NSW Election: Meet the candidates for Fairfield

With days left until the state election, a busy campaign is underway in Fairfield with candidates vying to win over residents. See the candidate’s profiles here.

Labor candidate for Fairfield David Saliba. Picture: Supplied.

Fairfield Labor MP Guy Zangari’s announcement to not run for re-election signalled the start of a busy campaign from major parties and independents to win over residents.

Mr Zangari has retained Fairfield since 2011 and holds it by 16.8 per cent, with the electorate voting red since 1953.

Fairfield mayor Frank Carbone recently ended speculation he would not run for the seat of Fairfield or Cabramatta at the upcoming state election.

After discussions with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Labor leader Chris Minns, Mr Carbone said he was left unsatisfied with the government’s commitment to improving funding in his electorate.

But the battle for the seat has seven candidates putting up their hands to represent the people of Fairfield. Here is what their top priorities are if elected.

Severino Lovero: Independent

Severino Lovero. Picture: Supplied.

I am a 68-year-old Australian Filipino and descendant from an Italian father and Spanish mother.

I am a father to six children and a grandfather to nine (soon to be 10) grandchildren.

My career path has always been extensive and diverse. I held positions in sales, account management and supported supply chain operations for various retail and medical device companies in the Middle East.

Why are you running?

I hold grassroots understanding of community needs with such a culturally diverse population.

My connections extend beyond the Filipino community. I have a well-established network in the Middle Eastern and Asian community.

I am committed to taking action to rectify a growing number of obvious gaps in resourcing, health and education.

My passion is to empower and nurture our youth. It is my view, that improvements can only take place if we include the younger generation on the journey with a clear vision.

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

Social disparity, economic challenges and the need to educate on climate change are extremely relevant issues that need to be addressed in the Fairfield community.

Interest rate rises, inflation and the general cost of living including the surge in energy and fuel prices has directly impacted the community, more so than other affluent parts of NSW.

There is a strong need for education, support programs and adequate resourcing.

Hikmat Odesh: Independent

I am 62 years old with four sons and 11 grandchildren.

I am a Christian, originally from Iraq, where I worked as a school principal and a watchmaker. Since coming to Australia, I have been a dedicated community worker in case management, helping refugees and other humanitarian issues. Also, I worked as a volunteer for my local church for more than 14 years.

Why are you running?

I am running because I believe that both major parties have sold out my community.

Our religious beliefs are increasingly threatened and both parties want to take away the rights of our religious schools to teach our kids what we believe.

Finally, the ALP head office decided who would be the candidate for Fairfield, not local members.

We left the Middle East to get away from dictators and now we find them in the major parties.

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

The three major issues are family, faith and fairness. We want parents to have the rights to determine what their kids are taught and whether they can get treatment for gender confusion. We want the right to proclaim what our scriptures say, even if other disagree.

In 2021 we were locked down worse than any other area of the country. This must never happen again.

David Saliba: Labor

Labor candidate David Saliba. Picture: Supplied.

I was born at Fairfield Hospital and am a lifelong resident of Fairfield. I served as a federal agent in the Australian Federal Police and a captain in the Army Reserve.

I have also worked as a management consultant for KPMG Australia. In a voluntary capacity, I formed the Youth Pathways Network mentoring local kids to succeed after high school and stay away from crime.

Why are you running?

Fairfield is a vibrant and caring community made up of people from different backgrounds

who want to build a better life for themselves, their families, and our community.

Despite the people of Fairfield doing their best, families are struggling, and the government needs to do more to help. I am putting my hand up to be part of the solution by fighting for the resources Fairfield deserves.

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

Fairfield has limited access to healthcare services, the rising cost of living is putting pressure

on family budgets, and housing affordability is becoming out of reach.

Local families are doing it tough, and the government needs to act.

That is why Labor, if elected, will upgrade Fairfield Hospital, implement broad measures to put downward pressure on our bills, and abolish and reduce stamp duty for most first-home buyers. This is only the beginning, and more work needs to be done. If elected, I will do everything I can to help.

Jacob Potkonyak: Legalise Cannabis party

Jacob Potkonyak is the Legalise Cannabis party candidate for Fairfield and did not respond by deadline. According to an online statement he “works as a vocational educator specialising in helping people return to work and has been an advocate for legalisation of cannabis for over 15 years”.

Monika Ball: The Greens

Monika Ball from The Greens. Picture: Supplied.

I am 49-years-old and a councillor. I care for the health of people and our planet.

Why are you running?

Without adequate green spaces our streets are hotter, we are disconnected from nature and our mental and physical health declines.

Without adequate shade trees, our homes rely on airconditioning which increases our living costs. Without accessible, and frequent public transport, our community is forced to drive. Our air is toxic, our costs are higher and we lack physical movement.

Without the security of a home, we cannot contribute to society and live our best life.

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

1. Urban Heat – The NSW State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) and Development Control Plans (DCPs) need a major overhaul because developers have too much power while our environments and people suffer.

2. Western Sydney needs better public transport.

3. We are in a national housing crisis and all levels of government need to do more.

Aaryen Pillai: Liberal

Liberal candidate Aaryen Pillai. Picture: Supplied.

As a proud local, I was born and raised in the area and spent the majority of my youth in Fairfield.

As a caring and considerate citizen, I am out and about in the community every day supporting residents, local businesses and community groups.

I am proud of my half Indian and half Vietnamese heritage – my father emigrated from India for a life in Australia and he instilled strong values of family, community and hard work.

Why are you running?

It is only the Perrottet Liberal Team who have the experience and financial plan to keep NSW moving forward.

It’s this plan which has delivered a terrific initiative, the Kids Future Fund, which will set up our young people for a prosperous future and the First Home Buyers Choice.

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

1. Cost of living

2. Health funding

3. Education funding

Robyn Leggatt: Public Education Party

Public Education Party candidate Robyn Leggatt. Picture: Supplied.

Robyn is a retired secondary principal who has spent 43 years in public education serving lower socio-economic communities to provide opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential regardless of their economic circumstance.

She has been a teacher, a drug education consultant and subsequently a deputy principal for ten years and principal for eight.

Robyn has gained great satisfaction in supporting teachers in public schools to reflect on and improve their teaching practices and supported schools to improve growth for all students.

Robyn is also an Olympic hockey player, having captained the first women’s hockey team to the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

In 2011 she received the Order of Australia for contributions to women’s hockey for her commitment to coaching of local junior and senior teams for more than 30 years.

Robyn is passionate about the important role public education plays in developing a democratic society where all young people have an equal opportunity for success.

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

1. Provision of adequate resources and qualified subject specific teachers in our local public schools

2. Cost of living and assistance for social welfare recipients;

3. Affordable housing for families.