Frontrunner for the Liberal Party’s ticket in Hornsby is James Wallace.

Hornsby is a traditionally Liberal held seat. Since 2011, the state electorate has been represented by Matt Kean, though with Kean’s recent resignation, a by-election has been triggered.

James Wallace is the Liberal offer to Hornsby. Growing up in the Hornsby Shire, his family has resided in the area for five generations. With a background in corporate law and parents who regularly engaged in public service, James expresses his passion to represent the people of Hornsby in the state parliament. ‘My vision is a caring, smart, creative and united community,’ says James Wallace. ‘I will fight for the critical road upgrades, sporting field improvements, and cost-of-living support our community needs.’

At the start of August, James was preselected as the Liberal candidate, securing around 65% of the preselection votes, defeating Michael Hutchence.

Unaffectionately, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott referred to James Wallace as Kean’s “clone” once preselection declared Wallace as the pick. James has vowed to continue the work of Matt Kean and extends gratitude for the previous MP’s service.

‘Matt was instrumental in securing funding to rebuild Hornsby Hospital… he was an effective advocate in the Liberal Government that delivered the Northconnex, the Metro and started works to convert Hornsby Quarry,’ says James.

Across the board, the Liberal Party have been vocally against Labor’s slashing of the Active and Creative Kids vouchers. For James, decisions such as this worsen cost-of-living pressures.

‘Raising my two-year-old son Ben with my wife Sarah, I know how tough it’s been with… housing, groceries, electricity, and petrol bills,’ says James. ‘I will fight to bring back cost-of-living supports like Active Kids, remove the burden of stamp duty from young people trying to buy their first home, and reverse the Labor cuts to the local public schools.’

His background is in technology law, which James hopes to use to improve and continue platforms such as Service NSW.

For the campaign, James speaks on holding Labor to account, standing up against the one-size-fits-all development approach, and pushing for funding for roads, parks, and community amenities to run alongside housing infrastructure.

James Wallace is the Liberal candidate for the Hornsby by-election.