NSW election: The Greens ‘building’ bigger base in Labor-stronghold Blacktown

Building from their unprecedented success in the 2022 federal election, The Greens are looking to keep the momentum building in Sydney’s hard fought for western suburbs as they outline their long-terms plans for Blacktown.

The Blacktown Greens launched their campaign in late-2022. Picture: NSW Greens

Blacktown is set to be a key battleground for the major parties at the 2023 state election, with The Greens outlying plans to build a bigger base as the region braces for an unprecedented population boom.

In coming decades, Blacktown LGA is forecast to overtake Tasmania in population size having already earned the distinction of being NSW’s largest. That change is something The Greens hope to take advantage of.

“I feel we’re really building something in Blacktown,” Blacktown Greens candidate Leonard Hobbs said.

“People are more and more supportive than they have been in the past. The younger vote is really encouraging. That’s our future.”

Mr Hobbs will challenge incumbent Labor MP Stephen Bali and much like his fellow “Blacktown Greens” – party candidates representing the four local seats – he doesn’t anticipate success in March’s poll. In 2019, The Greens averaged only 6.4 of the vote across the four seats.

Greens candidate for Blacktown Leonard Hobbs. Picture: NSW Greens

However, with the region in the grips of a population shift with many young professionals immigrating, he believes that might soon change.

“It’s very unlikely I’ll ever become an MP in Blacktown,” he said.

“But, when I ran in the council elections we received the highest vote The Greens have ever received in a standard council election there. We’re appealing to the Labor vote now – we think we can win them over.”

The Greens Riverstone candidate Rob Vail has lived in the area for 37 years and agreed the region was in the grips of significant change.

“Lots of people are going to be moving into the western suburbs but the council and state government haven’t planned for it,” Mr Vail said.

“New people who’ve just moved into the Riverstone area are sending their children – most of them small children – to the local school, but it’s got more than 2000 students and it’s going to be picking up hundreds more.

Bangladesh-born Mt Druitt candidate Asm Mahbub Morshed. Picture: NSW Greens

“It’s just ridiculous. The state government hasn’t produced the public schools that were necessary, as well as lots of other infrastructure.”

Blacktown LGA has the highest population in the state, and is also one of NSW’s most diverse.

Bangladesh-born Mt Druitt candidate for The Greens, Asm Mahbub Morshed, was inspired to enter politics in Australia after witnessing environmental devastation at home. He has previously ran in council elections at Parramatta and Liverpool.

He believed Blacktown’s disadvantaged multicultural communities stood to benefit better from The Greens’ policies.

“There is a lot of misunderstanding in the area about The Greens party – I don’t understand it,” he said,

“People from disadvantaged areas like Mt Druitt and Blacktown would benefit from The Greens’ policies, including free education.”

Winston Hills candidate for The Greens, Damien Atkins. Picture: NSW Greens

Winston Hills candidate Damien Atkins also believed residents stood to benefit from the party’s climate focus.

“The Winston Hills electorate needs to see people focused on climate-orientated planning and development,” he said.

“That means more canopy trees, community solar, and better public transport links that will all make our area more resilient and safer as we experience the effects of climate change and for the hot summer we experience.”

Unlike his fellow Greens, Mr Atkins was more assured of his party’s possible success in March.

“The Greens are showing what more local representatives can do for their communities,” he said. “That will do wonders for our team here in March.”