Bradfield – Australia 2025

Eg. just because some commentators might cry foul if Dutton were to do this to a male barber doesn’t mean that it’s not a nothingburger. If anything the fact that politicians can generally shrug these off illustrates the point. The argument against it *not* being a nothingburger is predicated on the notion of the teals being perceived differently to other politicians.

Isn’t this the comment Adda, from the article above- ‘That was amazing, and I didn’t even have sex with you.’

A bit more that just better than sex.

“That was amazing” – presumably, whatever treatment she received – was better than sex. “With you” is obviously where it’s mangled. But without any other context in these articles (I wonder why) that is all we are left with. I am of the opinion the electorate can excuse that as a verbal fumble. We’ll see just whether that is the case or not but so far there hasn’t been anything beyond pure opinion in these comments.

My few cents:
– If Boele were a man, this would be a lot worse. (Let me be clear that I’m not describing how I believe things ought to be. I’m describing how they are.)
– I don’t think this would be judged much differently overall had this been a (female) candidate of any other political persuasion of affiliation.
– However, certain media outlets may hold double standards along political lines. The Australian is sure to go on about this but would not do the same were the comments made by a conservative Liberal candidate. The reverse may be true for left-leaning media outlets.
– To say that this somehow undermines the Teals’ platform of integrity and doing politics differently is to claim that Boele’s remark somehow constitutes corrupt behaviour, dishonesty, or negative campaigning. That is drawing a very long bow.

No, that isn’t what it says. It says she didn’t expect something that good without having to have had sex, presumably with the hair dresser. The ‘with you’ is irrelevant, it is definitely implied.

If Boele loses narrowly, I can also see this being cited as the reason for her loss even if it’s not necessarily true. We’d have to see more substantive evidence of this story coming up on the ground, preferably from less partisan sources.

By that, I mean more substantive evidence of voters citing it as a negative, or polling evidence.

I have found some more context in a Tele article. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/independent-bradfield-candidate-nicolette-boele-apologises-after-being-banned-from-local-hairdresser-over-inappropriate-sexual-joke-at-young-staff/news-story/d367d0ee999d48349c0b87906bf1d633

“The comments were made after her hair was washed and they were directed at a 19-year-old girl.”
“She allegedly said that was amazing and I didn’t even have sex with you.”

So the context appears to be in line with what I was guessing. She had some kind of treatment and got her hair washed, to which she tries to say that it was better than sex. I don’t see how else to view that comment, unless you’re making a claim she’s propositioning the woman, which I haven’t seen any source seriously claim. It’s obviously not a good comment to make, but I still don’t see what would make this a terminal lapse.

The incident was reported to 2GB by the salon owners husband

Are you serious Adda? There is zero way you can read what you are claiming into the comment. Zero, nada, none.

At no point does she say or imply it was better than sex, she implies it was so good it could only be gotten by giving extra (i.e. having sex with the hairdresser).

https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/teal-banned-from-sydney-hairdresser-for-sex-joke/news-story/da706d4e3c9b647dcd1b9c8e85880e7a

“The independent candidate for the battleground seat of Bradfield has been banned from a local hairdresser for joking that getting her hair washed was better than sex.”

Would you look at that? It’s in the first line of this article.

You’re free to have your interpretation of the facts but I’m pretty sure most observers would find this to be the normal view of the situation.

And it sounds like you’re claiming she propositioned her, or at least I’m not sure how else you could insist that “could only be gotten by given extra” could mean. Which no source has claimed.

But the only way you can interpret the joke is my way – that you would only expect something that good by having sex with someone. It is not even particularly new, it is simply an after the fact variation of ‘Who do I have to have sex with to get a drink around here’. That line is as old as the hills.

Some of the younger journo’s might not have heard of it, having lived a sheltered life and all, but Boele would absolutely have been using it in that context. Otherwise you would say straight up it was better than sex, which is another comment as old as the hills.

I do find it interesting that I see her comment so obviously one way and you see it so obviously a different way.

That was Samantha Maiden who authored that piece, who I’m fairly sure would be in touch with the typical slang of a middle aged white collar woman like Boele. And it lines up to exactly what I said. So if there is any source I would be cite as a reliable interpretation, it would be hers.

A storm in a tea cup

@MLV

I’m not sure how to interpret your arguments other than that you are making an assertion about Boele’s intention behind the remark. Intention and interpretation are two different things – and fumbling is one source of discrepancy between them.

Agree Nicholas, unless we know that Ms Boele said those words in a sexually provocative manner then the most reasonable assumption is that she made a really bad and insensitive joke. As I don’t believe she has had trouble with making sexually explicit remarks in the past, one can reasonably conclude that this event is just a lapse of judgement on her behalf that is likely to have minimal impact on the campaign overall.

Yes I do – I think the intention is worse than what is being implied, but there is not a lot in it and I think some are really, really trying to downplay this incident.

To be clear, it is the double standards applied here that gets me. If this were a man or a Liberal/National woman they would be forced to step down before polling day. Because it is a Teal it is a storm in a teacup.

