NSW Election 2019: Meet the candidates vying for Blacktown
A devoted churchgoer, a former accountant, a businessman, a retired school teacher and a disability worker … meet the candidates vying for your vote in Blacktown in this week’s NSW Election.
NAME: Josh Green
PARTY: Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
“I’m 37 and I’ve lived in western Sydney my whole life. I work in hospitality and attend Blacktown Salvation Army church and am involved in the local faith community.
“I have been a candidate a number of times now, all with good results.
“I genuinely want to help improve Blacktown by delivering the services taxpayers deserve.
“I can’t wait to be given a chance to govern with integrity, and with real results that create positive change that people can believe in.”
TOP 3 PRIORITIES:
1. Reduce hospital waiting times;
2. Improve employment services; and
3. A strong approach to crime.
NAME: Stephen Bali
PARTY: Labor Party (Incumbent)
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
“I passionately believe in Blacktown City. I am a qualified accountant and have been involved with many charity organisations.
“I have been a Labor member since I was 15; active union member my working life; and involved in many community campaigns.
“I have served as a Blacktown councillor since 2004 and been Mayor for the past four years.”
TOP 3 PRIORITIES:
1. Doonside lifts;
2. Filling the hundreds of vacant local NSW Government jobs in the hospital, police and teaching; and
3. Cash back for the M4 and ensure we get infrastructure spending in our area where we have been overlooked despite the massive population growth imposed on us by the State Government.
NAME: Amit Batish
PARTY: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
“I’m Australian with proud Indian heritage. I’m married with two children and enjoyed living in Blacktown for over 14 years.
“I’ve been running my small business for 12 years.
“I am new to politics, becoming disillusioned with the lack of proactive solutions put forward by the tired old major parties.
“I joined One Nation in 2017 as it was the only party talking about the real issues facing real people.”
TOP 3 PRIORITIES:
1. Overdevelopment and congestion;
2. Bringing education back to basics by repairing the curriculum and measuring teacher performance; and
3. Reduction in electricity prices for households and small businesses.
NAME: Allan Green
PARTY: Liberal Party.
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
“I’m a Blacktown local having lived in the area for more than 40 years.
“As a former high school teacher who now works in a local small business, I’m passionate about the NSW Liberals’ record investment in education.
“If elected I will fight for better education, health, and public transport. I served on Blacktown Council for 20 years.”
TOP 3 PRIORITIES:
1. One of the biggest priorities residents raise is healthcare;
2. Blacktown has a lot of young families who can rest easy knowing our record investment in schools and teachers; and
3. Residents I talk to raise strong economic management as a key priority this election.
NAME: Kirsten Gibbs
PARTY: The Greens
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
“I’ve lived with my husband and two daughters in the Blacktown area for six years.
“I am a disability support and community worker and a member of the NSW Greens for nine years.
“I have been active in organising various community rallies and events.”
TOP 3 PRIORITIES:
1. Increasing funding for Blacktown Hospital to cut emergency department wait times, increase staff ratios, and reduce surgery wait times;
2. Ensuring every child in Blacktown has access to free, world-class education from early childhood to higher education; and
3. Smart action on climate change, including funding innovative renewable energy projects that are local.
WHERE TO VOTE IN THE BLACKTOWN ELECTORATE:
Bert Oldfield Public School — Oldfield Road, Seven Hills NSW 2147
Blacktown Boys High School — Fifth Avenue, Blacktown NSW 2148
Blacktown Christian Reformed Church — 240 Richmond Road, Woodcroft NSW 2767
Blacktown South Public School — 183 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148
Blacktown West Public School — Lancaster Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
Doonside High School — Power Street, Doonside NSW 2767
Doonside Public School — School Parade, Doonside NSW 2767
Evans High School — 166 Walters Road, Blacktown NSW 2148
Kings Park Community Church — 1/13 Turbo Rd, Kings Park NSW 2148
Lalor Park Public School — Heffron Road, Lalor Park NSW 2147
Lynwood Park Public School — 87 Turner Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
Marayong Heights Public School — Guerie Street, Marayong NSW 2148
Marayong Public School — Davis Road, Marayong NSW 2148
Marayong South Public School — 64 McClean Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
Mitchell High School — Keyworth Drive, Blacktown NSW 2148
Nagle College Blacktown — 58A Orwell Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
Quakers Hill Public School — Medlow Drive, Quakers Hill NSW 2763
Seven Hills West Public School — Lucas Road, Seven Hills NSW 2147
St Andrews Primary School, Marayong — 36 Breakfast Road, Marayong NSW 2148
William Rose School — Hope Street, Seven Hills NSW 2147
Young Waratahs pair shine ahead of Super Rugby W opener
The Waratahs have worked hard on a skill all pre-season but it was an area that let them down in a Super Rugby trial where two young guns produced ‘positive energy’. Super Rugby W squads.
‘Raw’: Family reacts to preschool’s court win after baby’s death
The grief-stricken family whose daughter died after she was found unresponsive at a northwest Sydney childcare centre has spoken about their heartache following the preschool’s successful appeal in court.