Meet Matt Camenzuli, the independent who thinks he can take down controversial Labor minister Chris Bowen

An independent candidate is surging in support and thinks he can defeat Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, one of the most polarising figures in federal politics.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is in the first serious battle for his western Sydney seat in the 21 years he has represented the Labor Party in federal parliament, as a former Liberal turned independent storms into contention.

Betting markets for McMahon, which runs from Fairfield to St Clair, had Matt Camenzuli at $15 about five weeks ago; he’s now paying $3.90.

Some voter surveys have put the small-business owner in front of the senior Labor cabinet member.

Mr Bowen has held McMahon since its creation in 2010. He was first elected to the now-defunct seat of Prospect in 2004. He has never faced a close contest. Until now.

Matt Camenzuli is standing for Chris Bowen’s seat of McMahon. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

At a pre-polling booth in Blacktown, Mr Camenzuli told this masthead that voters feel they have not been heard by Labor or their local MP.

The minister’s position on the Voice was an example, Mr Camenzuli said. Mr Bowen voted yes but two-thirds of his electorate voted no.

“Chris Bowen is on the other side of the values that McMahon carries,” Mr Camenzuli said.

“Everybody knows that their power bills are higher because of him.”

He said many people in some areas of the electorate have been reduced to eating little other than “depression (era) food” such as potatoes.

McMahon independent candidate Matt Camenzuli at pre-polling with voter Julie Davies. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

At the pre-polling booth, voter Julie Davies, who typically backed Labor, said she would be supporting Mr Camenzuli this time.

“He makes a lot of sense,” Ms Davies said.

Dorian Von Freyhold of Compass Polling, which has surveyed the electorate and found Mr Camenzuli to be in front, said he was struck by the sense of “abandonment and hatred of Chris Bowen”.

Mr Von Freyhold said the cost of living was the biggest issue now and that Anthony Albanese was also unpopular.

Ms Davies noted the Prime Minister had grown up in public housing. She currently lives in public housing.

“He talks about it but he doesn’t do anything about” making it better, she said.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has become one of the most polarising politicians in Australia. Picture: Jane Dempster

Mr Bowen dismissed the polling by Compass as “bogus” and asserted Mr Camenzuli had paid for it to be conducted – although Mr Von Freyhold said that wasn’t the case.

“I’m proud of what we have been able to achieve for our local community including three urgent care clinics, a big investment for Fairfield Hospital and a Blacktown Mental Health Clinic,” Mr Bowen said.

He then turned his focus on his challenger.

“Mr Camenzuli pretends to be a local when he lives a long way away,“ Mr Bowen said. ”He pretends to be an independent but he’s being supported by One Nation figures. He’s a huge fan of borrowing American ideas for Australian politics.”

Mr Camenzuli grew up in Greystanes, which is in the electorate. He started a software business from that home. About 12 years ago bought a home in Oatlands, which is in the neighbouring electorate of Parramatta. His business is now also located in Parramatta.

“Mr Bowen is making out like I’m in another country,” Mr Camenzuli said.

Mr Camenzuli wants to completely abolish fuel excise, which adds 50c a litre to the price of petrol, raising about $15bn a year.

Mr Camenzuli said that revenue loss could be offset by having a more efficient public sector “back office” and getting better value from other government spending.

The Liberal Party is directing its McMahon preferences to Mr Camenzuli, who was on its state executive before being stripped of membership over an unsuccessful court stoush with former prime minister Scott Morrison in 2022.

Mr Camenzuli said he was confident of being in the final two-candidate preferred contest with Mr Bowen.

“I do believe we have a shot,” Mr Camenzuli said.

Originally published as Meet Matt Camenzuli, the independent who thinks he can take down controversial Labor minister Chris Bowen