I am reminded of the the Liberal woman in parliament talking about having a disabled child and a Greens woman yelled out ‘you should have kept your legs shut’. If that was the other way around it would have been a story for weeks but as it was it lasted about 12 hours in the news cycle.

Oh, by the way I don’t think it was anything other than a really poorly placed joke – the sort of thing you might say to an older woman who you had a rapport with.

Nicolette Boele’s conduct in making a sexual remark to a 19-year-old female apprentice at a hairdresser was inappropriate and troubling for several reasons. Here’s an analysis of why this behavior is problematic and how the Bradfield electorate can be made aware of it.

Why This Conduct is Problematic
Violation of Professional Boundaries: Boele’s comment—”That hair wash was so good, and I didn’t even have sex with you”—is a lewd remark that crosses professional boundaries. Such comments can create discomfort and undermine a safe and respectful workplace environment.

Impact on Workplace Culture: Sexual jokes, even when framed as humor, can contribute to a hostile or unwelcoming environment, especially for young or vulnerable employees. This can discourage individuals from speaking up or feeling safe in their workplace.

Public Accountability: As a public figure running for office, Boele’s actions reflect on her judgment and character. Candidates are held to higher standards of conduct, and such behavior raises questions about her ability to represent constituents responsibly.

Legal and Ethical Concerns: While this incident may not meet the legal threshold for sexual harassment, it demonstrates poor judgment and insensitivity to the broader implications of workplace respect and equality.

ALP out handing out material this morning- a first time I have seen this pre election day.
Make of it what you will.

I think you will find they have been at the other train stations in recent weeks Sabena, just perhaps not the one you frequent. It doesn’t take $1.8M to connect with voters- just some hard working and early rising volunteers.

The YouGov MRP poll gave Labor a median forecast of 20% primary vote, which is not to be scoffed at when they are basically ignored in the media for this electorate – not far behind the “wildly popular” Teal IND, who let it not be forgotten, only got 20.9% in 2022

If Boele were a man (or a Liberal) saying that they would of been dumped. but when your a a woke female climate 200 candidate you can just get away with it

Liberal Party volunteers, or employees, were at Turramurra Railway Station this morning.
Unusual for the Liberal Party to be putting resources into what is traditionally one of their safest seats.

@john hard to be dumped when you are an independent

Sydney Morning Herald reported on 6 April 2025: Star Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian was named in a $650,000 settlement former political staffer Rachelle Miller reached with the Commonwealth over discrimination and harassment claims.

Miller worked for then-cabinet ministers Alan Tudge and Michaelia Cash from 2016 to 2018 but disclosed in 2020 that she had an affair with Tudge and complained that the two, along with Cash’s one-time staffer Gisele Kapterian, had discriminated against her and failed to provide a safe work environment.

Full article: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/star-liberal-candidate-named-in-discrimination-settlement-20250404-p5lp8e.html

Think teal will win here
Lib loss

I can confirm that in Chatswood, a large number of Chinese shopfronts have bilingual Andy Yin corflutes. There are some posters for Gisele Kapterian and even fewer for Nicolette Boele. Many of those that had Boele signs had one or the other. I’ve seen Andy Yin’s army of volunteers out and about in Chatswood. It’s a lot bigger than I first thought. Most of them are either over 60 or under 25, including teenagers.

I haven’t been north of Chatswood in a while. The mood on the ground might be different.

“Can you imagine if Dutton said that to a young man who had just cut his hair?”
@Mostly Labor Votor
I don’t think Dutton get haircuts.

Does anyone have any info/confirmation on who Andy Yin will preference (or whether he’s running on an open ticket)

Interesting to see that the pictures of John Howard and Tony Abbott have gone from Andy Yin’s website. Also, when googling the Australian National Chinese Business Forum that he claims to be Chair of – you get the 404 of no website. It is almost that his website has gone into hibernation as there are no news or events listed.

Kylea Tink, to her credit, scored well in the Willoughby LGA part in 2022 i.e. Chatswood, Artarmon, St Leonards Etc. I’m not entirely sure if Boele can replicate her strength plus get swings in the middle and northern parts in the old Bradfield.

Andy Yin is like the wild card. His campaign on the ground looked strong in Chatswood last time I was there. He had lots of canvassors and could drive a wedge between the teal and Liberal. He seems quite well-connected given he’s in his late 20s (I think).

Usually, teals and centrist independents, run open tickets with no preferences on their HTV cards. I remember a Liberal-turned-independent candidate in Reid last election put Labor ahead of the Liberals so anything can happen.

As a resident in the Bradfield electrate, and having worked closely on the campaign, one thing is rather clear, whilst the teals might be well resourced, its not translating to votes. The Liberals have been much better prepared this time around.

Can you elaborate @Angus Moody? What are the Liberals doing to sandbag so effectively here and why is there a lack of ROI from the Teal campaign in your view?

For those that think Andy Yin is prominent around Chatswood, what primary vote % do you think he will draw?

