parties to take political action themselves. “If we are unhappy with the direction our country is headed, fixing it is on us – no one else is going to save us.”
Tink highlighted the significance of her election in 2022, which ended more than a century of Liberal control in North Sydney. She characterised the two-party system as unresponsive, stating, “The blue tie/red tie dynamic was too focused on working for itself rather than us.” She cited issues such as climate inaction, integrity concerns, and gender equity as driving factors for her community’s push for independent representation. “Where we wanted faster action on climate change, we were witnessing prevarication and outright denial. We were literally told we were over-reacting, and we needed to calm down.”
Reflecting on her legislative contributions, Tink noted her efforts in introducing three private members’ bills—aimed at cleaner transport, refugee rights, and housing policy reform. She also underscored her role in the crossbench’s push for emissions reduction targets, a parliamentary code of conduct, and HECS reform. “I was there fighting to legislate 43% emissions reductions as a floor not a ceiling. I was there fighting for a binding code of conduct for everyone in this place and for better behaviour. I was there fighting for human rights of all.”
Acknowledging the challenges of her tenure, she described Australia’s political landscape as slow to respond to key issues such as economic inequality, climate change, and gender equity. She warned against what she sees as increasing political division and urged Australians to embrace independent representation as a means of fostering a more constructive and inclusive national discourse. “Too slowly to embrace the economic opportunities that come with addressing climate change. Too slowly to help the most vulnerable, as more and more everyday Australians get left behind while vested interests double down to protect their margins and the status quo.”
Tink also outlined the historical significance of North Sydney, recalling its election of Ted Mack as an independent in 1990 and its role as the first seat to endorse a community-backed independent for the 2022 election. With the abolition of North Sydney, its constituents will now be absorbed into Warringah, Bradfield, and Bennelong, a shift she said would not diminish the political engagement of her former electorate. “Moving forward our community will be absorbed into Warringah, Bradfield and Bennelong – and while it is the end of an era, I know the courage, conviction and compassion of the North Sydney community will strengthen those electorates.”
In her closing remarks, Tink reaffirmed her belief in the power of grassroots political movements, urging community independents contesting the next election to remain committed. “First they will ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win,” she said, quoting a well-known political maxim.
Tink thanked her team, parliamentary colleagues, and family for their support throughout her time in office, concluding her speech with an appeal for ongoing civic participation and democratic engagement. “Extraordinary things can be achieved when we take the time to truly listen to each other – and this must be the ambition for this process and this place. It cannot just be about power and control.”