NSW Election 2019: Very marginal seat of East Hills could be a game changer
East Hills, being the most marginal seat in the NSW election on Saturday, could be one of the deciding electorates in what is being called a tight poll.
EAST Hills is the most marginal seat in the election and has attracted seven candidates, including one independent.
Liberal MP Glenn Brookes won the last election by fewer than 400 votes but has stepped down. Mr Brookes wants to spend time with his family after two successive terms, where he dislodged Labor in what was once their safe seat.
This is the second time that Labor’s Cameron Murphy is contesting the seat with the lawyer facing a challenge from local broadcaster Wendy Lindsay.
Both rivals live in Padstow and could possibly cast their votes at the Padstow Park Public School polling booth.
We asked all candidates for East Hills to send information about themselves and their policies. Here are the interesting comments from those who responded.
We will add the others if and when they send it in.
ELECTORATE: East Hills
NAME: Cameron Murphy
PARTY: Labor
A BIT ABOUT YOU: Lives in Padstow with wife Agatha and two children (aged 4 and 2). Barrister.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE: Ran as Labor candidate for East Hills in 2015. Long term member of Labor Party, member of state and national policy committees.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
Addressing Liberal overdevelopment that is unfair to our area with a sensible plan
Fixing cost of living issues like electricity prices and tolls
Funding schools and hospitals before stadiums.
NAME: Lisa Maddock
PARTY: Keep Sydney Open
A BIT ABOUT YOU: I was born in Sydney and I am a long-term resident of East Hills. I work as a technology consultant and I am passionate about supporting culture and diversity in the local community. I believe that a revival of the night time economy is vital for Sydney to maintain its status as a world city. I have spent several years living in Europe and see much opportunity for change in Sydney.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE: I have a professional background in the technology and legal sectors and have first-hand experience in the start-up business industry. I stood up as a candidate, as I believe that the current government has lost the ability to listen and wants to see a new and open approach to politics that is based on evidence and consultation with the local community.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE: A better transport system, including 24-hour transport and providing oversight of major infrastructure projects (such as the Metro line) to ensure taxpayers get value for money; Stopping overdevelopment of the local area; Ending the crisis on housing to make Sydney more affordable and liveable.
NAME: Suzan Virago
PARTY: The Greens
A BIT ABOUT YOU: I have worked on the Australian waterfront for over two decades and have seen first hand why we need to protect penalty rates and ensure that there are strong safety laws. As well as working full time, I’m a mother of three and am currently studying a Bachelor of Sustainability at the University of New England. I am concerned about adequate funding for public education and will fight for universal health care through the protection of Medicare, and funding for public hospitals.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE: I have stood in the 2016 federal election for Blaxland, and the 2018 local council elections. I have spent decades campaigning for issues that affect our communities in various roles in unions and international committees.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE: Real action on climate change; Creating stronger communities; Keeping public transport public.
NAME: Rev Owen Butt
PARTY: Christian Democratic Party
A BIT ABOUT YOU: Electrical Engineer, Uniting Church pastor, now in active retirement. Wonderful wife Lynda who I lost to cancer 10 years ago. Four great kids, the oldest born with special needs. I love GOD, love people (even ornery ones), and remain HOPE-filled whatever comes, because of GOD.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE: I have been involved with people, and a very wide range of them, all of my adult life.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE: To choose three issues is to exclude hundreds of other issues (and people). For my team and I, our solid commitment to the electorate is that if we are elected, we will take seriously every person who comes to us, listen carefully, be honest and do everything we can to help.
NAME: Chris Brogan
PARTY: Independent
A BIT ABOUT YOU: I have been a local for roughly 15 years and I plan to see out my days as local of East Hills. My wife’s family has called East Hills home since before WWII, and I was lucky enough to meet her and move here in 2004. I value the village atmosphere and the relationships I have built over the last 15 years. I firmly believe both the major parties have sold us out at all levels of government and are more interested in doing favours for their mates, rather working for us to protect our way of life and promote sustainable growth. That is why I made the choice to run in the NSW State Election, to offer our East Hills a viable and hardworking alternative.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE: For years I have championed our green space and our river. This includes preventing development on the river and poor development around our region. For that reason I ran as an Independent at the recent council elections. Over the last couple months I have made daily trips through our villages, and instead of littering the streets with signs, I have taken the time to actually talk with real people, like you and me.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE: At the micro level it is local parking and congestion, particularly around school pick and drop offs — so while we need more parking at train stations, if we had better bus services and more importantly more higher paying jobs closer to home and planned for Western Sydney, we would dramatically reduce local congestion; Privatisation of our rail system by stealth via the creation of inferior metro lines will cost our city and state dearly of the long term; the over development of East Hills is set to happen if we do nothing and it is not as simple as changing government or stopping spot rezoning.
THE LIST OF CANDIDATES IN BALLOT PAPER ORDER: Lisa Maddock (Keep Sydney Open); Suzan Virago (The Greens); Owen Butt (CDP — Fred Nile Group); Wendy Lindsay (Liberals); Heather Barnes (Animal Justice Party); Cameron Murphy (Labor); Christopher Brogan (Independent).
WHERE TO VOTE: bit.ly/2Clgfln
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