Parramatta MP Julie Owens retires from politics

A long-serving western Sydney MP has revealed she will step down from politics — an announcement that has unearthed several hopefuls jostling for the federal seat which needs ‘new energy’.

Parramatta federal Labor MP Julie Owens has revealed that she won’t run in the next federal election, and candidates vying to replace her from the same party are tipped to be Granville MP Julia Finn or Durga Owen.

After 17 years as the Parramatta MP, Ms Owens announced on Thursday that she would stand down ahead of the national poll, slated to be early 2022.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,’’ she said.

“I’m 63-years-old. I got married last year and I want to spend time with my grandchildren.

“It’s been fantastic but I’d be 67 at the next election.

“I love doing it and there’s so much more that I would have liked to do. I just felt I was getting to the point where there really needed to be some new energy and serving Parramatta is so diverse, it takes so much effort … so the idea that I could talk more time with my family and still serve Parramatta is not true.’’

Julie Owens has been Parramatta’s federal MP since 2004. Picture: Jordan Shields

She said directing community groups on issues such as obtaining grants, rather than singling out a particular project, was her finest achievement.

“Most members of parliament will say ‘I built this and I built that’ but it’s the relationships that build a community,’’ she said.

Ms Owen, a 37-year-old North Parramatta resident and criminal lawyer who works part time at the Western Sydney University law faculty, confirmed she was planning on running for the federal seat.

“I’ve been involved in politics for 22 years,’’ she said.

As a member of the Left at the Harris Park ALP branch, the former Macarthur Girls’ and Arthur Phillip High School student said she had already received strong support for running for the seat.

“People know me as a local activist and someone who’s very active politically and many people come up to me and said ‘ This is something you should consider’,’’ she said.

Durga Owen wants a tilt at federal politics.

Granville state Labor MP Julia Finn in the heart of her electorate at Merrylands. Picture: Monique Harmer

Ms Owen was unsuccessful as Labor’s Seven Hills candidate in 2019, when Liberal Mark Taylor retained the state seat.

Asked if she was mentoring solicitor Ms Owen to run for Labor, Ms Owens said she would let ALP members choose a candidate.

“I will support whoever the branch members will choose,’’ she said.

“I think she’s an amazing person and I hope she runs at some point and I hope she wins at some point but I’m committed to rank and file preselection.’’

The more experienced Ms Finn, who has been the Granville state Labor MP since 2015 and was on Parramatta Council for 17 years including a 13-month stint as the Lord Mayor in 2004 and 2005, could have a tilt at federal politics.

Ms Owens described her as “a great member’’ but did not officially endorse successors.

Ms Finn did not rule out standing but noted there was still more work to be undertaken in her state role to assist the Covid-ravaged Cumberland community.

“It’s certainly something I need to talk to my family, party members and Chris Minns about,’’ she said.

“I think the membership needs to have a say. It’s a marginal seat ... it’s also important from the area that knows Parramatta well because it’s a unique, special place.’’

Parramatta councillor Donna Davis has been another name tipped to run for Labor but when approached for comment expressed shock over Ms Owens’ departure.

“To be honest it hadn’t really crossed my mind,’’ she said.

“Right at this point of time my focus is on the city of Parramatta. There’s so much going down.

“Julie has been a tireless representative for her entire community and will be a hard act to follow for any future candidate and MP.’’

Builder and engineer Charles Camenzuli is a potential Liberal candidate, as is Parramatta councillor Martin Zaiter, who was contacted for comment.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Steve Issa dismissed suggestions of running for a federal or state seat as a Liberal hopeful.

“Maybe in 10 years,’’ he said.

“I’ve got a career and a family and I want to concentrate on those two things.

“I really love my role on Parramatta Council and my ability to influence the lives of people through my local government,’’ he said.

“I’d do it for free.’’

As a father of a five-year-old son with severe special needs, he said he could achieve more, such as the playground at Ollie Webb Reserve at Parramatta, as a councillor.

“Being on local government allows me to do things for families like mine,’’ he said.

“These are things you can do at local government that you can’t do sitting on the backbench at Macquarie St.’’

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