Grieving mother turns personal tragedy into independent bid for Manly seat
Elouise Massa, whose son died after medical errors at Northern Beaches Hospital, is running as an independent in Manly for the March state election.
The loss of her son Joe to catastrophic medical errors at the privately run Northern Beaches Hospital in 2024 propelled Elouise Massa into public advocacy, leading to a $190 million takeover of the hospital by the Minns government and the passage of “Joe’s Law” prohibiting further privatisation of emergency, surgical and inpatient services. Together with her husband Danny, she also campaigned against new public-private partnerships in health.
Now, three months after giving birth to her fourth child, Annie, Massa is contesting the Manly electorate as an independent in the upcoming March state election. She frames her campaign around “love, joy and freedom,” emphasizing independent decision-making on legislation. Massa criticises the Liberal Party’s prospects in the northern beaches, citing low primary votes and the need for action on cost of living, small-business support, transport, housing and infrastructure. While not aligned with the teal movement’s Community Strong Australia, she seeks to continue her relentless push for community change.
Why it matters
Massa’s candidacy could reshape Manly’s long-standing Liberal hold and influence NSW’s balance of power.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report Massa’s independent candidacy and her successful campaign to move the hospital into the public system, but left-leaning coverage emphasizes her personal tragedy, anti-privatisation activism and criticism of the Liberal Party, while centrist coverage presents a straightforward factual account.
LEFT
Frames Massa as a grieving mother turned activist whose personal loss fuels a reformist, anti-privatisation agenda and sharp criticism of the Liberal Party.
CENTER
Presents Massa’s candidacy and prior hospital campaign in a neutral, factual manner.
The left emphasises
- catastrophic medical errors
- $190 million takeover
- Joe’s Law
- prohibiting further privatisation
In this story
