NSW Election 2019: Profiles on the candidates running in Fairfield
In the lead up to the NSW Election on March 23, we’ve asked the candidates running in the district of Fairfield to tell us a bit about themselves and their policies.
In the lead up to the NSW Election on March 23, we’ve asked the candidates running in the district of Fairfield to tell us a bit about themselves and their policies.
The responses of the candidates running in Fairfield – Sam Georgis for the Christian Democratic Party, Sabah (Sam) Youkhana for the Liberal Party, Astrid O’Neill for The Greens and incumbent Guy Zangari for Labor – follow in the order they will appear on the voting ballot.
SAM GEORGIS, CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (CDP)
A bit about you:
Sam is a graduate from Vision International College with an Advanced Diploma in theology and ministry. He is the founder and senior Pastor of Kingdom Living Church located in Wetherill Park.
Sam has over 20 years of experience as a Christian educator for youth. He is a committed Christian who was raised by devoted Catholic-Chaldean parents.
Sam Georgis was twenty years old when he migrated to Australia/Melbourne where he lived, worked, studied and settled. In 2004 he moved to live in Sydney with his family and has authored a book Heavenly Visitation in 2007.
Sam is married to Liza Georgis for more than 18 years and has three daughters.
Your political background/experience:
Sam has been running for local and state government actively with the Christian Democratic Party since 2015. He is a strong supporter and advocate of single parents, and has a calling for social justice for those in our society who are in most need, including the elderly and pensioners, low socio-economic families, our indigenous communities, veterans, people with a disability, and many more.
Top three priorities/issues in your electorate:
If elected, Sam will ensure the voice of the mainstream, conservative Australians in Fairfield is heard. For 35 years the CDP has stood for Aussie values and traditions, job and national security, industry protection, infrastructure enhancement, better healthcare and workplace equality and One Law for all Australians.
SABAH (SAM) YOUKHANA, LIBERAL PARTY
A bit about you: I immigrated to Australia in 1999 with only $12 in my pocket and had two beautiful daughters with my wife. I now own my own business and operate in local shopping centres.
Your political background/experience:
I have been apart of the Liberal Party for the past eight years and have been the Cabramatta branch’s secretary for the past two years.
Top three priorities/issues in your electorate:
If I become Fairfield’s MP I would fight mostly for: supporting schools and families, investing more than ever in health and taking the pressure off families and individuals.
ASTRID O’NEILL, THE GREENS
A bit about you:
Migrant from non-English speaking background. A former TAFE teacher of law and business and College principal. NSW industrial tribunal member, Education union activist at state and federal levels. I lived, worked and raised my family in Western Sydney.
Your political background/experience:
Candidate for the Greens in previous elections. Active in politics at many levels in over 40 years.
Top three priorities/issues in your electorate:
1. Privatisation and underfunding of public services such as Fairfield’s schools, TAFE, preschools, hospitals and health services.
2. Creation of new local jobs, cheaper energy and tackling climate change through a renewable economy. This can be achieved through a publicly owned electricity company based on renewable energy and a mixture of local projects within the Fairfield communities, and large scale publicly owned renewable energy projects.
3. A co-ordinated universal, affordable housing system. Housing is as much a right as public education and public health care. Social housing for those in need is essential. Renters’ right should also be strengthened. Local Councils should be involved in building up a stock of affordable housing. Renters should be supported by capped rent rises and an end to no cause evictions.
GUY ZANGARI, LABOR PARTY
Your political background/experience:
It’s been a great honour to have represented the community of Fairfield for the past 8 years. Together we have advocated for better services and resources for our local area.
I look forward to continuing my hard work with our community to improve essential services and infrastructure throughout the Fairfield Electorate.
Top three priorities/issues in the electorate:
A Daley Labor Government will provide $55 million to upgrade Fairfield Hospital and develop its master plan. This will examine the need for new buildings and staff and which wards will need to be included as part of a future expansion to the hospital. This is about preparing for future population growth in our community.
Labor intends to cut waiting times and improve patient care by employing thousands more nurses, paramedics, and hospital security. This plan includes the introduction of mandated nurse to patient ratios for the very first time in NSW.
The Liberal Government has decimated funding to women’s refuges and domestic violence services. A future Daley Labor Government has pledged to invest $158 million to support women and children in dire need.
Fairfield’s Transport infrastructure continues to be neglected under the Liberal Government. Labor has committed $8 billion to fast-track the Western Metro and $3 billion towards improving Sydney’s existing rail network.
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