NSW Election 2023: Meet the candidates for Holsworthy

Liberal incumbent MP Melanie Gibbons will not be running for Holsworthy after being ousted from the seat, but five candidates are contesting for the electorate. See their final pitches here.

The Green candidate, Christopher Kerle. Picture: Supplied.

Liberal incumbent MP Melanie Gibbons will not be running for Holsworthy after being ousted from the seat which she represented for over a decade.

Ms Gibbons had represented Holsworthy since 2015 and holds it by 6.2 per cent, but will be running for the seat of Kiama after losing preselection.

Instead, former deputy mayor of Liverpool and the wife to Liverpool, mayor Ned Mannoun, Tina Ayyad, is hitting the trail as the Liberal hopeful against senior high school teacher and Labor candidate Michael William Maroney.

With March 25, rapidly approaching, eight politically diverse candidates are vying for the electorate seat. Here is what their top priorities are if elected.

Tina Ayyad: Liberal

Liberal party candidate Tina Ayyad. Picture: Supplied.

I am 37-years-old. I am the mother to three beautiful children. Previously I was the former deputy mayor of Liverpool and have a background in education and training.

Why are you running?

I am running because I care about the community and people of Holsworthy.

I believe with a long-term plan and strong economic management, myself and a re-elected Perrottet Liberal government can deliver the necessary infrastructure our area needs.

We now know that Labor won’t be building the southwest metro line and this is just one example of how our area will stagnate under Labor.

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

Number one is certainly the cost of living. The Perrottet Liberal government, through its strong economic management and long-term plan, is delivering over 70 cost of living relief measures to take the pressure of household budgets including $250 of energy bills for every household in NSW, the Active Kids, Creative Kids and First Lap vouchers, and up to $750 back in your pocket in toll relief.

Number two is our Kids Future Fund. All kids, 10 and under, will be able to set up accounts this year – kicked off with $400 contribution by the government. It’s for parents and grandparents to put money into a fund each year, with the state government matching your contributions up to $400.

Number three is concern around Labor’s recent announcement to cancel two of the new Sydney Metro Lines including Bankstown to Liverpool.

Mick Maroney, Labor

Labor candidate Mick Maroney. Picture: Supplied.

Dr Mick Maroney OAM, 56, is a senior high school teacher at Menai High School.

Mick also worked for the NSW Police and as a firefighter, as well as representing Australia for triathlon at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

With Justine, his wife and their five children, Mick has helped and supported the local and wider community across the past 30 years volunteering.

For his tireless community work Mick was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal.

Why are you running?

Mick is running as the Labor candidate for Holsworthy as he is passionate about the expansion of services into the under supplied area of southwest Sydney.

As a schoolteacher Mick has first-hand understanding of the effects teacher shortages can have on students in NSW schools.

Mick displays a strong sense of community and family values and therefore understands the pressures that families and households in NSW face everyday.

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

Cost of living expenses which have increased with toll prices and the privatisation of Sydney Water which will further impact overall costs for the community.

The implications of safe staffing levels and how this can be addressed to ensure emergency waiting times at Liverpool hospital are reduced considerably.

The need for more bus services to cater for school students commuting to and from schools within the Holsworthy area, taking the pressure off the road network and families.

Deborah Ann Swinbourn: independent

The Green candidate, Christopher Kerle. Picture: Supplied.

Deborah Ann Swinbourn is the independent candidate for Holsworthy, but did not respond to the questions by deadline.

Christopher Kerle: The Greens

I’m 36 and a community organiser and campaigner.

I’m running for the seat of Holsworthy because I believe in The Greens vision for a fairer, more sustainable NSW, with environmental care and better opportunities for all people.

Why are you running?

Both major parties are putting the interests of their big corporate donors ahead of our community. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Together, we can provide secure housing and access to free, high-quality services, including health and education to every resident, transition to clean, renewable energy, tackle political corruption and privatisation, strengthen environmental protections and invest in recovery plans for threatened habitats and give a voice for local people in planning decisions.

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

The climate and housing crisis and bringing real integrity into our politics in NSW to stamp out the sort of vested interests we see influencing our community – especially from the scourge of poker machines.

James Ingarfill: One Nation

One Nation candidate, James Ingarfill. Picture: Supplied.

James Ingarfill is the One Nation candidate for Holsworthy, but did not respond to the questions by deadline.