THE POLL BLUDGER
New South Wales Legislative Assembly Election 2007

KU-RING-GAI
Liberal 18.7%

Ku-ring-gai is an elongated south-to-north electorate bounded to the east by the North Shore Railway and Cowan Creek, and to the west by Lane Cove River. Suburbs in between include West Killara in the south, Pymble in the centre and Turramurra in the north. The redistribution has shifted the north-western boundary further out of the city, adding more than 7000 voters around Waitara from Hornsby. The boundary with Davidson has shifted westwards, removing more than 6000 voters in Gordon East, Pymble and St Ives. The seat has been safe for the Liberals since its creation in 1973.

Barry O'Farrell (right) became member in 1999 with the abolition of both his own seat of Northcott and the neighbouring seat of Gordon (which was famously held by DLP member Kevin Harrold from 1973 to 1976, after Liberal incumbent Harry Jago neglected to nominate because he was unaware the closing date had been changed). A preselection showdown between O'Farrell and Gordon MP Jeremy Kinross was averted by Kinross's surprise decision to retire. The existing member for Ku-ring-gai, Stephen O'Doherty, was accommodated in Hornsby. O'Farrell enjoyed a swift rise through Liberal ranks, reaching the front bench during his first term and the deputy leadership immediately after the 1999 election. At that time he also had backing for a move against Kerry Chikarovski, including from her eventual successor John Brogden, but he declined to proceed.

Relations between O'Farrell and Brogden evidently soured thereafter, as O'Farrell vocally backed Chikarovski during Brogden's successful March 2002 leadership challenge. He subsequently lost the deputy leadership to Gosford MP Chris Hartcher and was dumped from the front bench altogether. A reshuffle following the departure of former leader Peter Collins in September saw his return as Shadow Education Minister and Shadow Special Minister of State, and he recovered the deputy leadership after the 2003 election. O'Farrell was considered a front-runner to succeed John Brogden as leader in August 2005 but again declined to contest, claiming he could not count on the loyalty of the party and talking of a "whispering campaign" about his past.

ASSESSMENT: Liberal retain