Election 2025: Chifley candidates and what they stand for
Chifley has been a Labor seat since it’s creation in the 1960s. Meet the candidates vying for the seat on May 3, and read what they stand for.
Blacktown
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blacktown. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The seat of Chifley, named after former prime minister Ben Chifley, stretches out from Rooty Hill, Doonside, Woodcroft, Dean Park, parts of Blacktown and Marayong, and all the suburbs of the Mt Druitt housing estate.
Since the seat’s creation in 1969, it has only ever been held by a member of the Australian Labor Party, though this hasn’t stopped other parties from trying.
This masthead contacted every candidate running in the election with the same questions.
The candidates’ responses have been published in full.
Sukhjinder Pal Singh – The Greens
My name is Sukhjinder Pal Singh, and I am the Greens candidate for Chifley. I live in the Blacktown local government area, and my family and friends call this place home. I am deeply connected to this community and share in the values and experiences that shape our lives here. It would be a great honour for me to represent the people of the Chifley electorate, where aspirations are high but opportunities and resources are not all they could be. I am committed to tackling the challenges that can hold local people back and make it hard for them to realise their dreams.
What inspired you to run for the seat?
I’m running because our community deserves a voice that truly understands and represents it. I live in the Blacktown LGA. My family, my friends, my neighbours — we all face the same daily struggles.
As a migrant, a person of colour, and someone who’s experienced inequality first-hand, I know what it means to feel unheard in a political system built to favour the powerful.
What inspired me is simple: I want to fight for a future where dignity, fairness and compassion aren’t just buzzwords, but the foundation of every policy. I want to bring real, people-powered change to parliament.
Because this community has looked after me — and now it’s my turn to give back and stand up for us all.
Whatdo you see as the biggest issues for this election and how do they apply to the region?
The biggest issues we face are hitting hard right here in Chifley.
Families are breaking under the pressure of skyrocketing costs — groceries, rent, bills, all going up while wages stagnate. Housing has gone from being a basic right to a distant dream for too many. And while we suffer, fossil fuel companies and billionaires are pocketing record profits.
The climate crisis isn’t far away — it’s already here. Western Sydney is facing hotter summers, poor air quality, and a future at risk.
And through it all, marginalised communities — First Nations people, migrants, young people — are being left behind, over-policed, and under-represented.
These issues aren’t isolated. They’re deeply connected. And they demand urgent, honest, community-first solutions.
What is your top three wishlist for the electorate?
If I could deliver three things for Chifley, they would be:
1. Affordable housing for all – Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to live. I want to end the crisis and push for public and genuinely affordable housing, not more handouts to property developers.
2. Real cost of living relief – We need free public healthcare, cheaper public transport, and stronger wages. No one should have to choose between heating their home and feeding their kids.
3. Action on climate with justice at its heart – That means no more coal and gas handouts. It means clean energy, green jobs, and support for workers and communities through the transition. We protect people and the planet — together.
Chifley is full of hardworking, kind, diverse people who just want a fair go. I’m running to make sure we get it.
Leigh Burns – Independent
I am not a career politician, nor do I wish to be. I am a worker and a mum. And I’m here to serve this community.
I have lived in the area for decades, and I have seen this electorate taken for granted by political parties for too many years at local, state and federal level.
I have worked at both Western Sydney university, and Westmead, Blacktown/Mt Druitt hospitals where I was front and centre of the issues facing education and health.
What inspired you to run for the seat?
Having lived here for 33 years, I got tired of the broken promises, under delivery and the community being taken for granted. Each election whether its local, state or federal, politicians wheel out their promises and offer hope but it rarely comes to fruition. I am at a time in my life where I can devote myself to improving the outcomes for this area by holding government to account.
Whatdo you see as the biggest issues for this election and how do they apply to the region?
The biggest issues in my area are roads, housing/rental affordability and cost of living. People have to decide between groceries or paying rent. Then they go to fill up and get slugged at the bowser. They are scared of receiving their next power bill, and before they could go to the doctor and its all bulk billed now they need their Medicare card and between $30-70 or they wait hours to see a doctor. People are feeling the pinch in every direction as they try and stretch their income further. We have a rising rate of homelessness in this area among young families and older retirees.
What is your top three wishlist for the electorate?
Cut the fuel excise by 20c going forward, not just for 12 months. Scrap renewables and burn clean coal, as well as working towards supplementing coal power with energy recovery facilities that turn putrescible food waste into energy. Get back to reliable energy that we are not paying a ridiculous amount for. Both of these will take pressure off people’s hip pocket. Commit to investing money on upgrading existing roads in a set timeline. Before new estates go in – plan ahead and estimate the expansion of existing roads before the chaos and inundation occurs.
Ed Husic – Australian Labor Party
I was raised in western Sydney and educated at Blacktown South Public School and Mitchell High School. I was among the initial wave of students to graduate from the University of Western Sydney. Since I was elected to federal parliament in 2010 I have fought hard for local jobs, education, infrastructure and decent healthcare because I know how important they are to this community.
What inspired you to run for the seat again?
When I put my hand up to represent our community, I am committed to always speaking up and doing everything I can to make sure our area gets its fair share. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. A lot of times it’s felt like we just had to ‘wait our turn’ when it came to investment in our area. We’re too impatient to wait, we need a fair share now.
