Crash victim Veronique Sakr’s mum Bridget Sakr nominates for parliament

The mum of Veronique Sakr, who died with her three cousins in a horror crash at Oatlands, says the tragedy led to ‘a calling’ to help others, and will nominate for a seat in state parliament.

The mother of Oatlands crash ­victim Veronique Sakr has lodged her nomination to become the ­Liberal candidate for the Sydney seat of Strathfield in her quest to ­become a “voice for the voiceless”.

Almost two years after a drunk-driver in a ute mounted the footpath before fatally injuring the 11-year-old and her cousins Antony, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah as they walked to buy an ice cream, Bridget Sakr has embarked on a new journey to give back to the community that helped her through the tragedy of losing her daughter.

Bridget Sakr with a memorial to her daughter Veronique Sakr, who was tragically killed in the Oatlands crash along with three of her cousins.

This will include being an advocate for people suffering from trauma and grief, ensuring the 2026 NSW Road Safety Plan is delivered, and instigating a review of serious driving offences — which she says are convoluted and out of date.

A successful businesswoman with 23 years’ experience in the finance sector, Ms Sakr also wants to use her extensive knowledge to help people secure their own home.

Ms Sakr, whose daughter attended Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, has the backing of senior state Liberals, including Premier Dominic Perrottet, to try to contest the Labor-held seat at the coming by-election, expected to be held early next year.

Ms Sakr, at home in Burwood Heights, with pictures of Veronique, who was just 11 when she died. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“Bridget is an extraordinary and resilient woman who has gone through more than anyone can ever imagine,” Mr Perrottet said.

“She now wants to give back to the Strathfield community that supported her in her time of need and she would make a terrific candidate.”

Since the tragedy, Ms Sakr has immersed herself in initiatives to help people dealing with grief, including launching a weekly prayer gathering for families who might not have the support needed to get through a traumatic event.

The heartFELT — Families Experiencing Loss and Trauma — program has the support of the grief care team at Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria, and includes time for meditation on a theme, discussion, and prayers led by Ms Sakr.

The Sydney University economics graduate has previously stated how it was her faith that enabled her to get through each day.

Ms Sakr — who, prior the tragedy, had never considered politics as a career — said she had received “a calling” to put her hand up and use her profile to help others, a move that would also continue to help her heal.

Veronique’s death has compelled her mother to give back to the community that rallied around her after the crash.

A Liberal source said Ms Sakr had declared that she wanted to enter politics to continue her work in giving victims of trauma a greater voice.

“She wants to be the voice for the voiceless,” the source said.

“She’s a strong-willed, successful businesswoman who can make a difference — a conviction politician who will stand up in parliament. She will not be a seat-warmer. “

Ms Sakr has indicated to the party that she intends to educate society about the impacts of untreated traumatic grief, while providing a “safe place” in the community for people to grieve together.

Her other focus will include a review of serious driving offences in the Crimes Act with a view to creating a stand-alone law, and greater recognition of victims’ rights.

Ms Sakr, a former chief commercial officer at lenders mortgage insurance firm Genworth and who also ran a business with her fiance, also wants to use her experience to help people into homes amid a worsening housing affordability crisis, while finding ways to make it easier for small business to prosper.

Bridget Sakr, being comforted by friends at a memorial just after the tragedy, has immersed herself in initiatives to help people dealing with grief. Picture John Grainger

Held by former Labor leader Jodi McKay, who is quitting politics, Strathfield was won by the Liberals in the 2011 election landslide, only to be reclaimed by Labor four years later.

With a margin of 5 per cent, the Liberals are confident the seat is within striking distance.

Labor has not yet preselected a candidate, although popular Burwood Mayor John Faker is being touted as a possible contender.

Mr Faker was recently seen at a cafe in the days leading up to the local government elections with former prime minister Kevin Rudd and Ms McKay.

As Ms Sakr only joined the Liberal Party last month, she will need to obtain the approval of the NSW State Executive before she can formally become a candidate. It is understood a fax ballot of executive members will occur within days.

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