NSW Election 2023: Meet the candidates for Cabramatta

While it may be considered a Labor heartland, the retirement of MP Nick Lalich has seen plenty of rivals hit the campaign trail in Cabramatta. See who your candidates are here.

Liberal candidate Courtney Nguyen. Picture: Supplied.

Cabramatta is considered one of the safest Labor seats in NSW, which it holds by 19.3 per cent.

While it may be considered a Labor heartland, the retirement of Labor MP Nick Lalich – who has represented this seat since 2008 – has seen plenty of rivals hitting the campaign trail.

The announcement saw talks of an independent candidate emerging, with Fairfield mayor Frank Carbone on the cards to run for Cabramatta or Fairfield.

However, Mr Carbone announced he would not contest the election on the day nominations closed after he was left unsatisfied with the government’s commitment to improving funding in his electorate.

With campaigns well underway, six other candidates have put their hands up to represent the people of Cabramatta and revealed their top priorities should they get elected. Here is what they had to say.

Mark Smaling: Liberal Democrats Party

Mark Smalimg is the Liberal Democrats candidate for Cabramatta and did not respond to questions by deadline.

Rosalind Davis: The Greens

The Greens candidate Rosalind Davis. Picture: Supplied.

I am a 42-year-old psychology student and disability services volunteer and I have two kids and two dogs.

Why are you running?

There are so many reasons to stand as a candidate who lives for the community. There are so many complexities to our experience as human beings from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; so many of which are affected by the decisions made by politicians.

However, as a training psychologist who is passionate about supporting families, my reason is lifting children out of poverty and into secure affordable housing, meeting their basic and developmental needs with world-class public education and healthcare.

What are the three main issues that voters have raised concerns about?

Housing (rental availability & pricing), rights at work and wages, access to mental health services, cost of living.

Kate Hoang: Independant

Independant candidate Kate Hoang. Picture: Supplied.

I am 36 years old, married with a nine-year-old daughter and I’m a practising lawyer by profession and have a law office in Fairfield.

Why are you running?

I believe an independent voice is best to represent our community’s interest without being influenced by a political party line.

I am a long-term resident of this electorate. I am working and living locally. I believe our community has been neglected for far too long.

We need a change. Our community deserves a fair share. Our funding allocation should not be determined by political statistics from past elections. I am committed to fight for our equal share.

What are the three main issues that voters have raised concerns about?

1. Hold the NSW government accountable, both parties must be reminded to fulfil all of their election promises, especially those that they made to Fairfield Hospital.

2. Fighting for more funding for public education and Fairfield Hospital. The funding ALP promised is only a faction of the amount they promised to other neighbouring areas.

3. Create more local jobs, and help small local businesses.

Courtney Nguyen: Liberal

Liberal candidate Courtney Nguyen. Picture: Supplied.

I arrived in Australia almost 30 years ago, living in Cabramatta and then Edensor Park.

I studied a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Western Sydney and have a Diploma in Business (Real Estate Management). A true local, I have a genuine track record of supporting our community in Cabramatta, helping local Vietnamese community groups and as an active volunteer member of the Cancer Council New South Wales and a supporter of Meals on Wheels in western Sydney.

Why are you running?

I am passionate about ensuring that taxes stay low so that people in Cabramatta keep more of what they earn and want to back local small businesses to create more jobs. I will be a strong local voice as part of Dominic Perrottet’s Liberal Team, standing up for our local community.

What are the three main issues that voters have raised concerns about?

1. Cost of living

2. Health infrastructure

3. Education investment

Tri Vo: Labor

Labor candidate Tri Vo.

Tri is 46 years old and lives in Wakeley with his wife and three children. He is a lawyer who has delivered ongoing assistance to our community’s most vulnerable members and has a longstanding history of charitable work. As a local resident and a parent, Tri understands the issues faced by our community every day

Tri will be a strong advocate for this community furthering investment in the community schools, hospitals and transport infrastructure.

Randa Moussa: Animal Justice Party

Randa Moussa is the Animal Justice Party candidate for Cabramatta and did not respond to questions by deadline.