Federal Election 2019: Meet your Chifley candidates
With less than three weeks until the Federal Election, the Blacktown Advocate spoke to the candidates running for Chifley.
Candidates for Chifley have been declared ahead of the May 18 Federal Election.
The order of the ballot was set down last week, with six candidates nominating to contest the seat.
Six contenders will battle for the seat, held by Labor incumbent Ed Husic since 2010 with an 8.26 per cent swing.
IN OTHER NEWS
Josh Green of The Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group) drew the top spot on the ballot, Independent Ammar Khan placed second on the ballot, while United Australia Party’s Joseph O’Connor received the third ballot spot.
Brent Robertson of The Greens drew the fourth ballot spot, Liberal Livingston Chettipally received the fifth spot and Labor incumbent Ed Husic received the sixth ballot spot.
The Advocate reached out to the candidates to find out a little bit more about them.
JOSH GREEN — CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (FRED NILE GROUP)
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I’m 37 years old.
I have lived in western Sydney my whole life.
I currently work in hospitality.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
I attend Blacktown Salvation Army church, and involved in the local faith community.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
I have been a candidate a number of times now, all with good results.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
At the top of my list is tackling crime, reducing hospital waiting times, and improving
road conditions. I would like to introduce changes to make it far easier for people to look for work and/or get assistance, and lastly I want to bring some new ideas in the attempt to reduce poverty.
AMMAR KHAN — INDEPENDENT
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I’m aged 40, and a single father of two young boys aged seven and 12.
Both sons go to Richard Johnson Anglican School at Oakhurst and Marsden Park.
I was born in Pakistan in 1979 and moved to Australia with my family in 1988. I’ve been in Mt Druitt for all of my 31 years in Australia.
I’m a tertiary-qualified property developer, licensed builder and real estate agent.
I attended Colyton Primary School until 1991, Colyton High School until 1995, and St Marys Senior High School until 1997.
A strong advocate of education, I have undertaken 12 years of tertiary education, completed university degrees in Bachelor of Housing/Construction Management at University of Western Sydney, and Bachelor of Science at University of Technology. In addition I have completed a number of TAFE certificates relating to real estate, mortgage broking, construction and OH&S.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS?
I’m an avid businessman, a property & construction expert, and supporter of the community & friends in need at every opportunity.
I have been in business and investments since the age of 21, starting with my very first property and a small vending machine run. Today I am pleased to be a self-made millionaire, owner of multiple investments and the sole director of three businesses in property services in development, construction, and investment.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
I belong to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, which has its Australian National headquarters in Marsden Park.
I volunteer heavily in the community, offering my specialised services to all the local community organisations, but above all with MECA (Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency) where I now also serve as a board member.
My dream is to make a huge difference to our community using my specialised knowledge of business and property. I am in the process setting up my own Ammar Khan Foundation where I would teach the unemployed and young graduates how to find quality employment or start their own business. In cases where I find highly-motivated individuals, I sponsor them with my own funds in getting their business or idea off the ground.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?
My secret talent is my determination to get what I want and do everything to achieve it. I learned early in life that when you really desire a thing so deeply that you are willing to stake your entire future on it, you are sure to achieve it.
I’ve started ventures when I had no money, little education and no help from anyone. But I did have initiative, faith, and the desire to win on every occasion. And it’s worked every time. I am not afraid to burn all bridges behind me, and stake my entire future on my ability to get what I want. I leave myself no possible way of retreat.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
I have previously contested the 2013 and 2016 Federal elections. I have chosen to maintain consistency, remain firm and concentrate all effort on this one goal, therefore did not contest any local or state elections.
More importantly, I have been thinking in my mind and conducting my actions as if I’m already the Federal Member. This naturally resulted in me keeping on top of federal issues, always devising and even executing some new plans and ideas for my electorate, and best of all, being of great support to my constituents in federal matters in any capacity I could.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
My top three priorities are:
Unemployment or underemployment in our region, along with wealth and prosperity
Housing affordability and availability, along with promoting home ownership and property investment
The profile and prosperity of our North Mt Druitt suburbs and region.
JOSEPH O’CONNOR — UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
My family and I grew up in western Sydney. I lived in North St Marys for a number of years before moving to Mt Druitt after my parents moved to the South Coast. I’ve lived here now for about two years. I’ve worked in the security industry since moving to Mt Druitt and I’m studying a Masters in Social Work from Western Sydney University and I have an undergraduate degree in psychological studies.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS?
