Federal Election 2019: Meet your Greenway candidates
With less than three weeks until the Federal Election, the Blacktown Advocate spoke to the candidates running for Greenway.
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Candidates in the Greenway electorate have been declared ahead of the May 18 Federal Election.
The order of the ballot was set down in Eastern Creek last week, with six candidates running for the seat.
IN OTHER NEWS
Labor incumbent Michelle Rowland has held the seat since 2010 with a 3.33 per cent swing.
Australian Better Families candidate Graham McFarland drew the top spot on the ballot.
Greens candidate Damien Atkins placed in second on the ballot, with the Liberals’ Allan Green placing third and Labor’s Michelle Rowland in fourth.
Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party candidate Scott Feeney received the fifth spot, while Osbourn Rajadurai of the Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group) received the final ballot spot.
The Advocate reached out to the candidates to find out a little bit more about them …
GRAHAM MCFARLAND — AUSTRALIAN BETTER FAMILIES
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I have been blessed with full custody of my children in recent years and we live in a blended family household. Our household has four generations under the one roof. Our youngest son currently attends Glenwood High School.
I also was brought up in the area and I attended local primary and secondary schools.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS?
Spending my time with family, volunteering with my charity group and passionately watching my beloved Parramatta Eels.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
I volunteer with a community group called End All DV.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?
I am known for my cooking, especially for a lot of guests.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
The electorate has been very vocal with me about the cost of living for local families, broken family law and issues raised around aged care.
DAMIEN ATKINS — THE GREENS
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I live with my wife Stacey and my daughter Niamh in Seven Hills. Niamh was born at Blacktown Hospital in January 2018. Stacey grew up around Wentworthville and Toongabbie and has live in this area for most of her life. I grew up in Newcastle, NSW. I am a trained chef but currently I am working in sales in Girraween because it offered a more of a work life balance.
I love living the Blacktown area because it’s so multicultural, friendly and inviting. The people are genuine. It’s a fantastic place to raise a family. I want Greenway to be a progressive place that takes care of everyone. I want to see a real action on climate change that really affects us here. Curbing the ‘Urban Heat Island Effect’ is very important to me. This is pinned as the ‘Climate Election’ and it’s about time real action on climate change is on the national agenda.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS?
I love raising my daughter. It’s just fantastic to see her learn, develop and grow.
I am a bit of a nerd so Game of Thrones is just fantastic. I have read all the books and currently really enjoying the final season. I love playing tennis whether with friends or coaching.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
I am a part of Blacktown Greens of which I am the Membership Officer.
I have interests in 350.org which is a global community organisation aimed to end our reliance on fossil fuel dependence.
I am also following the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC). The AYCC promote youth activism on issues on climate change.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?
I can play the flute.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
I was the Greens candidate for Seven Hills in the recent State Election.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
Climate Change — Transition to 100% renewables by 2030 to avoid climate disaster. This will mean new jobs, cheaper energy bills and a future for our planet.
A Home For All — Ensure everyone has a safe and healthy home no matter what their income. We will build 500,000 new social and community homes nationwide.
Clean Up Politics — Hold politicians accountable in all aspects of public life and enforce stricter rules about political donations.
ALLAN GREEN — LIBERAL
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I am the Liberal candidate for Greenway at the 2019 Federal Election. I am married with six adult children and have lived in the Blacktown area for more than 40 years, currently living in Quakers Hill.
I am a former high school teacher who now works in a local small business.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
I have been involved in numerous local community groups over the years and am a member of a local Lions Club, a local Quakers Hill church and the Australian Philippines Business Council.
My wife and I support a church outreach called the AM Green feeding program involving about 90 poor children in the Philippines.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?
I am an avid karaoke singer.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
I served as a Blacktown City councillor for two decades.
One of my key achievements was initiating the process which led to the construction of the Blacktown Leisure Centre.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. I will fight to make sure taxes stay low so that people in Greenway keep more of what they earn.
2. I will back local small businesses to create more jobs.
3. I know that funding for the essential services that our community relies upon is only possible with a strong economy.
MICHELLE ROWLAND — LABOR
A BIT ABOUT YOU/YOUR FAMILY:
I am married to Michael and we have two amazing young daughters, Octavia, seven, and Aurelia, two. I am passionate about affording everyone, regardless of their background, equality of opportunity.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS?
Baking is my favourite hobby. I love to try new recipes when I get a spare moment here and there. My most recent baking was a batch of homemade Anzac biscuits on Anzac Day.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS?
I am a patron or supporter of many of our wonderful community groups here in Greenway, including the Blacktown Historical Society, Kings Langley Lions Club, Sri Om Care seniors services and the Harman Foundation.
I am a proud patron and supporter of many of our local sporting clubs, including Seven Hills Junior Rugby League, Riverstone Dolphins Swimming Club, Quakers Hill Pirates Baseball & Softball Club, and Kings Langley Hockey Club.
I have also been involved with the Lalor Park Community Garden for many years — the centre is run for the community’s benefit by group of dedicated local residents. There is also a special place in my heart for the Cumberland National Servicemen’s Association (NASHOS).
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?
Baking is my not-too-secret talent!
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
Prior to entering parliament, I was a senior telecommunications lawyer. I also served as a councillor and Deputy Mayor of Blacktown City Council, Chair of Screen NSW, and a Director of the Western Sydney Area Health Service.
I was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 as the Member for Greenway which was a huge honour. In October 2015, I was elevated to the Shadow Cabinet. I re-elected at the July 2016 election and appointed Shadow Minister for Communications, the position I currently hold.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
When I’m out and about three biggest issues constituents raise with me are:
1. Stopping the Liberals’ cuts to hospitals and reversing their Medicare freeze.
2. Properly investing in our local schools.
3. Fighting for local jobs and reversing the cuts to penalty rates.
SCOTT FEENEY — UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY
The Advocate is awaiting a response.
OSBOURN RAJADURAI — CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The Advocate is awaiting a response.
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