Federal Election 2019: Profiles of the candidates for the seat of Blaxland
Get to know your candidates for the safe Labor seat of Blaxland.
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Five candidates are competing for the very safe Labor seat of Blaxland and if you want to know who to vote for we have provided their profiles.
Federal Labor MP Jason Clare has been the Member for Blaxland since 2007. It is one of the safest Labor seats in the country with a whopping 19.5 per cent margin.
Mr Clare is the Opposition spokesman for Resources and Northern Australia and Trade and Investment.
The seat of Blaxland has only had four members since it was created in 1949 — all Labor. Blaxland covers Auburn, parts of Lidcombe, Berala, South Granville, Chester Hill, Bass Hill, Regents Park, Yagoona, Georges Hall, Milperra, Condell Park and parts of Bankstown
HERE ARE YOUR CANDIDATES
VERONICA ROWE
CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Ms Rowe did not respond to the Canterbury Bankstown Express’s request for a candidate profile or photo.
OZ GUNEY
LIBERAL PARTY
A bit about you: Ihave been a licensed real estate agent for 21 years and am now CEO of Award Real-Estate. I am married and a father of four beautiful children. I am an active member of the local Blaxland community. I help Sacred Outreach with their homeless runs. I am also a Justice of the Peace.
Your political background: I have been an active member of the Greens since high school and a member of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. Local jobs. We need to help people find local employment.
2. Funding for public schools is also essential in our region.
3. Investment in healthcare.
What is your favourite pastime and why? I’ve got four kids. They’ve become my focus, and everything I do in my spare time is to support them and their passions.
What is your favourite sports team and why? I’m a big fan of football (soccer) and support the local Auburn football club.
JASON CLARE
LABOR
A bit about you: I was born and raised here in Western Sydney. I am married to Louise and we are raising our little boy Jack in our local community.
Your political background:
I have done lots of jobs from collecting trolleys at Fairfield Woolies and waiting tables at Carramar Sizzler. I am currently privileged to represent our local community in the Australian Parliament.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. Jobs.
2. Education.
3. Health.
Labor will reverse the Liberal’s cuts to our local schools, hospitals and penalty rates. We will also make the most important investment in Medicare since Bob Hawke created it.
What is your favourite pastime and why? I love being a dad. When I am not working I spend every moment I can with my little boy.
What is your favourite sports team and why? I have been an Eels fan since I was knee high to a grasshopper.
NADEEM ASHRAF
UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY
A bit about you: Nadeem Ashraf is the son of Late Hajji Mohammed Ashraf, a humble, well known and respected member of the Pakistani and local Auburn community. Nadeem is a family man married for 10 years and has three young children, ages from 1 to 7.
Your political background:
A Justice of the Peace (JP) since 1999, making him the youngest JP in NSW at that time.
Nadeem was also an independent candidate for Auburn Council in 2012. In 2013 he joined the Palmer United Party and contested the seat of Reid.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. Cheap energy and fuel
2. Lower taxes — 20 per cent less tax for people living in regional areas.
3. Stop foreign powers influencing Australian politics.
What is your favourite pastime and why? No response
What is your favourite sports team and why? No response
JAMES ROONEY
THE GREENS
A bit about you: I am a high school history teacher with more than 20 years experience in education. I have a Masters Degree in History from the University of Sydney and live with my wife and family in Bass Hill.
Your political background:
I was the Greens candidate for Bankstown for the NSW State Election, and for Revesby Ward in the 2017 Local Government elections.
Top three priorities in the electorate:
1. Immediate and effective action on climate change.
2. A ban on political donations from large corporations, the fossil fuel industry, mining and property developers.
3. Clean, safe and reliable public transport.
What is your favourite pastime and why? I am a keen bushwalker. Bushwalking is a wonderful way to appreciate the incredible beauty of this wonderful country of ours, to commune with nature and to ground yourself.
What is your favourite sports team and why? The North Sydney Bears and the Western Sydney Wanderers.
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