On Friday, June 28, The Bugle staff sat down at Central Perk café in Kiama to talk with Andrew Constance, the Liberal candidate for the seat of Gilmore, and Sussan Ley, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. 

Sussan Ley

Over the previous two days, they had been engaging with the Kiama community, speaking directly with residents to understand their opinions and concerns.

From Wollongong to Bomaderry, the South Coast has been blitzed with some of the nation’s most senior politicians in recent weeks. They include Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen, Leader of the National Party David Littleproud and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. 

All of this attention from Australia’s political class is for one reason only: the seats of Whitlam, currently held by Stephen Jones, and Gilmore, currently held by Fiona Phillips, both for Labor, are now in play ahead of the next Federal election. The Bugle has interviewed them all.

Constance, who is set to contest the seat of Gilmore in the upcoming Federal election, emphasised his commitment to the wellbeing of families and small businesses during these challenging times. He remarked, "I worry that people are feeling forgotten and that their real, everyday issues are being overshadowed by large national ideological debates.

"We can all talk about energy transition, but the fact that businesses and families can’t meet their next power bill obligation can’t be lost at this time.”

Both Constance and Ley expressed their enthusiasm for Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy plan. While acknowledging that the plan still needs formalisation, they see it as a potentially cost-effective solution that could work alongside renewable energy sources. 

The public, according to national polls, appears open to the idea, provided safety concerns about nuclear waste and reactor stability can be addressed. Ultimately, the population wants to see feasibility figures, including costs, household coverage, and project timelines for nuclear power, and renewable energy projects.

During our discussion, Constance shared insights from his conversations with the public, emphasising the need for quick economic stimulus and the fast-tracking of regional public infrastructure projects. He stated, "I am super keen for the Kiama Harbour project to be put back on the agenda. It’s such a stunning place, and yet the opportunities are boundless. I drove the Port of Eden revitalisation, and I want to drive success in Kiama."

Sussan Ley commented, “We need to get back to basics when it comes to supporting the South Coast, we need to focus on bringing prices down and getting construction going, and we need to make sure the government in Canberra doesn’t overlook this amazing region.”

“The South Coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of our country, and when I joined Andrew, I heard that many in the community are doing it tough with cost of living and housing - areas of real pain,” Ms Ley continued.

“It was a real privilege to join Andrew Constance on the beautiful South Coast. Andrew has been there for the region when it has needed a voice, and I am really excited by him putting up his hand to join our Federal Liberal team.”