Sophie Scamps
Sophie Scamps | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Mackellar | |
| Assumed office 21 May 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jason Falinski |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 March 1971 |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney UNSW University of Oxford |
| Occupation |
|
| Website | https://www.sophiescamps.com.au/ |
Sophie Anna Rebecca Scamps (born 15 March 1971[1]) is an Australian independent politician, general practitioner, and former athlete. In the 2022 Australian federal election, she was elected as the Member for Mackellar in the Australian House of Representatives.
Biography
Scamps grew up in Turramurra, New South Wales.[2] She qualified for the 1992 Olympics as a middle distance runner.[3]
Scamps attended the University of Sydney, where she earned a Master of Public Health.[citation needed] Later, she received a Master of Public Health from University of New South Wales, and a master of Science with honours from the University of Oxford.[4] She was a founder of the Our Blue Dot environmental movement, which campaigns for waste reduction and carbon neutrality.[5]
In 2020, using the “kitchen table conversations” model created by former Indi independent Cathy McGowan, Scamps and four like-minded locals created the 'Voices of Mackellar' group.[6][7] The Voices of Mackellar is a non-partisan community group established to engage residents in the democratic process.[8]
Backed by Climate 200, as well as a large grass-roots local campaign, Scamps announced her candidacy as an independent in December 2020.[9] Scamps was one of the 23 independents who ran for the 2022 Australian federal election. Her campaign focused on the issues of climate, integrity and gender diversity.[10] Scamps noted that her candidacy was triggered when she received a survey from the incumbent Jason Falinski which omitted climate change as an issue important to Mackellar residents.[11]
Scamps' surname is Belgian and pronounced 'Scomps'.[12]
Media
Scamps has been in various Australian media, including The Sydney Morning Herald,[11] The Australian, The Guardian,[13] and Women's Agenda.[14] Her coverage has been focused on the need for action on climate change. She has been labelled as a part of the so-called 'teal wave,' a movement of moderate independent candidates whose focus on climate change has challenged traditionally Coalition safe seats.
Running career
Scamps was a middle distance runner in her early life, and qualified for the Olympic games. She competed internationally for Australia, and was a member of the gold medal winning 4 x 400 m women's relay, at the World Junior Championships in 1990. The team set a new under 20 Australian Record, which is still standing. [15]
Her personal bests include:[16]
- 400 m – 52.67s – Sydney, Australia - 1991
- 800 m – 2:02:2 – Canberra
- 4 × 400 m relay – 3:30:38 – Deveti Septemvri Stadium, Plodiv (1990)
References
- ^ "Sophie SCAMPS | Profile | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- ^ Coultan, Mark (23 January 2022). "Mackellar Independent Sophie Scamps Heeds Climate Change Concerns". Pittwater Online News. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ "Why GP decided to run in blue-ribbon seat". smh.com.au. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ "About Sophie Scamps". www.betterfutures.org.au. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Challenge for Mackellar". northernbeachesadvocate.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ "Why GP decided to run in a blue ribbon seat". sophiescamps.com.au. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ "Dr Sophie Scamps | GP & Co-Founder of Mackellar Rising". Better Futures. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "Voices of Mackellar". voicesofmackellar.com.au. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ "Independent Candidates". climate200.com.au. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ Pillay, Div (20 January 2022). "Will the Independent women standing in 2022 listen and act for diverse voices?". Women's Agenda. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ a b Maley, Jacqueline (4 December 2021). "'He voted with Barnaby Joyce every time': Why GP decided to run in blue-ribbon seat". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "The People at Narrabeen Family Medical - Dr Nicholas Bernard, Dr Vesna Kalajdzic, Dr Kate Hall, Dr Heidi Dawson, Dr Gabriella Legradi, Dr Sophie Scamps, Dr Sue Hartley, Dr Elicia Rodas, Dr Fiona Bernard".
- ^ "Scott Morrison hints federal Icac could still be legislated before next election". the Guardian. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ Pillay, Div (20 January 2022). "Will the Independent women standing in 2022 listen and act for diverse voices?". Women's Agenda. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "Athletics – Sophie Scamps (Australia)". www.the-sports.org. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "Sophie SCAMPS | Profile | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 13 February 2022.