Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon’s re-election seems certain, but her legal troubles loom over her campaign. Five days after the local council elections on Saturday (September 14), McMahon is due back in court following a recent arrest.

McMahon is set to appear as the defendant at Windsor Local Court on September 19, with her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Bennett, listed as the applicant.

The scandal erupted when McMahon was arrested on Sunday, July 14, after unlawfully entering Bennett’s business premises. McMahon allegedly accessed his computer to search for evidence of an affair. The dramatic incident led to her arrest, with police escorting her to Windsor Police Station. Later she was served with an interim apprehended violence order (AVO).

Unlike in previous elections, where McMahon prominently featured herself in campaign materials, this time she is mostly seen alongside her running mate, Mike Creed, on social media. While McMahon previously filled her personal accounts with promotional content, this election has shifted to the more generic Liberal Party Facebook page. This approach is often used when a candidate expects potential voter backlash, aiming to frame the campaign as a collective party effort rather than spotlighting the individual candidate.

McMahon is not alone in facing personal turmoil during this election period. Byron Bay Mayor Michael Lyon, also seeking re-election, has been charged with common assault and intimidation in a domestic violence case. A court recently rejected Lyon’s attempt to suppress details of the charges, with the presiding magistrate emphasising the public’s right to know about cases involving public officials. The court noted that allowing suppression could imply a “two-tier justice system.”

McMahon’s legal battle comes at a difficult time, especially as she leads the Liberal Party ticket for the upcoming elections. Her nomination, pushed through by Liberal Party headquarters without the usual endorsement process, has caused frustration among local party members. Several told the Hawkesbury Post they were denied input, a breach of standard party procedures, fueling dissatisfaction over the party’s direction and leadership.

While the Liberal Party has declined to comment, internal tensions are clear. The NSW Liberal Party has been under fire since it was revealed that over 130 candidates were not properly nominated for the September 14 elections across 16 councils. As one insider told the Hawkesbury Post, “The real story isn’t just the councils without a Liberal ticket but those fielding illegitimate candidates without proper ratification,” including McMahon’s.

The details of McMahon’s July arrest are documented in police reports. McMahon searched for Bennett throughout the Hawkesbury, visiting several locations, including his mother’s house, sister’s house, and an address in Castlereagh, before arriving at his business, located in the historic Post Office building on Windsor Street, Richmond. She said she entered through an unlocked side door at 9:30 pm, accessed Bennett’s computer, and sent him a photo of its contents. Bennett, watching the scene unfold via CCTV, identified McMahon and called the police, resulting in her arrest.

Following the incident, McMahon was issued an interim AVO that prevents her from threatening, stalking, or harassing Bennett or damaging his property or pets. It also bars her from contacting him, except through legal representatives, and from approaching places where he lives or works.

The following day, McMahon returned to Windsor Police Station to file her own allegations of domestic violence against Bennett, dating back to their time together. Her accusations include an incident where Bennett allegedly swung a Nike bag at her, knocking her down, and hurting her thigh, and another where he allegedly pinned her to a bed during an argument. Bennett has also been served with an interim AVO, though no charges have been filed against him.

Despite the severity of the accusations surrounding McMahon, both the Hawkesbury City Council and the Liberal Party have remained silent on the matter.