Battle for Parramatta seat begins after MP Geoff Lee plans retirement

Labor’s Parramatta federal election win might have buoyed its chances of clinching the state seat but members are determined to avoid the drama that engulfed its campaign ahead of the May ballot.

The race for the Parramatta state seat is heating up following state Liberal MP Geoff Lee’s retirement and while the Labor win in May could also help turn the state seat red, party sources said head office must not repeat the mistakes of the federal election.

Despite trumping the Liberals with a comfortable win on May 21, controversy engulfed the Labor decision to parachute eastern suburbs millionaire Andrew Charlton into the multicultural seat instead of allowing members to select their preferred candidate in a preselection.

It is understood there will be a preselection to “avoid the controversy” but a ballot will be scrapped if only one hopeful, likely to be Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis, is put forward to battle it out on March 25.

A party member who wished to remain anonymous said: “It’s important there is a preselection process and it’s not a repeat of Andrew Charlton.’’

There are also calls for more diverse faces to represent the melting pot electorate, whether they’re Labor or Liberal.

The Parramatta local government area is home to the largest population of Indian people in Australia, with more than 29,000 residents born in India.

Labor parachuted in Andrew Charlton to Parramatta instead of having a preselection. Picture: Damian Shaw

Little India Harris Park Business Association president Sanjay Deshwal ruled out an interest in running for the Liberals but echoed calls for the party to field a candidate who reflects constituents.

“I think it would be important to have multicultural (candidates) like Dr Geoff was,’’ he said.

“He’s a terrible loss for the Liberal Party.

“Parramatta is a migrant community so they would be looking for multicultural people rather than the backlash with Australian (Anglo) people.’’

Mr Lee was the first member of the NSW Legislative Assembly to have Chinese heritage.

Possible Labor names emerging are familiar on the Parramatta campaign circuit — Durga Owen, Alan Mascarenhas, Elizabeth Scully and Anthony Ellard — while for the Liberals perennial candidate Charles Camenzuli could return but Baulkham Hills MP David Elliott’s chief of staff Tanya Raffoul is a new name thrown in the mix.

They did not respond to requests for comment.

Cr Davis did not respond but it is understood the party has been grooming the mayor who has long been regarded as the shoo-in.

Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee is retiring from politics.

Mr Lee’s announcement on Monday shocked Labor and Liberal members who noted that he was still carrying out engagements in Wentworth Point at the weekend.

The father-of-one cited family reasons for his retirement after 12 years in the role, in which he named Parramatta’s reposition as the central city for being his biggest achievement.

He is also proud of securing several billions of dollars worth of infrastructure, such as CommBank Stadium, the Powerhouse Museum and light rail, and drawing 12,000 public servants from Sydney CBD to Parramatta.

He would not be drawn on individuals vying for the job.

“The successful candidate should have a passion for the people and city of Parramatta,’’ he said.

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