MEET THE KINGSFORD SMITH CANDIDATES

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MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR KINGSFORD SMITH

Five candidates are competing to represent Kingsford Smith in the upcoming federal election. The seat is held by Labor’s Matt Thistlethwaite, who won almost 60% of the vote in the last election after secondary preferences. Here is some information on Matt and the other candidates. MATT THISTLETHWAITE, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Member for Kingsford Smith Matt Thistlethwaite has Labor blood running through his veins. Both his father Bruce and grandfather Ralph were union officials. And Matt has been a member of the Australian Labor Party since the age of 22. He went on to occupy high-ranking positions within the union movement while studying law and was elected to the Senate. He has been representing the set of Kingsford Smith since 2013.

Matt grew up in Maroubra and has been surfing there since the age of eight. He is also a SCUBA diver. “I feel fortunate to live on one of the most magical coastlines in the world,” he says. “We need stronger action on climate change and environmental policies so we can protect our pristine coastline for our kids.”

He sees the local community in Kingsford Smith as another precious resource. “We have a diverse mix of ages and different cultures, which enriches our local community,” he says. “Plus we have fantastic institutions and community groups.”

Matt has been a very active campaigner against the proposed cruise ship terminal at Yarra Bay and the Matraville incinerator plan. He has also campaigned against plans for offshore gas drilling which could threaten the eastern beaches and Botany Bay. “These are proposals that will do enormous environmental damage, not to mention the social harm they would inflict on the community.”

He also pledges to protect Medicare, stand up for better schools and a stronger TAFE and fight overdevelopment.

GRACE TAN, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Grace Tan is a real estate agent in Pyrmont but lives locally. She was shy about being interviewed, but here is some biographical information supplied by the Liberal Party: “Having immigrated from China 17 years ago, Grace lives locally in Kingsford Smith and is proud to call our area home.

“Grace has a track record of fighting for our community. Whether as part of a grass roots campaign against the Matraville incinerator or as a volunteer with Sydney Children’s Hospital and Starlight Foundation, Grace is known as someone who works for our community.

“Grace will fight to improve local roads and transport, and ensure our community has access to world class hospitals and healthcare. As part of the Morrison Liberal Team, Grace will deliver a strong economy and stronger future for Kingsford Smith.”

Here is Grace’s life philosophy, as set out on the website of the real estate company she works for: “I never think that something is too challenging, I just do it. This is partly due to the way I grew up. When I was a child in China, we didn’t have many things. If there was an issue, we just had to deal with it and get it done. I believe everything at work and in life has a solution.”

STUART DAVIS, GREENS

Musician and choir director Stuart Davis is running for the Greens on a platform of affordable housing and scrapping of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS).

“I’m advocating a sort of back to the future policy,” says Stuart, who lives in Coogee. “Let’s go back to when uni and TAFE were free. I’ve got two daughters who are now lumbered with massive HECS debts. They and their friends have this looming shadow hanging over them.”

HECS debts compound the housing affordability problems faced by our young people. “Housing costs in this area have gone crazy,” he says. “The Greens have a policy advocating the building of low-cost homes which will be ownership-shared, enabling people to remain living in the communities they grew up in.” Other policies include adding dental treatment to Medicare and raising government support payments above the poverty line. He wants to see humane treatment of refugees currently being held in detention. In addition, Stuart is a passionate environmentalist who urges responsible action on climate change – and the rejection of the Matraville incinerator plan. “I am deeply concerned about the proposed incinerator’s proximity to homes,”

His environmental concerns take in a global view. “I just can’t sit back any longer and watch this beautiful planet being sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed,” he says.

DARRIN MARR, ONE NATION

Darrin Marr is a real estate agent in Rosebud, on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne. Rosebud being a long way from Randwick (almost 800 kms away, in fact), it seemed appropriate to ask Darrin “What are you doing running for the seat of Kingsford Smith?”

However, Darrin did not want to answer that or any other questions when I phoned him at 11.20 on a Saturday morning. “I’ve only just had breakfast!” he complained. After I apologised for interrupting his digestion, he told me to submit a list of questions to head office in Brisbane. So I signed off from the testy Darrin and did what he suggested, emailing One Nation HQ in Brisbane with some questions, one of which was that query about the distance between Rosebud and the Sydney seat he is standing for. I never received a reply.

ANTHONY TAWAF, UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY

When I phoned UAP candidate Anthony Tawaf, he told me he was busy working on something and did not want to be distracted from it. I would have to send him an email. Mindful that I could be heading down the same fruitless path I had found myself on with the One Nation candidate, I managed to squeeze in a couple of questions.

Where does he live? “Rosebery,” he said. What is his professional background? “I’m qualified in marketing and administration,” he replied.

And that is all the information we can share with you about Anthony Tawaf, because he never replied to my emails. When I followed up with him by phone, it seems that he hung up on me. Or perhaps it was just a faulty connection.