Member for Bradfield, Paul Fletcher, has resigned from federal politics.
In a statement released on the 10th of December, Fletcher announces that he has no intention of running a campaign in the upcoming 2025 federal election, and will instead be leaving politics to pursue work in the private sector. Fletcher will remain in his seat until the 2025 election, which is still to be announced.
Fletcher’s resignation marks the fourth Liberal incumbent to leave a seat on Sydney’s north, both on a state and federal level. Earlier in the year, State Member for Hornsby Matt Kean, State Member for Epping Dominic Perrottet, and State Member for Pittwater Rory Amon all resigned.
All three Liberal incumbents triggered a by-election, where Hornsby was won by Liberal James Wallace and Epping was won by Liberal Monica Tudehope. Pittwater, however, was conquered by independent Jacqui Scruby, after her threatening campaign in 2023 that decreased the Liberal margin by over 21 points.
Similarly, Bradfield was contested aggressively by community independent Nicolette Boele in the 2022 federal election, with the margin swinging over 12% away from the Liberals.
Incumbent Paul Fletcher pulled no punches in a speech given at The Sydney Institute earlier in the month, accusing the teals of being a “Green-left con job”.
‘The teals, without exception, ran in seats which had historically been liberal or national seats,’ said Paul Fletcher. ‘These so-called spontaneous community movements, by complete coincidence, appeared in a range of liberal and national seats, and made no appearance in Labor seats. Every aspect of the teal campaign was carefully designed to dupe traditional Liberal voters.’
Independent candidate for Bradfield, Nicolette Boele, held a press conference at 3pm on the 10th of December, thanking Paul Fletcher for his service to Bradfield, and maintaining that it is due time for a change in representation.
‘While Paul Fletcher and I may disagree with each other on many things, there is much to respect and admire in his long period of service to our community and the country,’ said Boele in a statement. ‘I’ve had thousands of conversations with members of our community this year who feel let down by the political parties. The supermarket shop has never been more expensive, our power bills keep rising, and our children and grandchildren can’t buy a home. As I continue to meet people across Bradfield, they tell me they want a representative who is loyal to locals, not to Peter Dutton.’
