NSW Election 2019: Meet the candidates for Keira
Learn more about the four candidates contesting the safe Labor seat of Keira before you head to the ballot box.
The Illawarra’s Keira electorate has been a Labor stronghold since 1988, but that hasn’t stopped three new candidates from taking a crack at the seat.
The seat will be contested by four candidates, one of which includes incumbent Labor MP and Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park, who has held the seat since 2011.
The candidates have taken time out of the busy schedules to tell you a bit about themselves, and what they’ll do if they’re elected at the upcoming NSW Election.
LABOR: RYAN PARK
Prior to becoming a Member of parliament I attended Wollongong University where I completed a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education — Leadership. I worked as a high school teacher at Lake Illawarra High School then worked in the Department of Education as a Curriculum Adviser before starting my career as a political adviser from 2004 to 2009. I was then Deputy Director General for Transport NSW. My wife Kara and I are raising our two sons, Preston and Oliver, in East Corrimal.
I have been the Member for Keira since 2011. I have also held the Shadow Ministerial portfolios of Roads, Education, Transport and am currently the Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Shadow Minister for the Illawarra.
Top three priorities for the Keira electorate
1. Transport and Infrastructure: In the Keira electorate we are a large commuter community and thousands of locals rely on public transport to get them to work each day. We need a review of the current failed timetable and eight carriages on all peak services, including the weekend. Labor has committed to prioritising public transport over building new toll roads.
2. Education: Schools in our region continue to be neglected by this Liberal Government. There is a large maintenance backlog in the Keira electorate for our local schools meaning our students are being forced to learn in second rate environment. There are also more than 60 demountable classrooms in schools in the electorate many of them more than 20 years old. Labor will invest $500 million to replace 1,000 demountables in NSW as well as airconditioning for every classroom.
3. Health: When I was first elected as the Member for Keira, Bulli Hospital was at real risk of being closed. I fought alongside my community to save the hospital and secure a significant investment which has allowed for the hospital to be rebuilt (currently underway). Health services in our region are particularly important and I am pleased that Labor has committed to ensuring the funding for Bulli Hospital redevelopment is secure, a $5 million upgrade to the maternity ward at Wollongong Hospital, a $4.5 million upgrade to the children’s ward at Wollongong Hospital and $1 million to fund eating disorder treatment services for the region.
LIBERAL: CHRIS ATLEE
Living locally with his wife and three children, Chris understands the challenges faced by local families in Keira, especially cost of living. And as the son of two former Police Officers, Chris is passionate about keeping our communities and our families safe.
Running his own businesses, and having been President of the Corrimal Chamber of Commerce, Chris knows first-hand the importance of a strong local economy to create jobs for young people and provide more services for hardworking families and retirees.
Now Chris wants to use his passion and experience as part of Gladys Berejiklian’s Liberal Team, to be a strong local voice for Keira.
Top three priorities for the Keira electorate
1. Further investment into public transport including additional carriages on trains, more peak services and upgrades to stations
2. Ensuring the F6 extension to encourage business growth and more jobs for the area
3. Ensuring further investment into schools and hospitals
SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA: JOHN GILL
I was born in Wollongong and have lived in the area all my life. I attended Lakelands PS and Dapto High, then studied electrical engineering at North Wollongong TAFE. I worked in the Port Kembla Steelworks for many years as an electrical supervisor then a Production Systems Controller. While there, I gained a Masters in Engineering at University of Wollongong in 2001. On taking voluntary redundancy in 2012, I attained a Diploma of Finance, currently running my own mortgage broking business. I’m passionate about the environment, bushwalking and camping.
I have been a member of Sustainable Australia for about two years. I joined because I believe we needed a voice in parliament from the political centre. Sustainable Australia in an independent party from the political centre with a focus on the real issues like secure jobs via a more diverse economy, affordable housing for first home buyers and renters and better planning to stop over development.
Top three priorities for the Keira electorate
1. Overdevelopment
2. Job security
3. Housing affordability
GREENS: KAYE OSBORN
I am running as a Greens candidate firstly for urgent climate action. We need a government that is a leader, not a laggard, to make a better future for all of us.
A Corrimal resident for 17 years, I work at UOW in international recruitment and am union Branch Vice President. I am also a singer with several local ensembles. I love the diversity and creativity in our community and am a passionate advocate for equality and protection of society’s most vulnerable.
I support improved public transport and more trains — both intercity and within Wollongong, more affordable housing and investment in education. I am committed to honesty, integrity and transparency and I’ll prioritise ordinary people and our environment. The Greens in parliament will deliver a fairer and more sustainable future.
Top three priorities for the Keira electorate
1. Action on climate change and protecting our environment for future generations
2. Better transport and more trains
3. Clean up politics and stop corporate political donations
I am a leading environmental campaigner for protection of the Sydney and Illawarra water catchment from the damaging impacts of longwall coal mining. I also strongly believe that we need to stem land clearing and the loss of wildlife and habitat. We have a responsibility to protect our environment for future generations.
The next decade is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our government must do more to combat climate change and protect our environment. We also need to transition our industry and economy, ensuring that workers in unsustainable industries do not suffer from the changes that have to be made.
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