NSW Election 2019: Labor’s Cameron Murphy eyes marginal seat of East Hills

Cameron Murphy is counting on his political experience to win him and Labor the coveted seat of East Hills, saying he has been campaigning hard for nearly an year.

Cameron Murphy with his wife Agatha and children Finbar and Ariadne in Padstow. Picture: Robert Pozo

• Meet your candidates for the state election
• From student to boss, her motto is Never Give Up

CAMERON Murphy is counting on his political experience to win him and Labor the coveted seat of East Hills, saying he has been campaigning full-time for nearly an year.

On Saturday, March 23, the 45-year-old lawyer will battle it out with Liberal’s Wendy Lindsay, Lisa Maddock (Keep Sydney Open), Suzan Virago (The Greens), Owen Butt (CDP ‒ Fred Nile Group), Heather Barnes (Animal Justice Party) and Chris Brogan (Independent).

East Hills is the most marginal seat in NSW with Liberal MP Glenn Brookes winning the last election by less than 400 votes. This is the second time that Mr Murphy is contesting the seat.

Cameron Murphy is counting on his experience to see him through. Picture: Robert Pozo

Mr Brookes said he wants to retire and spend time with his family after two successive terms, where he dislodged Labor in what was once their safe seat.

“I am committed to do the best job I can for the area because it is a place where I want my kids to grow up,” Mr Murphy told the Express.

“I have been working on the campaign full-time for the past nine months and meeting residents.

“I have been in the Labor Party for more than 25 years and I have the experience.

“But I will not be taking anything for granted.

“I think our campaign is going very well and I have been receiving very positive reactions from the people.

“We have very good policies to deal with the issues.

Cameron Murphy with wife Agatha and children Finbar and Ariadne. Picture: Robert Pozo

“The big three issues are overdevelopment, the cost of living and the government’s medium density housing code, which should be scrapped.

“The problem here is unplanned development because development should have controls and we don’t want to lose the village-like atmosphere we have.

“The electricity prices have gone up 60 per cent and we have the policies (to bring the prices down).

“We will support more solar panels in the area.”

Mr Murphy, who has worked in legal aid, is married to Agatha and has two children, Finbar, 4, and Ariadne, 3.

Mr Murphy said Labor plans to double the number of solar panels in the area, which is now around 7000 homes.

“Labor plans to train TAFE people on how to properly install solar panels,” Mr Murphy said.

Mr Murphy.

“No one thinks they are better off under the Liberal Government., what with rising electricity prices and tolls.

“Labor also plans to reduce the price of the train ticket to the airport if we win the election.

“During my door knocking I met people working at the airport who said the tickets cost too much.

“I have really worked hard for the past five years to get the right Labor policies for our area and I can deliver them.”

Voting is compulsory in NSW and Australia and residents in Bankstown, Canterbury, East Hills and Lakemba can also send in postal votes or do the pre-polling.