Sarah Witty didn't plan to run in the federal election. Then she toppled a political giant
Share this @internewscast.com
Recently returning from a three-day Canberra immersion, newly elected Melbourne MP Sarah Witty embraces her status as a newcomer among seasoned politicians.

“There are many things that I’m not yet aware of,” she shared with 9news.com.au.

Although new to the chamber, the former charity executive steps into parliament as a pivotal figure in the Labor Party’s sweeping election success.

Throughout her campaign, Witty quietly noticed “a groundswell of people looking for an alternative”. (Supplied)

Following in the footsteps of first-term Dickson MP Ali France, Witty became the second female Labor candidate to unseat a party leader, defeating Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt with 53 per cent to 47 per cent.

But until recently politics wasn’t on the cards for the 52-year-old – it wasn’t even her idea to run in the federal election.

”I ran with Labor in the last Yarra council election and I came second in that election,” she said.

“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.”

Held by Bandt since 2010, the inner-city electorate of Melbourne seemed like an impenetrable fortress for the major parties.

Melbourne MP Sarah Witty.
Melbourne MP Sarah Witty. (Nine)

Labor party insiders were quick to warn the Nappy Collective chief executive that overcoming Bandt at the ballot would be a huge challenge.

It was a feat four candidates before her had failed at during Bandt’s 15-year grip on the seat.

But on the ground, Witty quietly noticed “a groundswell of people looking for an alternative” after voting Greens for three elections in a row. 

“It was almost the first day out, we were at Richmond Market and the conversations started there,” she said.

Adam Bandt concedes defeat in Melbourne. (Nine)

“I started to realise like, yeah, this is a real chance here, and that’s when we really gave it our best.”

After five days of counting post-election day, Witty had picked up a 5.7 per cent swing towards her in the primary vote.

Just days out from election day, Bandt told media he was confident the Greens were “within reach of winning seats right around the country”.

“People are realising we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result,” he said.

In a somewhat prophetic turn of events, the longstanding MP would call his Labor rival just a week later to concede the seat.

“I will say it was the second most awkward conversation I’ve ever had,” Witty said.

The Scoresby-bred charity boss graduated from a “uninteresting, middle-of-the-road school” with vague ambitions to “enjoy life”.

Over the next four decades, she pinballed between industries, owning a Subway restaurant, working corporate jobs in banking and insurance and helping to raise a pipeline of $110 million for community housing as a partnerships manager for Homes for Homes.

The Scoresby-bred charity boss graduated from a "uninteresting, middle-of-the-road school" with vague ambitions to "enjoy life".
The Scoresby-bred charity boss graduated from a “uninteresting, middle-of-the-road school” with vague ambitions to “enjoy life”. (Supplied)

“I’ve said all my life and all my career, I’ve never known what I want to be when I grow up,” she said.

Most recently, she took on the chief executive role at The Nappy Collective, helping to revive the charity which provides free nappies to families in crisis.

But it was her most intimate role – as a foster mum of 10 years – that the 52-year-old credits for her entrance to parliament.

“I had a child in my care who was about 10 years old, stayed with me two years. Really shy, really quiet, kid. 

“One day I picked him up from school and he says to me, ‘Oh, Sarah, can I tell you a secret?’ 

“I’m not gonna tell you his secret because the secret that he told me was something that no child should ever have experienced and the only person I’ve ever told his secret to was his caseworker. 

“But from that moment on, I knew that every decision I made from then on and continued to make, I always have him in my mind when I can.”

Sarah Witty has bounced between careers – and now finds herself as a federal MP. (The Age)

As the final moving boxes are flattened at her new office in the heart of bustling Fitzroy, Witty is finally sure of her purpose.

“I just want to make sure that my office is looking after the most vulnerable in our community,” she said.

“Just to let people know that we, we’re here to help, and that if they need help to come to us.

“I think by doing that, everybody’s lifted up.” 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
$310 million plan to put Mar-A-Lago inside the White House

Grand $310 Million Initiative Aims to Recreate Mar-A-Lago in the White House

Donald Trump has been envisioning a new ballroom on the White House…
Dentist, health insurance, end of year claims

Every Year, 1.5 Million Australian Children Miss the Opportunity for Free Dental Services

New data has shown that there is a massive underuse of a…

Empty Promises: Government’s Pledges for Major Change Never Materialize

The newest findings related to Closing the Gap align with earlier evaluations,…
Head of alleged Beauty and the Geek murder victim Julian found

Walker shares the moment his dog discovered what appeared to be a murder victim’s head

The finding in Port Lincoln is part of an ongoing six-week investigation…
The four victims of murders in Tennessee, United States; Cortney Rose, Matthew Wilson, Adrianna Williams and Braydon Williams.

Suspect Identified in Horrifying Four-Person Homicide

Authorities are searching for a man accused of killing four relatives of…
SA child rapist

Child abuser may gain temporary freedom due to legal loophole

Exclusive: A child sex offender is scheduled to be released from a…
The new species of stick insect called Acrophylla Alta measures in at 40cm long and weighs about the same as a golf ball, at 44 grams.

New Giant Stick Insect Species Discovered in Queensland

A researcher has revealed how scientists made the discovery of a lifetime…

Prime Minister Allocates Millions to Native Title Holders Prior to Yothu Yindi’s Garma Show

The prime minister says a newly established ‘economic partnership’ between government and…
Police battling protesters in court to block Harbour Bridge demonstration

Authorities Take Legal Action to Prevent Protest on Harbour Bridge

NSW Police are currently engaged in a standoff with pro-Palestine supporters regarding…
A WA mother will learn her fate after her newborn baby was found dead in a freezer.

Western Australian Mother Avoids Jail Time After Baby Discovered Deceased in Freezer

The mother of a baby found dead in a freezer after she…

Tour de France Femmes: Local Star Squiban Secures Consecutive Victories

Australia’s Sarah Gigante has kept pace with the Tour de France Femmes…
Hugo Keenan scores the series-winning try at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next week to set up a shot at a whitewash

Ranking the Top 10 Lions Tours: How Does the Class of 2025 Measure Up and Where Would a Whitewash Place Them?

Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions class of 2025 stand on the…