Get to know the seven candidates for Kingsford Smith
Want to know who to vote for in Kingsford Smith? Check out our profiles of all the candidates here.
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With the Federal Election only two-and-a-half weeks away, the Southern Courier has compiled profiles of the seven candidates vying for the safe Labor seat of Kingsford Smith.
The seat, held by Matt Thistlethwaite on a margin of 8.6 per cent, has been a Labor seat since its creation in 1949. Mr Thistlethwaite has been the federal member since 2013.
The candidates, from Labor, The Greens, the Liberal Party, Sustainable Australia, the Science Party, United Australia Party and the Christian Democratic Party will contest a seat that covers the suburbs of suburbs of Kensington, Kingsford, Randwick, Coogee, Daceyville, Eastlakes, Pagewood, Maroubra, Hillsdale, Botany, Mascot, Banksmeadow, Matraville, Chifley, Little Bay, Phillip Bay and La Perouse.
WHO YOU CAN VOTE FOR
JAMES CRUZ: THE GREENS
A bit about you: Librarian and union delegate who grew up in public housing near Lexington Place.
Your political background: I’ve been the candidate for Maroubra for the past two state elections, studied political economy at Sydney Uni and been involved in various campaigns.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. Action on climate change to protect our beaches and national parks.
2. Improving wages and working conditions to keep the cost of living in check.
3. Returning dignity to the Centrelink system.
What is your favourite pastime and why? I love a good dance, so going to a nightclub with some friends.
What is your favourite sports team and why? How could it be anything but Souths?
MATT THISTLETHWAITEE: LABOR
A bit about you: My wife Rachel and I are raising our four girls in Matraville. I grew up in Maroubra.
Your political background: I’m proud to have been Kingsford Smith MP since 2013. I’ve successfully campaigned for a new POWH operating suite and a trade-training centre at Champagnat College.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. Fighting for quality health services by opposing cuts to Medicare.
2. Standing up for more funding for local schools and TAFE.
3. Fighting to save Yarra Bay from a cruise ship terminal.
What is your favourite pastime and why? Surfing at Maroubra and helping out with my daughters’ nippers group.
What is your favourite sports team and why? The mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs!
PETRA CAMPBELL: SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA
A bit about you: Born in Sydney, grew up in the Blue Mountains. Spent 17 years travelling the world as a journalist, photographer, director and producer.
Your political background: Campaigned on global enviro and economic issues since the mid ’80s. Ran for state seat of Maroubra this year.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. Present an alternative, wholistic, sustainable, viable and optimistic future to our young people.
2. Sustainable planning, stop overdevelopment.
3. Sustainable employment.
What is your favourite pastime and why? Cooking, food, camping, music, family road trips.
What is your favourite sports team and why? All our Aussie athletes who represent our nation abroad.
IN OTHER NEWS
JAMES JANSSON: SCIENCE PARTY
A bit about you: I’m a programmer, mathematician and start-up founder in Fintech.
Your political background: I’ve been politically active my whole adult life. I served three years on the Sydney Uni SRC, and I’ve run in six elections since I started our party in 2013.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. Environment: I’ll push to stop old growth logging and set a target of 800 per cent renewables.
2. Education: Let’s fund public education.
3. Science: More money for scientific advances means better outcomes for health.
What is your favourite pastime and why? I’m really into emerging technology.
What is your favourite sports team and why? I don’t follow team sports that closely.
PETRA CAMPBELL: LIBERAL PARTY
A bit about you: I am a lawyer, chartered accountant and I live and work in Kingsford Smith.
Your political background: I have extensive experience as a public servant and consultant to the Federal Government in the Health, Defence and Attorney-General’s departments.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. I am very concerned about Labor’s tax policies. teachers, nurses, police officers and tradies stand to pay significantly more income tax.
2. Keeping people in meaningful employment is essential.
3. Busting local congestion.
What is your favourite pastime and why? Sailing. I have represented Australia in sailing regattas around the world.
What is your favourite sports team and why? The Rabbitohs.
ADAM WATSON: UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY
A bit about you: Business owner Adam Watson, 42, is the United Australia Party’s candidate for the federal division of Kingsford Smith covering Sydney’s south eastern suburbs.
This information was taken from the United Australia Party’s website. Mr Watson did not respond to the Southern Courier’s requests for a candidate profile. The photo was sourced from the UAP website.
ADRIAN MANSON: CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Mr Watson did not respond to the Southern Courier’s requests for a candidate profile and photograph.
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