Parramatta candidate Andrew Charlton pledges aged care funding for Mitchell electorate

Labor’s parachute candidate for Parramatta “doesn’t know where the electorate starts and ends”, announcing funding for an aged care provider in the next electorate over.

Geographically challenged Labor candidate Andrew Charlton has been accused of not knowing what electorate he wants to represent after announcing $6 million in funding for an aged care facility a 35 minute drive outside the borders of the seat of Parramatta which he contesting at Saturday’s election.

On Monday Mr Charlton issued a release promising the funds for aged care provider Sri Om Care, which provides culturally appropriate services targeting the large South Asian community in Western Sydney.

Observers quickly noted that Sri Om Care is based in Rouse Hill in the neighbouring electorate of Mitchell and that the operator is looking to use it for an “assisted living” facility in Box Hill.

“This ‘assisted living’ model is soon to be tested in Sri Om Care’s new facility in Box Hill and will be expanded to meet the needs of South Asian communities across Sydney,” the release said.

“This announcement will be a great benefit to our community in Parramatta”, it went on to quote Mr Charlton as saying.

Labor candidate for Parramatta Andrew Charlton out campaigning, talking to locals in Harris Park. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke represents Mitchell, and says Mr Charlton is out of touch. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke, who also represents the seat of Mitchell, said that Mr Charlton had once again proved he was not in touch with western Sydney.”

“In recent days, we have seen that Andrew Charlton doesn’t know where he lives and couldn’t name three restaurants in Parramatta,” Mr Hawke said.

“We now learn he doesn’t know where the electorate he wants to represent starts and ends.

“Box Hill is a wonderful suburb in my electorate of Mitchell that I am proud to represent – unfortunately for Mr Charlton it is a suburb 35 minutes and 25km from the Parramatta CBD.

“It’s an easy mistake to make if you aren’t a Western Sydney local. He should stick to making announcements in the electorate he hopes to represent and that isn’t Mitchell.”

Originally published as Parramatta candidate Andrew Charlton pledges aged care funding for Mitchell electorate