Fresh off a three-day crash course in Canberra, newly elected Melbourne MP Sarah Witty is embracing her role in the Australian Parliament, despite her lack of political experience. “There are a lot of things that I don’t know that I don’t know yet,” she candidly told 9news.com.au. Her entry into politics marks a significant victory for the Labor Party, having unseated Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt in a surprising electoral upset.
Witty, the former head of a prominent charity, emerged as a key figure in Labor’s sweeping election success. Throughout her campaign, she observed a “groundswell of people looking for an alternative,” signaling a shift in voter sentiment. Her victory over Bandt, with a 53 percent to 47 percent margin, makes her the second female Labor candidate to defeat a party leader in recent memory, following first-term Dickson MP Ali France.
The Unplanned Political Journey
Remarkably, politics was not always on the agenda for the 52-year-old Witty. It was not even her idea to run in the federal election. “I ran with Labor in the last Yarra council election and I came second,” she explained. “And then because I’d run such a great campaign there, I was asked to run for the federal seat. I just thought it’s a good experience, and then maybe see what happens.”
The seat of Melbourne, held by Bandt since 2010, was considered a stronghold for the Greens. Labor insiders cautioned Witty about the formidable challenge of defeating Bandt, a feat that had eluded four previous candidates over his 15-year tenure.
A Groundswell for Change
Despite the odds, Witty noticed a shift in voter attitudes. “It was almost the first day out, we were at Richmond Market and the conversations started there,” she recalled. This realization spurred her campaign efforts, leading to a 5.7 percent swing in her favor in the primary vote. Just days before the election, Bandt expressed confidence in the Greens’ prospects, stating, “People are realizing we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result.”
In a twist of fate, Bandt conceded defeat to Witty a week later. Reflecting on their conversation, she remarked, “I will say it was the second most awkward conversation I’ve ever had.”
From Diverse Careers to Public Service
Witty’s journey to Parliament is as varied as it is unconventional. Raised in Scoresby, she graduated from what she describes as an “uninteresting, middle-of-the-road school” with vague ambitions to “enjoy life.” Over the decades, she navigated through multiple careers, from owning a Subway restaurant to corporate roles in banking and insurance. As a partnerships manager for Homes for Homes, she helped raise $110 million for community housing.
Most recently, she served as the chief executive of The Nappy Collective, revitalizing the charity’s mission to provide free nappies to families in need. However, it was her role as a foster mother that she credits for her political awakening. “I had a child in my care who was about 10 years old, stayed with me two years. Really shy, really quiet, kid,” she shared. A poignant moment with this child solidified her resolve to enter public service, with his experiences guiding her decisions.
A New Chapter in Fitzroy
As Witty settles into her new office in Fitzroy, she is clear about her priorities. “I just want to make sure that my office is looking after the most vulnerable in our community,” she asserted. “Just to let people know that we, we’re here to help, and that if they need help to come to us.”
Witty’s unexpected victory and her diverse background bring a fresh perspective to the political landscape. Her journey from charity leadership to federal politics underscores a broader narrative of change and the evolving desires of the electorate. As she begins her tenure, all eyes will be on how she navigates the challenges ahead and fulfills her commitment to her constituents.
