Kiama deserves a strong local voice in government
Thursday, 14 August 2025
Media Release by Chris Minns – Labor Premier of NSW
NSW Labor is today announcing proud Kiama local Katelin McInerney as its candidate for the upcoming Kiama by-election.
The by-election will be held on Saturday, 13 September. By-elections are always tough for governments. Labor has not won the seat since 2007 and the Liberals won on primary votes alone in 2019.
But NSW Labor is determined to fight for every vote because Kiama deserves a strong local voice inside the government.
Katelin McInerney grew up in Kiama, attending Minnamurra Public and Kiama High. She now lives in the town with her partner Brian and their young son William.
Her career has been dedicated to standing up for people and their livelihoods.
Katelin started her career as a local journalist and went on to become the first woman to lead the journalists’ union (MEAA Media). In this role she fought to keep public broadcasting strong, protect local newsrooms — especially in regional areas — and ensure essential media workers were paid fairly for the work they do.
She also helped establish Women in Media, a mentoring and support network that connects women across the industry, tackles gender pay inequity and work to make workplaces safer and fairer for the next generation.
For the past two years, Katelin has worked for the region’s peak body for community services and not-for-profits organisation.
She has volunteered with the Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club and has been a community advocate working to build the live music scene in Kiama through the Kiama Epicentre Association and Special Entertainment Precinct project.
Since coming to office, the Minns Labor Government has been working hard to rebuild essential services in Kiama. We know there is still a lot more work to do, but in two years we have:
- Funded and planned a new primary school and public preschool at Calderwood – the new school will include permanent, modern classrooms and open spaces, a new library, hall and covered outdoor learning area (COLA), administration and staff areas support learning classroom and will open Day One, Term One 2028.
- Awarded the contract for a new public preschool to be built at Bomaderry Public School with construction due to get underway towards the end of the year and open by 2027.
- Started construction of the major upgrade at Bomaderry High School to include new Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) workshops, an upgraded VET kitchen, refurbished classrooms and upgraded toilets.
- Significantly reduced teacher vacancies – schools in the Kiama electorate began Term 3 with just 1 permanent teacher vacancy, down from 27 at the same time in 2022 under the Liberals and Nationals – down 96 per cent.
- Upgraded science labs at Kiama High School – delivered refurbished science labs and upgraded preparation areas, the biggest investment in Kiama High School in more than a decade.
- Continued to deliver the new Shellharbour Hospital – $781.9 million for a new hospital with expanded emergency department, rehab and aged care services, due for completion in 2027.
- Progressed the Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital Redevelopment – $440 million for a new ED, ICU, medical wards and mental health unit with construction completion due in late 2026.
- Bomaderry Build-to-Rent Program – 60 new homes at a well-located site in Bomaderry to help unlock affordable rental supply in the Shoalhaven, due for completion in late 2026.
- Delivered on an election commitment to provide the local council with $20 million for the Tripoli Way Extension, Albion Park to ease congestion and improving local traffic flow.
The Minns Labor Government’s plan is clear — rebuild and deliver better essential services, build better communities, and invest to grow the economy, setting NSW up for long-term prosperity without privatisation and without an unfair wages cap.
Attributable to NSW Premier Chris Minns
“We have to be realistic about the challenge ahead.
“This will be a tough seat for Labor to win — but Katelin knows her community, she understands their priorities, and she will work tirelessly to deliver for them.
“Our government is focused on fairness — rebuilding essential services without an unfair wages cap, and without privatisation.
“We’re getting on with delivering for the people of Kiama, but we recognise that the community will have more to say about the needs of this community.”
Attributable to Katelin McInerney, Labor candidate for Kiama
“The Minns Labor Government has already started to deliver for Kiama, but I know there is more work to do.
“If I have the honour of being elected as the Member, I will be a strong local voice and deliver more for our community.
“I will make sure that we continue to deliver the critical infrastructure and services that our community needs and relies on.”
