Liberal candidate Pat Farmer ready for tough tilt at Maroubra

The state seat of Maroubra has always been a safe bet for Labor — but Liberal candidate Pat Farmer still likes his chances.

Liberal candidate Pat Farmer at Maroubra Beach. He will contest the Labor stronghold of Maroubra at this year’s NSW elections. Picture: Monique Harmer

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The state seat of Maroubra has always been a safe bet for Labor — but Liberal candidate Pat Farmer still likes his chances.

The former federal MP and ultra-marathon runner is up against Opposition Leader Michael Daley at the state election in March and he says he’s got the determination to win.

It’s hard to dismiss such a claim from the man who ran “pole to pole” in the world’s longest ultra-marathon.

The election could prove to be an even bigger challenge however. Mr Daley has held the seat since 2005, winning the last election with a comfortable 52 per cent of the vote.

But Mr Farmer said it was time for a change.

“For far too long the area has been taken for granted,” he said. “When I was asked to run, I said I will be a ‘small l’ Liberal and a big people person.”

Pat Farmer says he is not fazed by the huge challenge of taking on Opposition Leader Michael Daley for the seat of Maroubra. Picture: Monique Harmer

Mr Farmer, who grew up in a housing commission home and went on to become a mechanic after studying at Granville TAFE, said he will campaign for Maroubra’s low-income families.

This would include fighting for an increase in public transportation and connections to heavy rail as well as pursuing funding for a new TAFE in Maroubra.

Pat Farmer, left, with Swiss mountaineer Guy May on the summit of the Matterhorn. He realised his dream of climbing the mountain last August.

“I’m a big believer in TAFE. I think that TAFE is a very practical way — it’s a direct line to employment.”

He said his track record chasing funding meant the plan wasn’t “just another promise”. “When I was a federal member of parliament I got more than half a billion dollars directed into the electorate around the area of Campbelltown which had been neglected for a very long time. The thing about being an athlete, often people will tell you something is impossible — if an athlete thinks they can do something, they won’t be deterred.”

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