Battle for the seat of Parramatta

Labor is battling to hang on to the seat of Parramatta, with millionaire Andrew Charlton facing a tough contest against Maria Kovacic.

Parramatta is one of the most sought-after seats this election, with the marginal electorate seen as ‘up for grabs’ after the retirement of Labor MP Julie Owens.

Both the Labor and Liberal parties have nominated candidates who weren’t previously living in the electorate.

Former economic adviser to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Andrew Charlton will be casting his vote in the electorate of Wentworth on Saturday, while his Liberal rival small business owner Maria Kovacic will be voting in Berowra.

The living arrangements for the candidates have been controversial, particularly after millionaire Mr Charlton was unable to name three restaurants in Parramatta — often touted as Sydney’s second CBD.

However, Mr Charlton has moved into the electorate and told The Daily Telegraph his family would ­“absolutely” join him in a house he has purchased in North Parramatta.

Labor has held the seat for 20 years but it is a marginal electorate held with a buffer of 3.5 per cent. Mr Charlton is facing an uphill battle against Ms Kovacic, who is a “captain’s pick” from Scott Morrison.

After being selected as the Liberal candidate, Ms Kovacic deleted her Twitter account including posts dismissing complaints from rugby player Israel Folau, a devout Christian, after he was unfairly sacked in 2019 for suggesting “hell awaits” gay people.

“It appears there’s some confusion between freedom of speech and freedom of consequences,’’ she wrote.

Labor candidate for Parramatta Andrew Charlton campaigning in Harris Park. Picture: Britta Campion/The Australian

While Ms Kovacic will be voting in Berowra, the PM has referred to her as “the real eel”, as she has been a fan of the Parramatta Eels since she was about 10 years old.

“She runs businesses in Western Sydney. She’s raised her family in Western Sydney. She’s Western Sydney, through and through,” the PM said of Ms Kovacic.

Unlike other candidates, Ms Kovacic hasn’t been afraid to be pictured with Mr Morrison, who made Parramatta one of the first stops on his campaign trail.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with the Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Maria Kovacic. Picture: Jason Edwards

Meanwhile Mr Charlton has spruiked his belief in Parramatta serving as a “jobs hub” and home for advanced industries like manufacturing, technology and health-tech.

Both parties are promising goodies for the local area, with Labor committing to a $6.2 million upgrade of the Richie Benaud Oval, while the Liberals say they will upgrade facilities at the home of the Rydalmere Lions, expand a community kitchen in Clyde and invest in upgrades at the Lake Parramatta swimming area.