NSW Election 2023: Meet the Liverpool candidates

The announcement of Labor MP Paul Lynch’s retirement has sparked a vibrant campaign from all political parties. See what the candidates have to say.

Liberal candidate Richard Ammoun. Picture: Supplied.

Liverpool Labor incumbent MP Paul Lynch’s retirement announcement has started a vibrant campaign from major parties to win over residents.

Mr Lynch has retained Liverpool for three decades and holds it by 17.4 per cent.

Liverpool, which stretches from the Liverpool CBD, Warwick Farm, Busby and Mount Pritchard, has been considered a very safe Labor seat since 1950.

Now, Mr Lynch has backed Labor candidate and councillor Charishma Kaliyanda as the battle for the seat continues until election day on March 25.

The candidates putting up their hands to represent the people of Liverpool have revealed their top priorities should they get elected. Here is what they had to say.

Charishma Kaliyanda: Labor

Labor candidate Charishma Kaliyanda. Picture: Supplied.

I’m a registered occupational therapist and work in the youth mental health space. I’ve lived in Liverpool ever since my family made this place our home over 30 years ago.

Why are you running?

Because I really deeply care about our community and our shared future. I want to be a strong local voice to highlight the issues that face southwest Sydney and the unique needs of our area.

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

Liverpool, relative to the NSW average, is slightly younger, and a much higher proportion of our population was born overseas.

At the heart of success for a member of parliament is putting the community’s interests first. This means tackling housing affordability and access to social housing.

It also means addressing transport and access, with successive timetable changes meaning it was faster to get to the CBD from Liverpool by train in 1975 than it is now.

The other issue that is front of mind for people in our community is cost of living.

Richard Ammoun: Liberal

Liberal candidate Richard Ammoun. Picture: Supplied.

Living in the Liverpool area for over 30 years, I am extremely passionate about our community.

I have not only been a small-business owner, but am also part of a number of local boards and organisations, and currently representing the community as a Liverpool councillor.

With my wife Hwaida, we raised our three sons in the area.

I understand the everyday challenges families face and will be a strong advocate to ensure there is continued support for you and your family.

Why are you running?

For too long, Liverpool has missed out on the representation it deserves and needs someone who will work hard to deliver the services and infrastructure our growing community needs.

As part of Dominic Perrottet’s Liberal Team, I am ready to keep Liverpool moving forward – fighting for further investments in our education and health services, building critical community infrastructure, and supporting local small businesses.

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

1. Cost of living

2. Strong economy

3. Housing affordability

Amy Croft, The Greens

The Greens candidate, Amy Croft. Picture: Supplied.

I am a librarian, responsible for frontline IT and library support at CQ University.

The focus of my role is helping uni and TAFE students succeed and achieve their dreams through education.

Why are you running?

The two major parties are moving too slowly on issues like climate action, addressing the cost of living and housing crises, and First Nations justice.

I’m hoping for an opportunity to represent the people of Liverpool and push the next government to do better.

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

The cost of living, underfunded health and education in western Sydney, the need for better public transport.

Gabriel Hancock: Animal Justice Party

Animal Justice Party candidate, Gabriel Hancock. Picture: Supplied.

I am 71-years-old and a semi retired, self employed packaging consultant.

I am a single father to a 25-year-old son who lives with me and our beautiful dog.

I am in my element most when out of the cities and in this wonderful countryside of ours.

I am active in many areas of both animal welfare, conservation and a strong believer in urgently needing to combat global warming.

Why are you running?

I am running because of the deep passion I have for animals.

There are so very many injustices to animals in this world and such a cruel attitude from humans that animals are here for our convenience and they are treated as a commodity.

Also there is a very strong link between the production of animals for food and global warming, by the huge amount of methane gases those animals cause.

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

There are so very, very many ways that animals are so unfairly treated, it is hard to know where to start and where the priorities lay.

Horse racing and Dog racing are two incredibly cruel sports with the injuries in the racing and the disposal of uncompetitive individuals and retirements.

Live exports is an incredibly cruel process no matter what so called measures are put in place. Free roaming cats cause untold losses of our wildlife both in the country and suburbs.

Linda Harris:

Linda Harris. Picture: Supplied.

I am 65 years old and work as a machine operator at a book production facility in Moorebank. I am a member of the United Workers Union and have worked in warehouses and factories in food and other industries.

I was the Communist League candidate in the 2021 Canterbury-Bankstown council election.

Why are you running?

I am running to provide working people with an alternative to Liberal, Labor and the other capitalist politicians, something they can vote for.

The Communist League puts forward a program that starts with building solidarity among working people, using our unions to fight for safety, higher wages and jobs for all.

We urge solidarity with the people of Ukraine fighting Moscow’s brutal invasion and oppose the capitalist rulers’ drive to new wars.

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

Sky rocketing prices while wages, pensions and benefits stagnate is a common concern raised by workers I have talked to on their doorsteps.

Also, long hours and shift work, which leave little time for family, while child care is unaffordable.

Many see that the bosses and their parties are only concerned about profits and respond positively when I say that working people need our own party to fight to end capitalist rule.

Michael Andjelkovic: Independent

Independant candidate, Michael Andjelkovic. Picture: Supplied.

Michael Andjelkovic has been a resident of Liverpool for over 60 years.

He is the third of five generations to call Liverpool home.

Michael has a wealth of business experience initially gained from 11 years in the financial services and funds management industries plus 25 years experience in the building, construction industry and project management services.

Why are you running?

Michael has been the Independent Community Campaigner for Liverpool since March 1998 where he successfully assisted residents advocate for two multi level carparks at Edmondson Park Station, a multi level carpark at Leppington Station, the Edmondson Park Primary School and Edmondson Park High School (campaign ongoing) plus calling for the extension of the South West Rail Link from Leppington Station to the Western Sydney Airport.

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

1. Lower electricity prices

2. Supporting TAFE and local education

3. Better public transport in the Liverpool area