Meet the Camden candidates for the 2023 state election

The state election candidates for Camden reveal their top priorities as campaigning ramps up with days left until NSW decides who the next leader will be.

In less than a week, Camden residents will flock to the polling booths and decide who will lead the next chapter of the region’s future in politics.

With March 25 rapidly approaching and pre polling now open, campaigns are in full swing and eight politically diverse candidates are vying for the seat currently held by Liberal MP Peter Sidgreaves.

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

Jessie Bijok: Sustainable Australia Party

Jessie Bijok has spent most of her life in the southwest of Sydney, where her father ran a small selection growing market vegetables and rearing small numbers of cattle.

Now working in manufacturing-based industries after achieving a business degree, she has turned her eye to politics.

“I and many other voters have grave concerns over the current state of governance in NSW but especially in the areas around southwest Sydney where overdevelopment and rapid population growth is seriously impacting the environment and green space that we all love so much,” Ms Bijok said.

Jessie Bijok.

“I feel it is time for a change to sustainable governance and move back to sensible planning and controls.

“For this to happen, we need to de-corrupt politics in NSW.”

Ms Bijok said voters should choose her as the Sustainable Australia Party is an independent community movement with a “science and evidence-based policy platform”.

She said they were fighting to protect the environment, stop overdevelopment and stop corruption.

“This includes protecting endangered species habitats, native forests and local tree canopies; reducing Australia’s waste production; acting on climate change; stopping inappropriate high-rise and sprawl,” Ms Biko said.

“[It also includes] delivering new community infrastructure before more housing; stabilising Australia’s population size; transparent reporting of political donations and lobbying; and banning political donations from big business and unions.”

Garry Dollin: One Nation

Also contesting the seat of Camden is One Nation member Garry Dollin.

Describing himself as a 47-year-old husband and father to two boys and two girls, Mr Dollin has been a resident of the area for five years.

Mr Dollin works as a primary producer in aquaculture and is a fish farmer in a family business.

Garry Dollin.

“I am running as I believe politics is becoming more disconnected with the everyday Aussie family and worker with the rank-and-file politicians not willing to stand up for the people in fear of being ridiculed or even segregated from their party,” he said.

“I believe in old-school governance, i.e. the local MP regularly is in touch with his or her constituents and represents their concerns in parliament,” he said.

“This seems to not to be the case anymore, and politicians generally just ‘tow the party line’ regardless of his or her local electorate concerns.”

Emily Rivera: The Greens

Emily Rivera, 38, decided to run for the seat of Camden due to a “burning need” to do what is right.

Working in tech support, Ms Rivera has lived in Camden for five years but was raised in Macarthur.

“I have the will and the skill. I’ve seen past the veil and therefore have a burning need to do something about it,” she said.

“Not standing for what is right - and we are right - is like watching people shoplifting right in front of you and pretending they’re buying groceries.”

One of the main issues residents have spoken to her about is the legalisation of marijuana, as well as questioning how The Greens plan to pay for their policies.

Emily Rivera.

“We’re going to tax the ultra-wealthy. Did you know if we taxed the ultra-wealthy the 45 per cent top income tax rate, we’d earn over 90 billion dollars more a year in Australia,” Ms Rivera asked.

“That’s after all the economic wizardry they do to try and keep their reported income down.

“As Australia’s richest state, that’s a lot of tax we could recover just by forcing them to play by the rules everyone else is beholden to.”

Ms Rivera said they would also address the cost of living issues by enforcing a rental rise freeze.

She said they would establish an independent body to moderate, oversee and set rent controls and “dodgy landlords”.

When asked what her final pitch to voters was, Ms Rivera asked residents to imagine vampires are real.

“They exist out there sucking the blood of people in society, and one day you see one doing it. Could you just pretend they don’t exist anymore,” she asked.

“That’s what the people we in the Greens fight - the vampires of society.

