Former head of production at NITV to contest seat of Warringah as an Independent

The Founding Director of the Gaimaragal Group and former NITV boss, Susan Moylan-Coombs will take on the federal government's Special Envoy for Indigenous Affairs Tony Abbott in his own electorate of Warringah in next year's election.

Woolwonga and Gurindji woman Susan Moylan-Coombs has announced she will run for the federal seat of Warringah.

Woolwonga and Gurindji woman Susan Moylan-Coombshas condemned the Liberal candidate's comments. Source: University of Sydney

Woolwonga and Gurindji woman Susan Moylan-Coombs has announced she will contest the seat of Warringah as an Independent candidate in next year's federal election.

Ms Moylan-Coombs made the public announcement via a Facebook post on Christmas Eve.

"It's Christmas Eve. I have an announcement to make Warringah. I will!!!" read Ms Moylan-Coombs' announcement. 

The decision makes her the first high-profile candidate to confirm an electoral challenge to Warringah's incumbent representative, Tony Abbott.

The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reports Ms Moylan-Coombs intends to pressure Mr Abbott on climate change policy and Indigenous affairs, and has put her hand up to also take over as Special Envoy on Indigenous Affairs should she be successful in her campaign.

"I have an ability to understand the unique need of First Nations people in this country," she told the SMH. "If we genuinely had a voice and a seat at the table to be able to truly inform what is required then I think we have a chance."

Ms Moylan-Coombs is a former head of production at NITV who more recently founded The Gaimaragal Group, an organisation which aims to foster connections between Indigenous Elders, youth and broader communities. 

Ms Moylan-Coombs also told the SMH that she will support the proposed First Nation's Voice in parliament.

In 2016, Mr Abbott retained Warringah for the Coalition with 61.5 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.


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Published 24 December 2018 2:06pm
By NITV Staff Writer
Source: NITV News


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