Wollongong businessman Chris Atlee has done his fair share of political party swapping but now he has declared himself a "Liberal for life".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Atlee has been named the Liberal Party candidate for Keira and will try an topple sitting Labor MP Ryan Park come the March 23 state election.
The Wollongong Comic Cafe owner had only been a Liberal Party member for one day before announcing his candidacy.
Mr Atlee unsuccessful ran as a Christian Democratic Party candidate for the state seat of Heathcote in 2011 and then in the federal Cunningham seat for the Palmer United Party in 2013.
He said this was his "first real crack" at becoming a state member.
Mr Atlee, who stepped down as Corrimal Chamber of Commerce president on Wednesday, said he was someone who had "actively volunteered and worked in the community".
"I am passionate and run a couple of small businesses," he said. "I interact with locals, know their concerns, their needs and share the same frustrations as they do. I will work harder than anyone.
"Even though I am a new candidate, I'm not new to working for the region."
Mr Atlee said his top priority was funding the next stages of the F6 extension. He laughed at the Labor Party's rail plan.
"Extra train carriages for current services combined with the F6 extension is going to be more than the Labor Party is even looking at delivering," he said. "And it is realistic.
"We live in the greatest part of the greatest area in the world and it just frustrates me that we can't seem to get the commitments for infrastructure from our local member."
Parliamentary secretary for Illawarra Gareth Ward said Chris Atlee would have a "strong voice" and "wants to get things done for Keira".
"It is time for the region to have serious members in the seats who won't only just fight for things but they will get them done," Mr Ward said.
"Chris Atlee is an example of someone who lives his values and gets things done every day in business.
"Ryan Park wants to be the state's treasurer, the head of all of the economic activity in NSW but the Liberal candidate has actually run businesses."
Mr Atlee said he would not be swapping parties again and was only focused on becoming the state member for Keira rather than securing a federal or council seat.
"I have always been a conservative and a Liberal supporter," he said. "The Liberal Party's values have always been in line with my values.
"I have always been a member of centre-right parties," he said.
"The reason I ran for Palmer United in 2013 is similar to the reasons I am running now. I was frustrated that there was seeming inaction with the local Labor members.
"My belief was, if we could make the seat a little more marginal that we could get more attention. I never seriously considered with those minor parties that I would be elected to Parliament.
"This is my first real crack at politics."
Mr Atlee has also sat on the Illawarra Regional Advisory Council for the Illawarra Business Chamber.