It s a crowded field – LIB, ALP, Teal, GRN, Yin can only add up to about 95%. Would be interested in predictions

Andy Yin’s website has not been updated for quite a while – no news, no events. Who knows what sort of game he is playing. No evidence of a how to vote card. What will be interesting is how much presence he will have at pre poll voting. Would be also good to know if his volunteers are just that or being paid.

@High Street it would depend on the polling booth. In areas with a higher Chinese population like Chatswood and Pymble, my guess would be roughly 10-20%, give or take.

However, overall I think he would have a primary vote % of under 10% in Bradfield.

@Lurking I asked him personally and he still isn’t sure where to suggest his preferences to.

@Votante Agreed. Made me chuckle with the haircut comment!

@Wombater April 16, 2025 at 9:17 pm
Thx for the update with Yin’s Preferences.

There’s probably a chance he might run on an open ticket now, which might make Bradfield more interesting and unpredictable.

Thanks Wombater – yes, I meant overall. I agree, I think its probably in the 6 to 8% range. Still, could be impactful in a close race

Unless he has some presence on Chinese social media Andy Yin’s vote is going to be pretty low. This is last poltical shot as no one will ever trust him again. He obviously fancies himself as a player but just comes across as a ‘try hard’ waiting to be brought down. He might come across OK in the Chinese community but it goes down badly with Anglos – not dissimilar to Gladys Liu who had quite a talent for getting the audience wrong as I witnessed a few times.

Trumpet of Patriots’ HTV card is tactical rather than ideological. Their tactic is putting incumbent parties last across the country. Many of their HTVs have independents with a shot, including teals, as second.

In Bradfield, it’s:
1. ToP
2. Nicolette Boele
3. Andy Yin
Liberals last

I reckon top will probably get 2% max I do t tho k they will follow their htvs they might vote top 1 as a protest but go back to their normal parties after.

So of the two opposing theories about why Andy Yin was placed into the race, it does seem that he is there to do damage to the endorsed Liberal candidate from the moderate faction.

Teal IND above Liberal and Labor above both.

10 days of campaigning left!
The mystery of what Andy Yin is doing in the race continues to perplex me. People were speculating that he was a stalking horse for the Libs, presumably to attract innocent votes from the Chinese community and recommend their preferences to Kapterian. Instead, he’s recommending preferences to first Labor and then Boele (including a Chinese language-specific HTV). So is it just his grudge against the Libs, or possibly his faction’s grudge against the dominant NSW order? (Is Warren Mundine somehow behind this!? Joking but also…)
There are so many ponderables here. Has the teal vote topped out? Fairly certain she’ll still do better than Labor, and make it to the 2PP. Will the national swing to the Libs be offset by the loss of Fletcher’s (seemingly well deserved) personal vote? Does the media attention for the preselection help Kapterian among educated voters, who may now see her as teal-adjacent? Does Yin attract hard-right Lib voters who want to send a message but direct their preference to Kapterian, or does he capture a segment of the Chinese Australian market who may disproportionately obey the HTV and give Boele an indirect shot in the arm? Do ToP’s preferences make any dent, or is it not a big enough segment to have an impact? (For what it’s worth, I don’t think teal-inclined voters will change their mind over the unfortunate Boele joke that splashed in the media a few weeks ago. Yes, it was unfortunate taste when you’re an electoral candidate, and yes people rightly pointed out that a male candidate would have faced more scrutiny. But it was clearly an awkward joke rather than anything malevolent, and it would startle me in an election about cost-of-living, housing, foreign relations, and so much more, if anyone made their federal election vote based on such a matter. Or, rather, that the people who would be offended by a woman doing that are already not inclined to vote for her.)
Things are clearly shifting here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a teal revolution. But without the anger from last time, and with a moderate female candidate on the Libs’ side, I can’t quite get the numbers to work. Lib hold.

Votante Palmer has rejigged his HTVs as of last night after what he claimed was hacking by teals. but in reality it was a backlash against his preferencing teals over libs

@Sammy as I’ve said elsewhere, as with most of the seats teals either won or came close in, there’d be a cohort of people who thought they weren’t really serious last time and didn’t have a shot, but will change this time, and Dutton isn’t a good image for this sort of seat.

Sammy, Fletcher didn’t have a personal vote-rather the reverse in my view.Boelle might have won if Fletcher were contesting, and I think that is why he retired.
There was a comment in the Australian that there was a debate between Kapterian and Boelle which Kapterian won easily.
I wasn’t there,so obviously I don’t know.Does anyone have any further information?

You think Fletcher was a drag? I don’t know loads about him but he seems like a fairly uncontroversial moderate, and a decent fit for a tealish seat, no?

@Clarinet of Communists
Apart from Frydenburg, the Liberal moderatres were wiped out by the Teal/Greens wave. Falinshi, Zimerman, Tim Wilson, Trevor Evans, Celia Hammond, Julian Simonds in Ryan. Fiona Martin in Reid. Fletcher was just fortunate that Boehle is a bit polarising, imo.