Tanya Raffoul plans to run in Parramatta 2023 state election

A double illness in her family, a plan to create a Hindu school and a disdain for parachuting candidates into the region. Meet the millennial who wants to contest the state seat of Parramatta.

Tanya Raffoul with former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and Western Sydney Minister David Elliott. Picture: Instagram

When North Parramatta’s Tanya Raffoul learned her mum and dad had been diagnosed with cancer this year, the Liberal’s ambitions to improve health care for western Sydney reached another level after she saw inferior facilities at Westmead Hospital.

Her 71-year-old father Tony was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer in February and the news got worse when her and her three siblings found out their mum Amal, 68, had bowel cancer.

Miss Raffoul — who hopes to be preselected as the Liberal candidate for the state election following Parramatta MP Geoff Lee’s retirement — has witnessed her “ultimate hustler” dad receive treatment at the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre at Westmead.

“As a result I’ve had first-hand experience with that centre,’’ the 35-year-old political hopeful said.

“It’s very run down.’’

Though funds have been poured into the neighbouring children’s hospital, $1bn for the clinical services unit at the hospital and surrounding infrastructure such as the light rail, “ultimately something needs to be done about that cancer centre”.

Tanya Raffoul with her boss, David Elliott, and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Instagram

“When people are facing a terminal illness they ought to face superior infrastructure,’’ she said.

“If you look at the number of diseases people from western Sydney face, it’s more severe than what people in NSW face.’

Miss Raffoul has worked for outgoing Western Sydney Minister David Elliott for the past seven years, where she began as a parliamentary adviser, senior policy adviser before becoming the chief of staff. She says many people see her as “too assertive” but she makes no apologies.

“I think there are two types of people; those who wish and hope things change or alternatively, those who want to get in there and prosecute a case and I’m the latter,’’ she said.

Her father, who has run several stonemasonry businesses and can’t wait to get back to work after chemotherapy, migrated from the south of Lebanon in the early 1970s with just $88.

His work ethic and small business background has given his second-born child insights into small business challenges.

Tanya Raffoul describes herself as a fierce advocate for western Sydney. Picture: Instagram

“When it comes to cost of living, in particular I think the burden we’re placing on small businesses in regards to red tape is ridiculous,’’ Miss Raffoul said.

“The red tape just chokes them and it eats up a lot of their profits, and it makes it very difficult to help their customers.’’

She has gained experience not just from working in politics but outside Macquarie St, where the former tax lawyer is also on the board of the Western Sydney Two Blues Rugby Union Club where she works in community engagement.

“It’s not just what I’ve learned in the office and the private sector, I’ve lived experience in the community,’’ she said.

Like their Labor rivals, the Liberals have not finalised nominations yet but Miss Raffoul hopes to pip potential contenders such as perennial candidate Charles Camenzuli in preselection.

She wants to lobby for stage two of Parramatta light rail, saying it’s “meaningless” just to complete the first phase, and would also like to fund a Hindu school for Harris Park.

The Maronite Catholic, who is closely involved in her parish of Our Lady of Lebanon, said there were Christian and Muslim schools but not a Hindu place of education for the thriving subcontinental community, though she concedes “land is scarce” at Harris Park.

The worst-kept secret is that Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis may win preselection for Labor and be a formidable opponent in the state ballot.

“I’m being quite realistic about this, I will be the underdog,’’ Miss Raffoul said.

“I don’t have the same platform as Donna Davis but I have the passion to lead the community. I’m know around the minister’s building as a fierce advocate for western Sydney.’’

Cr Davis would not confirm if she planned to contest the state election but would consider running.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis could switch to state politics. Picture: Damian Shaw

“I’ll consider what’s in the best interests of my community when preselection for the state seat of Parramatta opens,’’ she said.

“I’m committed to working for the people of Parramatta.

“I am really enjoying serving and working hard for the residents of Parramatta as Lord Mayor.

“I’m also humbled at the level of community support and support from the Labor Party that I’ve had over the past few years.’’

However, Alan Mascarenhas said he was strongly considering running after many Labor branch members urged him to put his hand up.

“This is about Parramatta’s future as a global, multicultural city,’’ the 2019 state Epping Labor candidate said.

“Labor already has capable representatives at the federal and mayoral levels. We now have a chance to get the trifecta, selecting a candidate who can make a dynamic contribution in state government.’’

The journalist and former senior adviser to former NSW opposition leader Jodi McKay said he achieved an eight per cent swing against Dominic Perrottet in 2019 when he fought for school upgrades and the restoration of HillsBus services.

A “fierce” western Sydney advocate, Miss Raffoul is perturbed by blow-in candidates or “stars” who are unfamiliar with what makes the community tick.

Miss Raffoul grew up in Merrylands before moving to North Parramatta, loves the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers.

“In terms of my passion for the area, I’m very much born and bred in western Sydney and it’s the only place I know,’’ she said.

“It gives me my sense of belonging, my home, my everything.’’

Originally published as Tanya Raffoul plans to run in Parramatta 2023 state election