So it definitely piqued my interest when I heard that former Olympic medallist and world champion Zali Steggall would put her hand up to run in Warringah against former prime minister and formidable campaigner Tony Abbott. Like me, she represents the sensible centre, the large part of the electorate that feels completely betrayed and abandoned by the current Liberal Party. In both electorates, a large number of residents work in big and small businesses and are motivated by lower taxes and limited regulation – a traditional Liberal strength. However, increasingly, progressive social issues such as action on climate change and broader protection for the environment, humane treatment of refugees, and the fundamentals of health, education and aged care are of great interest to voters. The high percentage of yes votes in the same-sex marriage plebiscite in both electorates backs this view of a progressive shift. Kerryn Phelps is embraced by her wife Jackie Stricker-Phelps during her victory speech in the Wentworth byelection. Credit:AAP Lately, the Liberal Party has steadfastly refused to keep up with the socially progressive nature of my electorate, and even failed to maintain faith with the economic conservatives with its “big stick” divestment legislation.

Noting the strong anti-climate change stance and social arch-conservatism of the current Member for Warringah, I suspect the same is true there as well. A space has opened up for well-known Independents from the sensible centre. And the Liberal Party’s ongoing obsession with hard-right politics means the number of Independents entering the race in what were once safe Liberal seats will increase. Loading But just because a party has drifted from its constituents doesn’t mean that electoral success for an Independent will automatically follow. Many voters in my electorate are rusted-on Liberal voters – and it must be said there are rusted-on Labor and Greens voters too. So in approaching the Wentworth by-election, it was important to play to my strengths. Being a long-term local matters, as does having a profile, because you can’t rely on the brand of a major party to provide recognition. I have been a local GP and media commentator on medical matters for more than 20 years. Zali Steggall is a well-known local barrister, four-time Olympic skier, Olympic medallist and world champion.

I can’t imagine there would be a single Olympic medallist without the personal qualities of dedication, perseverance, resilience, and a competitive instinct. These are all essential qualities for an aspiring politician. Understanding business and the economy matters and for me it was a function of having run my own businesses for several decades. Zali’s family, according to media reports, has a strong Liberal history and, like me, she does not support Labor’s tax plans such as changing franking credits or negative gearing. Another factor is to be known in different parts of the electorate. While known in her native Manly, the fact Zali is on the board of a girls’ school in Mosman will help her convince voters in the southern parts of the electorate that she is worth backing. But getting out among your community as often as possible and knocking on doors with your army of volunteers is still the best way to connect with the electorate. And staying positive matters. As your political opponents go low with vicious slurs and misleading campaign material, and their attempts to “brief” journalists with their latest bit of gossip, you go high and talk about the issues that matter most to voters.