Fed Election 2019: Fowler candidate profiles

The candidates of Fowler open up about their political experience, background and vision for the electorate.

Just ahead of the Federal Election 2019, candidates of Fowler have opened up about their political experience, background and vision for the electorate. Picture: Lukas Coch

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In an attempt to get to know the people who have put their hand up to represent Fairfield City, the Advance has asked the candidates to tell us about themselves in their own words.

Learn about their backgrounds, interests, experience and stance on important political issues. As the election nears, we’ll be providing coverage on the issues that affect you and where the candidates stand.

In order on the ballot draw, here are the candidates for the seat of Fowler:

LABOR: CHRIS HAYES

I have been a Member of the Federal Parliament for fourteen years. I was first elected to the seat of Werriwa in 2005 and transferred to the seat of Fowler in 2010.

I grew up in Padstow and am proud of my western Sydney upbringing. I studied Human Resource Management at TAFE, attended the University of Sydney and hold a Diploma of Industrial Relations and Law.

I’m a human rights advocate. I recently returned from the Philippines and Malaysia where I had delivered papers on both human rights violations and the abolition of the death penalty.

I’m co-chair of Parliamentarians against the Death Penalty, a member of Amnesty

International and I currently hold the position of Chief Opposition Whip.

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Bernadette, for 43 years. Together, we have three children and 10 grandchildren.

Werriwa Labor MP Chris Hayes.

I believe the top three issues and priorities in Fowler are:

1. Housing Affordability: Like many areas in Sydney, housing remains a significant issue. While my community is very vibrant and colourful, it is not a rich community, with the average

household income being a little over $60,000. Parents and grandparents are very concerned about their children having reasonable access into the housing market of Western Sydney.

Fowler is one of the highest electorates most affected by rent stress.

2. Schools & Education: Under a Labor Government, public schools in Fowler will receive $27,690,000 in funding.

3. Settlement Services: Of the 12,000 Syrian refugees under the Government’s Special Humanitarian Intake, almost 7,000 of them have

settled in the Fairfield community. We need to ensure that appropriate resourcing is provided to meet the demands of this level of intake so that these people are able to fully participate in our society, now and into the future.

UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY: JOSHUA JABBOUR

Born, raised and worked in Liverpool and around it my entire life. Grew up in the most multicultural community in Australia, and have been through the roughest patches with my mother and sister here, relying on welfare before I was able to work. I assist my mother in carer duties for my sister, study astrophysics at Macquarie University and work in a sales consultant job at Optus in Westfields.

My favourite hobbies include the gym (I’m a bit of a gym junkie), cooking, writing and reading.

Joshua Jabour of the United Australia Party.

As a candidate, I would describe my political experience as “newbie”.

My top three priorities for Fowler are:

1. Cost of living,

2. Lack of serious job opportunities locally

3. Ageing community not getting the support it needs.

THE GREENS: SEAMUS LEE

I work as an IT specialist in progressive organisations and am a strong union representative.

I am proud to represent The Greens in Fowler.

Seamus Lee of The Greens.

I champion big, evidence-driven solutions to the major problems we’re facing now: economic inequality, increasing cost of living, environmental destruction and climate change.

LIBERAL: WAYNE BLEWITT

I’ve been a resident of Cabramatta/Fowler for 59 years and attended local primary and high schools. I worked in management and financial roles until the age of 28 and became an apprentice at Liverpool TAFE studying plumbing.

I took up an apprenticeship with my father’s one van plumbing business and today the privately-owned family business employs in excess of 20 personal including numerous apprentices.

As a family, we have two sons and a daughter.

During this time, I was privileged to serve as Presidents of the Mounties Swim Club and Cabramatta Leagues Club. I am presently a Board Member of the Cabramatta Rugby League Academy.

Liberal’s Wayne Blewitt. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

I believe the top three issues for Fowler are:

1. Cost of Living: Many residents struggle with electricity, rental accommodation expenses and affordable housing.

2. Jobs/youth unemployment: Fowler has one of the highest youth and general unemployment rates in Australia. A Liberal government is committed to creating 1.25 million jobs over the next 5 years, with 20 per cent aimed at young Australians through its $525m skills package.

3. Healthcare: Fowler is a low socio – economic electorate and many residents struggle with medical expenses. A Liberal government will ease the burden of visiting GP’s by ending the freeze on Medicare rebates – including urgent after-hours visits.

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY: FRANCESCA MOCANU

Francesca Mocanu of the Christian Democratic Party is also contesting for the seat of Fowler. She did not provide a profile before publication.