Sloane hoping to take baton from Upton
'I'm looking forward to a long, productive, successful and respectful relationship with a community I've grown to very much love and respect'
It was on a bus trip between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem five years ago that Liberal candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said to retiring member Gabrielle Upton that she’d “really love to contribute more to our community”.
Upton invited Sloane, then CEO of a children’s education non-profit, to join her Liberal Party branch. Now, she hopes to be elected as her successor.
“I have an enormous amount of respect for her work ethic. Whenever I come across people in the Jewish community, there’s a great deal of affection for Gabrielle,” Sloane said. “I keep making the promise that I will be there to emulate all those qualities I love about her.”
Since being selected as the candidate, Sloane said she has met with a range of Jewish leaders, including the Jewish Board of Deputies and various rabbis, as well as visiting organisations such as Jewish House, Our Big Kitchen and Mum for Mum.
“I have to say the response to me has been so lovely and generous,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to a long, productive, successful and respectful relationship with a community I’ve grown to very much love and respect.”
Asked what issues had been raised on the hustings, Sloane said, “I’ve become very aware of the issues around security for the Jewish community.
“I was pleased to see the commitment by the Perrottet government of $10 million towards security in faith-based communities.”
She added she is “deeply disturbed” by the rise in antisemitic behaviours in the community.
“I pledge that I will be there standing side by side with members of our community as we fight for more tolerance, more understanding and ultimately better education,” she said.
Sloane called the Australia–Israel Chamber of Commerce women leaders trip five years ago “life changing” due to friendships formed, insights gained and being inspired by the tech and startup culture.
“In particular, visiting Jerusalem was an incredibly special experience. Just to walk the streets and to see the stories firsthand.”
Turning back to the election, she said, “First and foremost, regardless of whether we get into government or opposition, my role is to be the member for Vaucluse. My priority will always be our community.
“It’s going to be an incredible privilege if I’m elected on March 25 to represent a community which is so beautiful, so diverse.”
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