David Swan to run for upper house at election

By Nicole Hasham
Updated November 6 2012 - 1:40am, first published March 7 2011 - 10:13am
Wollongong lawyer David Swan hopes to be part of an independent upper house force to stave off Coalition dominance. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI
Wollongong lawyer David Swan hopes to be part of an independent upper house force to stave off Coalition dominance. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

Well-known Wollongong lawyer David Swan has launched a bid for the NSW upper house at this month's state election.He will be number five on the 21-strong ticket led by anti-corruption campaigner and former South Coast independent MP John Hatton.Mr Swan said a strong independent presence in the upper house would restore its "watchdog" status and stave off Coalition dominance after Labor's predicted electoral wipeout."I don't want to simply hand over the upper house to the Liberals - the danger is we could see another 16 years of incompetent government," he said.Mr Swan said an independent upper house force would act as "insurance to the NSW public", adding "[I don't want] to see the upper house simply rubber-stamping legislation".The 57-year-old has five children and lives in Mangerton with his wife, Robyn.A solicitor for 21 years, he is a director of Access Law Group, a Rotary Club member and an honorary Salvation Army solicitor.Mr Swan said his political tilt was spurred by a burning dissatisfaction with the quality of the region's political representation at all levels, saying "we need to wipe the slate clean".He said elements of corruption in Wollongong council had led to its sacking by an incompetent Labor government."Add to that the resignation of three ministers for the Illawarra and you can only come to the conclusion that the Illawarra deserves better political governance."Mr Swan said each member of the Hatton team would vote independently of each other and would be answerable to voters, not party rules.Infrastructure was the key to a prosperous future for the Illawarra, he said, citing a faster rail system between Kiama and Sydney, the F6 extension, a Picton Rd dual carriageway and the Maldon-Dombarton rail line.Mr Swan is also advocating a reduction of hotel trading hours in the Wollongong CBD.Mr Hatton came out of retirement last year to lead an upper house team, and is also endorsing lower house candidates including Heathcote's Greg Petty.

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