Premier Chris Minns has endorsed Katelin McInerney as Labor’s candidate for Kiama in the upcoming byelection. Photos: Keeli Dyson.
The NSW Premier has announced Katelin McInerney as the Labor candidate who will be contesting the seat of Kiama in next month’s byelection, triggered by former member and convicted rapist Gareth Ward resigning from the position.
Premier Chris Minns visited Kiama on Thursday (14 August) to reveal Ms McInerney would once again be throwing her hat in the ring after losing to Mr Ward in 2023, with the Labor leader boasting of her kindness as a unique strength in the tough political scene.
“Katelin is somebody who has got a big heart and is very kind,” he said. “I know that generally speaking in politics we prioritise or preference and often speak about people who are belligerent or incredibly tough on their opponents, or get into parliament and hurl abuse or insults – you’re not going to get that with Katelin.”
Despite Ms McInerney coming in a close second to Mr Ward in the last election, and his now being out of the picture, the Premier admitted that he was ‘nervous’ about the byelection, and still considered his party ‘underdogs’.
“It feels like Everest at the moment,” Premier Minns said.
“We know that there’s a big challenge ahead for NSW Labor, and we’re determined to climb it together; we take absolutely nothing for granted.”
But he said the byelection also presented a rare chance for the Kiama community to put Ms McInerney to the test before the general election in 2027.
“It is an opportunity for the local community to effectively ‘try before you buy’.
“Give Katelin a go, give Labor a go and then make a decision in March of 2027 who the long-term member for Kiama will be.”
The byelection will be the second time Ms McInerney has contested the seat of Kiama.
Ms McInerney, who grew up in Kiama and is raising her own family in the town, originally decided to run for the seat to ensure her son received the same positive experience she did.
“I put my hand up because the wonderful upbringing that I had with access to a world-class public education system and world-class health system with my community around me in a place that my mum and my dad, a teacher and a journalist, could afford to live and raise a family and work,” she said.
“I was really worried that they were not the same opportunities that my son William, who is now 5 … I was worried that he wouldn’t have the same opportunities as I had when I was growing up here.”
Despite losing the seat at the time, she was determined not to give up on that mission.
“When I was asked in 2023 if I would stand into the future if I wasn’t successful, I made that commitment to my community that I would be here for any subsequent elections,” Ms McInerney said.
“I’m holding to that promise and that’s one thing I can assure people they will find about me is that when I do make a promise I will move through with it and I will make sure that the NSW Government is moving through with it as well.”
Ms McInerney hoped the byelection would provide the electorate certainty.
“Kiama and Shoalhaven need a strong voice on the floor of parliament, someone who is going to represent them and their concerns and I believe that I will be that strong voice and certainly can make a real difference in this community,” Ms McInerney said.
“They’re looking to the future and they’re looking for some certainty.”
The Kiama community will head to the polls on Saturday 13 September.
