Labor’s latest threat in Western Sydney revealed as Muslim voter campaign ramps up
Labor is facing a multi-pronged assault in its western Sydney heartland – with the dual threat of a new Muslim campaign group and a high-profile mayor’s potential Senate bid.
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Labor is facing a multi-pronged assault in its western Sydney heartland – with the dual threat of a new Muslim campaign group and a high-profile mayor’s potential federal election nomination creating a new headache for Anthony Albanese.
Labor Ministers responsible for large Muslim populations reinforced their commitments to the demographic, saying they “want the killing to stop” as a new independent campaign ramps up its efforts to topple them with Muslim candidates.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone is considering a run for the Senate, in a move which enables his running mate, Fowler MP Dai Le, to run again for the seat.
The pair have also renamed their political party, choosing the title Western Sydney Community, replacing the name Dai Le and Frank Carbone Network, in a move to swallow up more of the region’s votes.
“If the major parties don’t look after our community, I’ll always do what’s best for them – and if that means contesting the election, so be it,” Mr Carbone said.
He said The Muslim Vote grassroots campaign, which is targeting a number of key seats across NSW and the nation, shows “the Labor Party can’t take its heartland for granted”.
“Clearly there is a big divide now in western Sydney and the Labor Party is on the nose with mums and dads,” he said.
Fowler MP Dai Le said local independent or minor party candidates like herself could cash in on discontent with Labor in western Sydney.
“The major parties have really neglected their voter base - politics has really changed over the decades, it doesn’t feel like it’s about the people anymore.”
Education Minister Jason Clare’s southwest Sydney electorate is in the sights of The Muslim Vote with a 32 per cent Muslim population.
“My community is hurting,” he said.
“We all want the killing to stop. We all want the suffering and the starvation to stop.”
Employee Relations Minister Tony Burke has 25 per cent Muslim population in Watson and said “this has been the toughest time I’ve ever seen my community go through ‘.
“We all want an end to the killing and the suffering in Gaza.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the conflict was causing “very real pain and suffering” in McMahon.
It’s understood the NSW council elections, to be held in September, will be used as a litmus test for the depth of anti-Labor sentiment across western Sydney.
If Labor-dominated councils across Western Sydney are hit by a big swing of voters ditching the party for independents, it’ll trigger alarm bells across Labor HQ.
Indigenous Affairs Minister and Barton MP Linda Burney said she had met with many of her Muslim constituents. “I have heard first hand their shock and pain about what’s happening in Gaza.”
Although Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton is also in the firing line, his western Sydney electorate will not be ground zero for the Muslim voter campaign after he lost Merrylands and Greystanes in electoral redistribution.
A Labor MP told The Telegraph the relationship between the party and Muslim voters was “potentially going to get worse” depending on the actions of rogue WA Senator Fatima Payman.
Several Labor members were furious that Ms Payman was openly advocating for Palestine beyond the party’s official position and embarrassing her colleagues and the Prime Minister.
Macarthur MP Dr Mike Freelander said his electorate was extremely diverse but in all his time as a local doctor and then a politician, he has never asked anyone for their religion.
“It’s a very difficult issue. I think Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong are doing a fantastic job,” he said.
“It is a democracy and I hope people will vote for me for what I do for the community. I think I’ve been very even handed.”
Lakemba local Sam Masri said he felt sorry for Ms Payman and that Labor’s decision to suspend the senator would lead him to “100 per cent” vote against the party.
“They should have respect for people with their own view,” he said.
“All she said was you have to recognise Palestine.”
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Originally published as Labor’s latest threat in Western Sydney revealed as Muslim voter campaign ramps up
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