Published: 19 October 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
The main reason for the almost Shakespearean level of intrigue and drama is that the stakes are so high. The Coalition government has a one-seat majority and although Wentworth has historically been a very safe Liberal seat, the dumping of Turnbull has sown the seeds of a profound protest vote.
Over the past few weeks, the contest has effectively narrowed down to a two-horse race between the Independent Dr Kerryn Phelps, a doctor and former head of the Australian Medical Association, and the Liberal candidate Dave Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel. A series of polls has shown that, indeed, the government is at risk of a historic defeat which could result in a minority government.
This has driven the new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to court the electorate’s 12% Jewish community: Sharma promised $2.2 million to strengthen security for Jewish community venues and events, and in a naked play to woo Jewish voters, the Prime Minister announced that on the suggestion of Sharma, he was open to moving Australia’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, following in the footsteps of the US.
Morrison’s cynicism is, perversely, offensive to the Jewish community in that it presumes Jewish loyalty to Israel would trump their concerns with Australian issues. The announcement also treats Israel as if it is a domestic plaything, only for the PM to have revealed his naivety at how far-reaching its impacts on foreign relations can be.
Jewish community leaders have openly entered the fray. The NSW Board of Jewish Deputies has hosted a candidates’ forum, the most recent Liberal mail-out had endorsements from Rabbi Levi Wolff and the President of JBD, and Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, from Emanuel Synagogue, publicly urged voters to put climate change at the top of their priorities when deciding who to choose. Both the head of the JBD, and Rabbi Kamins have had to publicly rebut allegations they were endorsing specific candidates, intentionally or otherwise.
In the end, however, the decision about who will best serve the people of Wentworth, including its 12% Jewish population, comes down to the candidates’ policies and the values enshrined in their polices.
Dr Phelps, who was regrettably targeted in a personal smear campaign this week, is an experienced policy advocate who would pursue her agenda with a confident voice in the parliament. She has outlined forward-thinking policies on climate change and articulated compassionate positions on alleviating the trauma suffered by off-shore asylum seekers. Her policies come closest to embodying the progressive Jewish values that we look for in public service.
However, , as an independent, she would be unchained by petty party loyalties. Given the government’s wafer-thin majority, she would have a greater prospect of achieving policy success than another Liberal member, who would be duty-bound to follow the leader.
For all Dave Sharma’s experience as a diplomat, his policies and campaign have reflected that of a candidate beholden to a party whose policies look backward and inward. He presented no substantive variation to the government’s position on climate change and offshore detention, and his suggestion regarding the relocation of Australia’s embassy snowballed into a spectacular policy and political embarrassment.
While the vote will no doubt be shaped, in part, by resentment at Turnbull’s ousting, at heart the byelection must be about looking forward, not backwards; a choice between those who stand for something better and appear capable of delivering on their platforms.
On this basis, Dr Phelps has demonstrated superior credentials, thinking and conviction. The people of Wentworth would be best served by electing her as their next member.
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Wentworth byelection: Jewish voters split over embassy switch to Jerusalem (Guardian)
Byelection forum dominated by Israel, climate change and refugee issues as new poll suggests Kerryn Phelps in a winning position
Photo: Newscorp
