Scott Yung, the 32-year-old Liberal candidate for the Bennelong electorate, is currently navigating a tumultuous campaign marked by prior controversies and current challenges. Yung had previously run against NSW Premier Chris Minns in the 2019 election. Today, he is under fire because of his strict adherence to election rules. Despite these challenges, he is still hopeful about his chances as he talks to voters all over the sprawling constituency.
During this previous campaign, Yung racked up a number of celebrity endorsements. This very costly use of funds led to questions regarding his dubious financial disclosures. These endorsements, along with his primary race on the record, have now come back to haunt him as deadly liabilities in today’s political climate. Yung boldly asserts that he does not worry. That’s exactly where he’s concentrating in this new campaign, as he works to reach a more detached, less partisan electorate.
Campaigning in Bennelong
Yung’s campaign team has been actively mobilizing throughout the Bennelong area, which encompasses Ryde, Hunters Hill, and Lane Cove in the north-western part of Sydney’s CBD. He gets out there and talks to early voters at the polling stations themselves. As recently as last week, he welcomed constituents to his office with how-to-vote cards at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Chatswood.
Our creative candidate is out personally handing out Easter eggs on the doorstep of a primary school. This ambitious initiative has drawn close scrutiny and has raised serious questions about whether such initiatives are appropriate during the campaign season. Yung isn’t swayed from his mission or his goals and still very much feels that sharing his story will appeal to voters.
“What people want in Australia and Australian politics, and people like you also play a very important role in that in the media, is to ensure that we set a culture of positivity and focus on issues that really solve problems for our electorate and also for our nation.” – Scott Yung
Beyond their work in Washington, Yung was out campaigning hard at the grassroots level. He’s received backing from former PM John Howard, the savior of the Liberal Party. This high-profile endorsement lends further momentum to his campaign as he tries to move past the pack and establish himself with voters.
Controversies Resurface
His previous campaign against Chris Minns in 2019 is coming back to bite him. Now, questions are being raised about his failure to disclose all that free advertising he received during that election cycle. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will likely soon be required to assess whether Yung broke any rules.
Compounding these concerns, Yung went on to misrepresent raising $60K on a small dinner organized by Howard. This shocking revelation begs even more questions about transparency and honesty in his campaign dealings.
“That’s up for the AEC and the law to decide.” – Scott Yung
Regardless of these challenges, Yung remains adamant that he is placing the needs of the Bennelong community first. It’s the economic growth and economic stability that Governor DeSantis has touted as cornerstone messages of his campaign.
“What I think about when I go home is the hundreds of conversations that I have with the people here … people in Bennelong want to be able to buy their own homes, retire comfortably, they want their businesses and careers to succeed and for that to happen we need an economic pie that’s growing for everyone.” – Scott Yung
The Road Ahead
As Election Day nears, Scott Yung has cause for hope. He’s confident that recent boundary changes to his Bennelong electorate will enhance his chances of success. He believes that addressing local concerns and demonstrating a commitment to the community will be key factors influencing voter decisions.
In the larger picture, the political dynamics inside the Liberal Party keep changing. Other party members made deep appeals affirming the need to prioritize solidarity and better serve constituents through representation in the House. Jerome Laxale pointed out that “Peter Dutton Liberals are not John Howard’s Liberals,” indicating a shift in party dynamics.
Gisele Kapterian noted the significance of numbers in politics: “At the end of the day, politics is a numbers game and so in order to be effective on the floor of parliament, you need the numbers.” A telling statement, given the current, perennial debate within the party about the right strategy for electoral success.
Yung’s ability to navigate these complex dynamics will be tested as he works to solidify support among voters in Bennelong. He is clearly dedicated to forming relationships in the community, but pursuing a truth-and-reconciliation process that deals with the past’s missteps directly.