Whatdo you see as the biggest issues for this election and how do they apply to the region?
1. Health
One of the biggest things I pushed for and locked down is the Rooty Hill Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. I fought hard for it because our community deserves better access to affordable healthcare.
Since it opened, over 11,000 people have been treated. No appointment needed, no need to go through long waits at the emergency department of Mount Druitt Hospital – just walk in to the Clinic with your Medicare card.
Affordable healthcare is a big deal — that’s why protecting Medicare and giving families the care they need, close to home is so important.
2. Infrastructure
Travelling on Richmond Road has been a punish for too long. I’ve urged Federal and State Liberal governments to fix this for years. Nothing happened until new governments were elected. Now it’s happening.
As part of a $1bn local roads plan, a joint $520m will be invested in fixing Richmond Road working with the NSW Government. A new flyover from the M7 will replace the mess that is the current jammed intersection at Rooty Hill Road North.
3. Education
I want to make it as easy as possible for young people in Chifley to get to uni. I fought to get two university study hubs in our area — one in Mount Druitt, another in Emerton. I want our kids to chase their dreams without having to travel ages to get support.
The hubs give local students a space to study, access uni services, and feel supported right here in 2770.
We’ve delivered more than $6m through the Albanese Government’s Schools Upgrade Fund to improve classrooms, learning areas and playgrounds across Mount Druitt.
What is your top three wishlist for the electorate?
I want to keep fighting for better cost of living support, more health access, and better infrastructure.
I’ve worked hard to make sure our community gets its fair share — and there’s more to do. I’ll always stand up for Chifley and the people who call it home.
Rohan Laxmanalal – Animal Justice Party
Hi, I’m Rohan Laxmanalal, your local Animal Justice Party (AJP) candidate for Chifley. I grew up in Western Sydney and have a background in finance and environmental markets. I’ve run in 5 elections, and outside of campaigns, I stay active – supporting climate groups, running education sessions, and advocating for a kinder, fairer future. Actions speak louder than words, and I believe voters deserve candidates who show up year-round, not just at election time.
What inspired you to run for the seat?
I believe politics should be about compassion and common sense. Living in Western Sydney, I’ve seen first-hand the challenges our community faces. I want to be a voice for positive change, advocating for both people and animals, and ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Whatdo you see as the biggest issues for this election and how do they apply to the region?
Cost of living, climate, and health are front of mind for many of us. Our food system is actually driving all 3 – it’s making people sick, destroying the environment, and pushing up everyday costs.
Only around 6.5 per cent of adults and 4.6 per cent of kids eat enough vegetables/legumes, and that’s linked to rising disease and healthcare costs. Meanwhile, methane emissions from animal agriculture are accelerating climate change, and native habitats are being destroyed for grazing and feed crops.
We need bold, smart policy to shift toward affordable, Aussie-grown fruits, veggies, legumes and protein alternatives that are better for our health, farmers, and the planet.
What is your top three wishlist for the electorate?
A more emotionally resilient, connected community – support for nationwide initiatives that empower people with tools like meditation, breathwork, and personal development. Too many Australians are feeling isolated, anxious, or overwhelmed, and we’re seeing the effects ripple through relationships, families, and society. We need to shift toward prevention, not just crisis response – helping people build inner calm, emotional intelligence, and stronger connections through evidence-backed approaches and ancient wisdom alike.
Allan Green – Liberal Party
I am a proud Blacktown local and have lived in our area for nearly 50 years.
I have taught at a secondary school and now works at a local small business.
I’m currently a Blacktown City councillor and have over 20 years of experience in helping local families through the Lions Club, the Blacktown and District Historical Society and through his church.
I understand that families and small businesses in Chifley are hurting and that they deserve better.
I have the experience to fight for what our community needs – cost of living relief right now and a long-term plan for a stronger economy.
A Dutton Liberal Government will get us back on track.
What inspired you to run for the seat?
I understand that families and small businesses in Chifley are hurting and that they deserve better.
Whatdo you see as the biggest issues for this election and how do they apply to the region?
The cost of living, health care, housing affordability and community safety are major issues in Chifley.
What is your top three wishlist for the electorate?
Cost of living relief, more affordable homes and better quality healthcare which are all part of the Liberal Plan.
Ryan Archer – Trumpet of Patriots
Ryan Archer is the candidate for the new party, Trumpet of Patriots.
Mr Acher has not responded to questions.
Tony Nikolic – One Nation
Tony Nikolic is the candidate for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.
Mr Nikolic has not responded to questions.
Jamie Green – Family First
Jamie Green is the candidate for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.
Mr Green has not responded to questions.
‘It was a clinical first half’: Reigning champs flick the switch in Penrith RL
With players returning, Emu Plains returned to their dominant best in an electric first half at Parker Street, while elsewhere there was a major boilover. R14 wrap, stars and standouts.
Read more
Mt Druitt to Miles Franklin: Novel shines spotlight on Tongan culture
A Mt Druitt woman who saw a lack of authentic representation of her culture in the media decided to do something about it, releasing a novel shining a spotlight on Tongan culture. Here’s her story.
Read more