Banks candidates’ policies and what they stand for in 2022 federal election

The election is only days away on May 21 and here is a comprehensive list of the Banks candidates. Find out who they are, their promises and policies for the electorate and their last ditch pitch to voters.

The federal election will be held on Saturday, May 21 where Australia will decide on who should lead the country.

Banks residents will flock to polling booths to cast their vote for the candidate they think is best to represent their views in parliament.

Campaigns are in the final stretch and six politically diverse candidates are vying for the Banks seat currently held by Liberal MP David Coleman.

Since the last election in 2019 the country has dealt with the devastating impacts of Covid, bushfires and floods.

Suburbs in key seat of Banks include Allawah, Carlton (part), Connells Point, East Hills, Lugarno, Mortdale, Oatley, Panania, Padstow, Padstow Heights, Hurstville Grove, Picnic Point, Revesby, Riverwood and South Hurstville.

The candidates putting up their hands to represent the people of Banks have revealed their top priorities should they get elected.

Find out who they are, their promises and policies for the electorate and their last ditch pitch to voters.

Natalie Hanna is a Greens candidate running in 2022 federal election in the seat of Banks. Picture: Supplied

Natalie Hanna, The Greens

Natalie Hanna is a mum and a local living along the Georges River in Southern Sydney who doesn’t feel represented and wants more diversity of voices in our parliament.

“The seat of Banks has never elected a woman to represent us, and there are very few MPs with a STEM background,” she said. “I trained as a geophysicist and have worked across the mining and construction industries. I know we have the technology to transition to a low carbon economy. What we are lacking is political will. I want to be your MP to change the conversation and deliver on the issues that are most important to us.”

Ms Hanna said if elected, the Greens would show strong leadership on climate change as they are the only party taking science-based emission reduction targets to the election.

“In 2010 we secured free dental for children under 12. Now we want to finish the job and allow everyone access to free dental care,” she said. “We will bring in free mental health care without the long waiting lists, delivered locally. We will bring in free childcare to support parents returning to the workforce as currently in our area we lack enough childcare spots and services are unaffordable. We will establish a long overdue federal integrity commission.”

Ms Hanna said the Greens didn’t accept donations from corporates, only individuals.

“This means we can’t be bought by the fossil fuel lobby or developers. Our integrity is baked in. Our policies are developed by us, our grassroots members who are everyday people, not top down like the major parties who are out of touch,” she said.

“If you want someone who will listen and represent your views, vote 1 for Natalie Hanna, The Greens and vote 1 in the Senate for The Greens. So come join me in building an inclusive society that cares for people and planet by investing in education, health and the new low carbon economy.”

Elouise Cocker is a Liberal Democrats Party candidate running in 2022 federal election in the seat of Banks. Picture: LDP website

Elouise Cocker, Liberal Democrats Party

Elouise Cocker wants to be a voice for freedom in parliament for the Australians whose struggles have been ignored or even looked down upon by politicians over the past two years of lockdowns and Covid restrictions.

“If elected into parliament I would do everything in my power to prevent these restrictions from happening again,” she said.

“I also want to speak out against the regulations and tax burdens that have strangled small businesses and the working class. The cost of living is only getting higher and we need policies in place to resolve this problem.”

She has vowed, if elected to reduce the size of government, advocates for freedom of speech, will cut taxes and reduce red tape that is burdening small businesses and preventing entrepreneurship.

“These policies will help with the cost of living. In general my policies always come down to removing government interference in Australian lives and giving the freedom of responsibility back to the individual,” she said.

“If you vote for me and the party I represent, I can promise you one thing and that is we stand on principle. Less government is the answer to more freedom. The Liberal Democrats have stood for less government since we began 20 years ago and will never change.”

David Coleman MP speaking during a reception at the State Library of New South Wales in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley

David Coleman, Liberal (Incumbent)

David Coleman was elected to the House of Representatives as the Federal Member for Banks in September 2013. His profile on the Liberal Party website said Mr Coleman was re-elected in 2016 and appointed as the Assistant Minister for Finance in 2017. In 2018, David was appointed as the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. In December 2020 he was appointed the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

Prior to entering politics, David worked in the private sector, principally in the media and technology industries. He was director of strategy and digital at Nine Entertainment Co, chairman of ninemsn, and held board positions with a number of other companies including Sky News and 3P Learning, the operator of the Mathletics business. He also worked with the management consulting firm McKinsey and Co, and had his own consulting business.

David completed degrees in Law and Arts from UNSW. While at UNSW, he was elected President of the Student Guild. He is married to Dotte and they have two children, Caroline and Joseph.

Zhi Soon is a Labor Party candidate running in 2022 federal election in the seat of Banks. Picture: Labor Party website

Zhi Soon, Labor

Zhi Soon migrated with his family from Malaysia as child, living first in Hurstville before settling in Revesby, his profile on the Labor Party website says.

From serving as a diplomat for DFAT in Afghanistan to previously working as a senior executive with the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership, Zhi’s career has been focused on public service.

He said he is running because he believes we need a federal government that cares about his area and community.

Mr Soon is committed to creating secure, well-paid jobs by working with business to rebuild manufacturing, grow new industries and train a high skilled workforce; strengthening Medicare, making it easier and more affordable to see a doctor; investing in education, TAFE and more affordable childcare to help our children succeed; and building better infrastructure to reduce congestion.

Marika Momircevski is a United Australia Party candidate running in 2022 federal election in the seat of Banks. Picture: UAP website

Marika Momircevski, United Australia Party

Marika Momircevski’s profile on the United Australia Party says she was born in Sydney to immigrant parents from Macedonia. Ms Momircevski lived in St Peters, Tempe, until her early teens before moving to Padstow, where she attended East Hills Girls High School and graduated in 1993.

Ms Momircevski completed her Bachelor in Nursing from Sydney University in 1997 and started working as a novice nurse at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital. Studious and tenacious, Marika worked her way up the nursing ranks and completed a Masters in Clinical Cardiovascular Nursing.

Up until the NSW government’s Public Health Order mandating vaccinations for health care workers last year, she was clinical nurse consultant in cardiology at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.

In 1999 Ms Momircevski married her now husband and welcomed their first son the following year. In 2003 the growing family added their first daughter and three years later a second daughter. The proud mother of three gave birth to all of her children at Bankstown Hospital.

Throughout her nursing career Ms Momircevski has remained a vigilant member of the NSW Nursing Association (NSWNA) for 25 years and was active in campaigning for nurses’ injustices and rights. She has been a member of the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) for the past 20 years and also served as the union’s Branch President at Bankstown Hospital for 10 years.

Steve Khouw is an independent candidate running in 2022 federal election in the seat of Banks. Picture: Facebook

Steve Khouw, Independent

A grateful Aussie migrant, patriot & freedom warrior, for a better Australia for generations to come, his Facebook page says.

“A key platform of my candidacy is to restore justice to the menfolk victims and survivors of domestic violence, in the dysfunctional family court system and the equally broken child support regime,” he said in a Facebook post.

“I support the legislative removal of the moratorium on nuclear and the establishment of a nuclear technology research & development centre in Lucas Heights with emphasis on small modular reactor (SMR) and molten salt reactor (MSR) technologies. I support nuclear into our energy mix, let fair market forces and economics dictates their viability, rather blind, senseless ideologies.”

He also said he is pro-business, particularly the small and medium-sized enterprises for this is where the energy and engine of the economy lies. I aim to be the small business voice in Canberra with a focus on making it easier to employ people; cutting down red tapes; simplifying and streamlining tax system and building infrastructure that enhance local business.