Maria Kovacic, Charles Camenzuli, Felicity Findlay run for Liberal preselection

As the battle to represent the federal seat of Parramatta heats up, a prominent, ‘genuine’ businesswoman woman ‘who gets things done’ has emerged as a contender vying to represent the Liberals.

Western Sydney Women co-director Amanda Rose has called for major political parties to stop ignoring women and says the organisation’s co-founder Maria Kovacic is the best, fresh-faced person the Liberals should pick for the federal seat of Parramatta.

Ms Kovacic has nominated for Liberal preselection for the federal key seat of Parramatta, which has been open since Julie Owens announced her retirement in October.

Ms Kovacic was an ANZ franchisee for 16 years, is a chair for the Hills Community Aid, on the steering committee of the Parramatta Eels Women@Eels and is president of the Berowra Federal Electorate Conference and Hornsby State Electoral Conference.

“She’s a very strong woman, she won’t get fazed,’’ Ms Rose said, adding that she’s “genuine but the thing is she gets politics — she understands all of that but she’s not a wheeler and dealer.

“She’s about getting it done. She had her own business as a mortgage broker, she’s worked with charity, she’s on the franchise council doing stuff and helping us and helping other people constantly.’’

Western Sydney Women co-founder Maria Kovacic (right). Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Along with Ms Kovacic, of West Pennant Hills, perennial candidate Charles Camenzuli and former Hornsby councillor and Cheltenham resident Felicity Findlay have nominated for preselection.

However, nominations were extended to January 14 because a senior Liberal source said head office was unhappy with the field of hopefuls vying for Parramatta, which Labor holds by a marginal 3.5 per cent.

But Ms Rose said Ms Kovacic was the new blood Parramatta needed, particularly noting Mr Camenzuli has “had his chance”.

“Fair enough you didn’t win so be it, but since then what have you done to build your profile, to add value to the community, what have you done to build that credibility and that track record that would make anyone think ‘yeah give them another shot because, yeah, they’ve got impact’?”

Structural engineer Charles Camenzuli defended his community contribution and said he had made submissions to improve building the building industry and had polled well when he contested despite not winning the federal seat twice.

“In 2010 I got 3 per cent above national average in Parramatta and in 2019 I think I got over 4 per cent above national average,’’ the Wentworthville resident said.

Small Business Women Australia and Western Sydney Women co-founder Amanda Rose. Picture: Monique Harmer

“That shows I do have considerable standing in the community.’’

Ms Rose — who ruled out running herself — called for the Liberal Party to boost its female representation.

“We’re 50 per cent of the population,’’ she said.

“Stop ignoring us.

“I don’t mind if it’s a male or female but I just think based on the statistics of the Liberal Party, they are way behind with female representation.

“When you’re given the opportunity of someone (like Maria) who is literally ticking more boxes that you can think of, don’t just say you want more women in the party and then literally overlook the woman who, by merit, only is more qualified than the others.’’

Ms Rose wants the next Parramatta federal leader not to overlook grassroots issues.

“They need someone who can consider all facets of Parramatta, not just the business community, not everything’s about the business community,’’ she said.

Felicity Findlay.

Charles Camenzuli is not letting two defeats for the Parramatta federal seat deter him. Picture: Jordan Shields

“Even though the business community’s big, infrastructure’s big but we need to bring back small business after lockdown, especially after Parramatta light rail, they need help.

“There’s people who have small families, they have jobs, their children go to school in the area. That’s the uniqueness of a good candidate. You need to be able to talk business, talk politics and the next minute have a heart.’’

Ms Findlay and Ms Kovacic were approached for comment but declined to talk under directions from the Liberal Party.

The senior Liberal source Parramatta said state Liberal MP Geoff Lee was no longer vying for a federal seat. Mr Lee was contacted for comment.

The source said Prime Minister Scott Morrison approached Seven Hills state Liberal MP Mark Taylor to run for Parramatta but he declined.

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Originally published as Maria Kovacic, Charles Camenzuli, Felicity Findlay run for Liberal preselection