Liberal candidate for Parramatta Maria Kovacic draws on migrant experiences

The Liberal hopeful in the seat of Parramatta would rely on her experiences as the daughter of migrants, local knowledge and business roles to advocate for the electorate.

Liberal hopeful Maria Kovacic has revealed her understanding of “the journey of a new migrant community” after a childhood in which she first went to school ­unable to speak English.

Ms Kovacic will also be relying on her previous role as a founder of Western Sydney Women, as well as her own business experience, in her battle against Labor candidate and former Rudd adviser Andrew Charlton for the seat of Parramatta, deep in the ALP heartland.

Speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph, Ms Kovacic recounted her own experience growing up in Australia as the daughter of migrants.

“I went to school not being able to speak English,” she said.

“I didn’t have anybody to connect me to networks and show me pathways to get ahead.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta Maria Kovacic. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I understand very much the journey of a new migrant community,” she said.

While avoiding any direct criticism of Mr Charlton, who is Labor’s candidate installed by party head office, Ms Kovacic said she could understand the “lived experience” of the community because of the time she spent there.

Ms Kovacic, who was one of the candidates whose endorsement by a Liberal executive committee was not struck out in court on Tuesday, said her background and time in the Parramatta community gave her an “authentic” ability to advocate for the electorate.

“When you’re actively engaged in a community, when you’re actually walking the same path as people in the community, you’re able to understand in a different way what the lived experiences and needs of your community are.”

Ms Kovacic lives in the Hills district, just outside the Parramatta boundary. She has vowed to move into the electorate if she wins.

“If I’m elected … you will see a for sale sign out the front of our house and my husband and I will be moving into the electorate.”

Mr Charlton has already bought a house in the ­electorate.

He has previously said that he will be moving from Bellevue Hill into Parramatta before the election

Parramatta local and Bacio Espresso Cafe businesswoman Maria Koumpridis said she wasn’t fussed on where either candidate came from so long as they had good ideas and intentions for the community.

“It doesn’t matter what money they have and where they’re from,” she said.

“It’s about whoever’s got good ideas.”

However Ms Koumpridis’ daughter Eva was concerned that someone from Sydney’s eastern suburbs would not acutely know the issues facing western Sydneysiders.

Originally published as Liberal candidate for Parramatta Maria Kovacic draws on migrant experiences