I used to train in martial arts and did so for over a decade. I was also into weightlifting and bodybuilding for a number of years but stopped due to injuries, although I still follow the sport.
I’m an avid reader of history and science in particular psychology which I studied in university. At the moment I’ve also become interested in writing.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?
My fingers are hyper-flexible.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
I was interested in politics prior to running although I had a cynical pessimistic outlook on the political system in Australia. It seemed to me that every year things either stayed the same or got worse rather than better and I began to become concerned about the long term future of the country. I started to think about the kind of country I’d be living in as I got older and the trends didn’t look good so I decided to enter politics so that I could hopefully make a positive change.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. Unemployment
2. Rising cost of living
3. Homelessness
BRENT ROBERTSON — THE GREENS
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I’m married with four sons in their late 30s. I am a full-time carer. I have four grandkids — three boys and one girl.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS?
My interests include cryptic crosswords. I have an amateur interest in physics and philosophy. I love documentaries and I love history.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
I used to belong to many. I used to belong to Mt Druitt 2770 Postcode Group. I belong to Carers NSW and Sane Australia.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
I first joined the Labor Party in the 90s. I left them unsatisfied with them for their conservatism, especially on major issues likes climate change. I have run for The Greens as a candidate on numerous occasions since 2002. I am the co-founder of the Blacktown Greens. I have run for council and state. This is my first time running for the federal seat.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. Serious action on climate change
2. Human rights
3. Mt Druitt Hospital
LIVINGSTON CHETTIPALLY — LIBERAL
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I am a father of two and a social worker, heading up the Safemap Community Network, a not-for-profit which provides support and mentoring for ethnic community groups as well as counselling for victims of domestic violence in western Sydney. I have a Master of Social Work and Master of Management as well as two decades experience in not-for-profit management.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS?
I have worked with the United Nationals Development Programme (UNDP), where I led a team to empower disadvantaged people in developing nations such as women and those with a disability, teaching self-reliance through financial and small business training. My greatest interest is helping vulnerable people in our community, and so I do that as much as possible wherever I can. I am fortunate to have experience working to break the cycle of poverty in countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Uganda and Tanzania where I trained government staff on how to develop poverty-alleviating programs through the UNDP and World Bank initiatives.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
Locally, I am a member of the Blacktown Multicultural Advisory Committee, have served as a council safety committee advisor, and assisted with Child Protection Week and Refugee Week events.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?
I am often told that I am good at providing pastoral care and counselling.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
I grew up in a family of politicians, so have a long association with politics! My grandfather was a Council Mayor in regional India, and my great uncle is a serving Senator in India! I have also worked in governments — both in Australia and India — so I am very familiar with the decision making processes involved with politics.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
My three priorities are working as part of the Morrison Liberal Team to: Build a stronger economy, continue to deliver tax relief by fixing the Budget and delivering a surplus, and also securing our future to guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on.
ED HUSIC — LABOR
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I grew up around the area. I went to school around Blacktown. I have always worked around here, I once worked with Integral Energy in Huntingwood. I feel strongly about sticking up for the area I grew up in. That’s why I push so much in terms of better services and access to things like better healthcare, which I get really worked up about. It’s a real honour to represent an area you’ve seen change as you’ve grown up.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS?
If I’m not out and about in the community, I do like sport. I particularly enjoy playing a bit of basketball. I always find it’s a good outlet. I have a six-year-old who always keeps me on the grow as well — it’s always good to spend time and marvel at how well they can work around a Lego set.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
I wish I could say my secret talent is a good three-point shot, but it’s not. I can’t lay claim to any secret talents.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?
I did a lot of work prior to being an MP with a lot of community groups, particularly, with the Blacktown Migrant Resource Centre. I enjoy going and seeing a lot of groups and supporting their work in the area, particularly some of the work the Mt Druitt Legal Centre does to help people. One of the things I like most about being an MP and supporting the community is the Coral McLean Awards which we started and supports women in our area doing amazing things.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
I’ve been involved in the Labor Party since my late teen years and have been supporting the party for quite some time. Some campaigns I’ve lost and others I’ve been grateful to win. I’ve always been involved in the local idea and have always been attracted to the idea that Labor would stand up for people that wanted a voice, particularly in the local area.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. Better access to healthcare
2. Better access to education
3. Better infrastructure to move people around
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