“The people who feed off the disadvantaged, the people you don’t notice but are people just like you. They’re so good at convincing you that you’re not being fed upon that you don’t even know it’s happening to you. Or maybe you have noticed but decided you can’t do anything about it. You can.

“You can vote them out. It’s really as simple as that.”

Sally Anne Quinnell: Labor

Sally Quinnell, 45, has taught thousands of students through her work as a schoolteacher in southwest Sydney’s public, catholic, and independent schools, but now she is turning her eye to politics.

Mrs Quinnell said she, and her husband Damien, loved raising their three children locally and developed deep connections in schools and groups such as St Paul’s Camden and Camden Tigers and Oran Park Cricket Club.

She has also volunteered with multiple groups, including Nepean Ventures and sings at masses and weddings at St Paul’s Church in Camden.

“I am putting my hand up as I believe Camden deserves a strong local voice within NSW Parliament,” she said.

“The Liberal Government has had 12 years, and they have not delivered for our community.

“We have unprecedented growth in our area, and I am committed to delivering the services and infrastructure that our community has been crying out for.”

Ms Quinnell said, as an experienced teacher, she knew first-hand the crisis facing schools in Macarthur, including school overcrowding and the chronic teacher shortage.

She said she would ensure enough schools and teachers for the area.

Ms Quinnell said locals have often told her they are “sick of being slugged” with increasing tolls, an issue a Labor Government would address with a $60 weekly cap.

“I have listened to many parents who are deeply concerned about dangerous school crossings. I’ve therefore ensured that Labor is committed to delivering $1.5 million to upgrade school safety crossings,” she added.

Sally Quinnell

“For years, Gregory Hills and Gledswood Hills parents have been frustrated that their pleas for a local high school were ignored.

“Labor will fix the Government’s poor planning by building a public high school for these growing communities.”

When asked what her final pitch was to voters, Ms Quinnell said she would be a strong voice for her community.

“Camden has had unprecedented population growth, but when it comes to infrastructure planning, we are constantly being put at the bottom of the queue,” she said.

“Camden locals are sick of being taken for granted, and I want to make sure we have a voice in the decision-making of this state.

“Our education and emergency services cannot cope with another four years of a Perrottet Government.

“Be it a new High School for Gledswood Hill and Gregory Hills or safer crossing at our schools, such as Spring Farm Public, finding a place for a new hospital or keeping Camden Fire Station open. It’s time Camden got its fair share.”

Peter Sidgreaves: Liberal

Current Camden MP Peter Sidgreaves, 47, who also served as a former councillor and mayor of the region, says he is ready to keep fighting for the residents.

Married to Amy, a local schoolteacher, they are raising their four daughters in Harrington Park. Mr Sidgreaves said he is passionate about Camden and takes pride in delivering for the community.

He said the cost of living, education and emergency services were the top three issues raised by residents.

Mr Sidgreaves pointed to funding from the NSW Liberal and National Government for residents and businesses with more than 70 rebates and savings, including up to $750 a year in toll relief.

“It is important that new and upgraded schools continue to cater for the rapid growth in Camden,” he said.

Peter Sidgreaves.

“Since 2019 in Camden, we have opened six new schools, including Yandelora School, Gledswood Hills Public School, Barramurra Public School, Denham Court Public School, Gregory Hills Public School, and Oran Park High School, as well as upgrading Harrington Park Public School.

“Like schools, it is important that new emergency services continue to cater for the rapid growth in Camden. Recently, the NSW Liberal and National Government opened a new fire station in Oran Park that includes 32 permanent firefighters and two firefighting appliances with specialised HAZMAT capabilities.

“Further, there will be a new ambulance station in Narellan, and we have started employing over 2000 paramedics.”

In his final pitch to voters, Mr Sidgreaves pointed to funding from the NSW Liberal and National Government since 2019m including $632 million for stage 2 of the Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment, a new multi-storey commuter car park at Leppington station and the commencement of construction of the Spring Farm Parkway.

“You can rely on me and an NSW Liberal government to keep Camden moving forward,” he said.