Meet the Macquarie Fields candidates for the NSW 2023 state election

The state election candidates for Macquarie Fields 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, Macquarie Fields 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 Labor MP Anoulack Chanthivong.

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

Donna-Jane Wilson: Animal Justice Party

Donna-Jane Wilson is running as a candidate for the Animal Justice Party and was contacted for comment, however did not respond.

Michael Clark: Sustainable Australia Party

Michael Clark joined the Sustainable Australia Party in 2010 over concerns with the maddening rush of overdevelopment and environmental degradation.

“This is also a growing concern within my community,” he said.

“After witnessing the passing of nine years, the situation has gotten no better, and I believe it is time for a significant change.

“I began working in 1980 where I eventually found myself in a life career in a manufacturing industry located in Ingleburn where I worked my way up from the factory floor to the position of Finance Director.”

Michael Clark.

Mr Clark has lived his entire life in southwest Sydney and said, with his parents being WWII veterans, he was taught the values of honesty, integrity and respect from an early age.

He said the three main issues that voters have been talking to him about are protecting the environment, stopping overdevelopment and stopping corruption.

“Sustainable Australia Party is an independent community movement with a science and evidence-based policy platform,” Mr Clark said.

“We are fighting to protect our 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; 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.”

Gemma Noiosi: Liberal Democrat

Gemma Noiosi is running for the Liberal Democrats and was contacted for comment, however did not respond.

According to an online statement, Gemma Noiosi was born and raised in South Western Sydney.

Gemma Noiosi.

In 2009 she studied Music Business and from 18 years old, she has been working in the music industry as a professional singer.

Alongside her music career from 2013 she was a registered strata manager, however retired from that role when she became a mother.

“Gemma and her husband, Anthony, are true advocates for small business, low taxes, family values and personal freedom,” the statement said.

“After many years of being a ‘swing’ voter, she realised that Libertarianism was the socially and economically consistent political philosophy she has believed all along and joined the Liberal Democrats.

“She was opposed to the Federal and State Governments response to Covid and realised that change is needed for Australians to truly be ‘one and free’.”

Dr Khairul Haque Chowdhury: Liberal

After having lived in the area for two decades, Khairul Chowdhury is running for the Liberal Party in a bid to win the seat of Macquarie Fields.

He has taught in all three sectors – University of Wollongong, NSW TAFE and NSW Department of Education - for the last three decades.

“I am running to represent the people of Macquarie Fields and will fight for the issues that matter to local residents,” he said.

Khairul Chowdhury

Dr Chowdhury said the main issues raised with him by voters are the pressures of family budgets, rising interest rates, and the local services and infrastructure needed in the region.

“Only the Perrottet Liberal Team has a plan to manage the State’s finances and ensure Macquarie Fields receives the necessary investment into key areas such as cost of living, education, hospitals, roads, infrastructure, and services,” he said.

“I have close ties to the community, having been one of the founders of the Campbelltown School of Bengali Language and Culture as well as other community organisations.

“The Macquarie Fields community means so much to me. It would be a great honour to be their voice in NSW Parliament.”

Seamus Lee: The Greens

While Seamus Lee does not live in the Macquarie Fields electorate, he was asked by The Greens Group to stand, and if successful would move as to best represent his constituents.

The 31-year-old works as a senior consultant for a website CRM firm.

Seamus Lee.

“I am running because I believe we need to have more affordable and social housing in the electorate and deal with the rental crisis. We also need to ensure that our Koala population stays healthy and safe,” Mr Lee said.

“The issues are the rental crises that we have at the moment, the public healthcare system and school crisis.

“The Greens are committed to fixing the rental crisis, ensuring that we have sustainable development, protecting our Koala population and ensuring that we have high quality public health care in the area.”

Anoulack Chanthivong: Labor

Labor’s Anoulack Chanthivong is the current Macquarie Fields MP and Shadow Minister for Finance, Industry and Trade.

The 45-year-old was first elected in the state position in 2015 after serving on Campbelltown City Council for 12 years.

“I became interested in politics from a young age because I wanted to help make our community and country a better place,” Mr Chanthivong said.

“I became involved in the Labor Party in 1996 when I was 19. From early on, I wanted to help advocate for our local area and develop ideas and policies that would improve people’s lives.

“It is a privilege to represent my community in NSW Parliament, and every day I continue to fight for my community’s fair share. I am proud of the success of my community campaigns that have delivered great results for local residents.”

Southwest Sydney has been Mr Chanthivong’s home for almost 40 years, and it is where he and his wife Anna are raising their two children.

Anoulack Chanthivong.

He said the cost of living is the main issue voters have raised concerns about.

“People are doing it tough. Inflation is at an all-time high, prices are going up, and wages are stagnant,” Mr Chanthivong said.

“A Chris Minns NSW Labor Government is committed to scrapping the public service wages cap, which has been a handbrake on productivity.

“We will deliver fair wages, productivity growth and better public services. NSW Labor will also introduce a $60 weekly toll cap. This will be an immediate help to ease the burden of increasing tolls across Sydney and Western Sydney.”

Mr Chanthivong said voters have also raised concerns about the health system and education.

He said Labour would implement minimum safe staffing levels for nurses and midwives in public hospitals, deliver an additional 1200 nurses and midwives and provide 600 extra hospital beds in Western Sydney.

“A Chris Minns NSW Labor Government will deliver a $400 million Education Future Fund to include free literacy and numeracy tutoring in all public schools,” he added.

“NSW Labor will create 10,000 more permanent teaching roles in NSW by shifting temporary positions into permanent roles in a bid to stem teacher attrition rates.

“A Minns Labor Government will deliver $4.1 million for a new sports high school in Eagle Vale to cater for the growing number of gifted and talented athletes in local suburbs.”

When asked what his final pitch to voters was, Mr Chanthivong said it was time for a fresh start.

“I’ve had the privilege of representing our local area in the NSW Parliament for the past eight years, and, with people’s support, I look forward to continuing to fight for our community’s fair share every day,” he said.