There are 25 candidates vying for your vote in the five Illawarra electorates this state election.
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Before you head to the polling booth and grab your sausage sandwich on Saturday, get to know the Wollongong candidates.
Andrew Anthony, Sustainable Australia Party
Mr Anthony is 41, lives in Figtree and is an information communications technology consultant.
I grew up in Wollongong and developed a great love of our natural environment.
I was elected to Wollongong City Council in 2004 and I was an avid supporter of council's Bushcare and Environmental Sustainability projects. I helped expose the cosy relationships that had formed between developers, councillors and planning staff which eventually lead to the ICAC inquiry. I enjoy bushwalking, cycling, photography, electronics, classical music, watching TV Sci-Fi and spending time with my wife and 2-year-old son.
Sustainable Australia is a party from the sensible centre of politics. We seek sensible planning policies that see the timely delivery of infrastructure in new housing estates and safeguard against overdevelopment, especially along our foreshores and in the foothills of the Illawarra escarpment.
We want to reinvest in education and skills training in the region and create jobs by diversifying the Wollongong economy. I want to tackle climate change by supporting the uptake of renewable energy and teaching people about sustainable living to ensure future generations will be able to appreciate the world in the same way we do.
Top three priorities:
- Improvements to our public transport system including lifts at Unanderra station.
- Support Wollongong and Shellharbour councils in the management of Lake Illawarra.
- Build a waste recycling centre in Wollongong for our bottles and cans rather than sending our waste overseas.
Benjamin Arcioni, Greens
Mr Arcioni, 36, lives in Lake Heights and is a University of Wollongong tutor and PhD student.
I was born and raised in the Illawarra, as the third child of two Italian Australian parents who taught at local Catholic schools. In the past, I have worked in a number of fields: finance administration, credit control, hospitality, commercial real estate, mental health education, and humanitarian services on Nauru at the detention centre with the Salvation Army. I am currently Vice President of the UOW Young Greens.
I care about building a better future for all of us. We have the technology to move to renewable energy sources now, and there is a great future for solar, wind and water power here in the Illawarra. Financial support from state and federal governments will ensure that the transition away from coal does not harm those now working in the industry.
Getting rid of disposable plastics, such as coffee lids, straws, and plastic plates, will improve our lives and keep Wollongong beautiful, including our beaches, Lake Illawarra, and the escarpment.
Education is vital to our region, and the University of Wollongong is one of our biggest employers. We need a skilled and educated workforce. The Greens would revive and develop TAFE in the Illawarra and provide free tertiary education for all. We fully support primary and secondary education -- the time has come to give free access to tertiary education.
Top three priorities:
- Eliminate single use plastics
- Convert to 100% renewable energy
- Free University and TAFE education
Nikola Nastoski, Independent
Mr Nastoski, 26, lives in Port Kembla and is a postgraduate student
I went to Warrawong Public School, then Warrawong High School before graduating with a degree in IT from the University of Wollongong. I spent the past two and a half years working in a graduate position for Google, and I am now undertaking a postgraduate degree at the University of Wollongong with the ambitions of completing a PhD afterwards.
Complacent is a word that should never be used to describe any form of government. Unfortunately it explains our current parties position perfectly. I want to be a catalyst for change.
The residents of the greater Wollongong region are no longer content with cookie-cutter policies trickling down to us from the current party in power. We constantly hear excuses on why projects haven't been funded due to the "opposition" being in power.
I will put Wollongong first and actually fight for the funding we deserve, regardless of which party is in power. Let's make a change.
Top three priorities:
- Putting Wollongong first
- Rail infrastructure and amenities
- TAFE funding
Paul Scully, Labor
Mr Scully, 44, lives in Figtree and is the member for Wollongong.
I have been the member for Wollongong since November 2016. I am third generation local and was born at Wollongong Hospital. I have degrees in economics and management and have worked in a range of careers, including as the Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials at the University of Wollongong's Innovation Campus. Prior to this I was a ministerial chief of staff in the federal government and an adviser to a state government minister.
I have successfully fought to keep the Gong Shuttle free, for more carriages on overcrowded train services and supported local community and sporting organisations achieve much-needed funding.
I and NSW Labor have a comprehensive plan to secure existing and help create new jobs, upgrade road and rail infrastructure, protect our environment and improve essential public services.
Our fully-costed $225 million Illawarra Jobs Action Plan makes sure we tackle our most pressing problems: finally building Unanderra Station lifts, progressing completion of the Maldon-Dombarton rail link, upgrading Wollongong Entertainment Centre; upgrade Appin Road; using more local steel and relocating up to 200 jobs from Liquor and Gaming NSW to Wollongong from Sydney.
Top three priorities:
- Finally build the Unanderra Station lifts
- Deliver the $225 million Illawarra Jobs Action Plan
- Invest in better health care at Wollongong Hospital
Zachary Fitzpatrick, Liberal
Mr Fitzpatrick, 28, lives in Wollongong and is a communications officer.
I have always believed in giving back to my community, and have been actively involved with Rotary and Rotaract community groups. If elected I plan on using this passion to fight to ensure local communities get their fair share of the NSW Liberals' strong economy.
If elected, I will fight to upgrade local roads and public transport, improve health facilities and clear the maintenance backlog in our local schools so Wollongong families can rest assured their children are receiving a world-class education in world-class schools.
James Hehir, Keep Sydney Open
Mr Hehir, 42, lives in Bulli and is a self-employed metal fabricator.
After growing up in the western suburbs of Sydney, I now enjoy the coastal life in Bulli. I have three children and I've been a small business owner for the past 17 years specialising in race car fabrication.
I feel passionate about Keep Sydney Open because I want young people to enjoy opportunities and experiences that open, safe and fair cities offer. I believe overregulation of industries and night life have stifled people's opportunity and creativity, they have stifled our community and have had a massive economic cost. I want to see an end to the nanny state.
People should be encouraged to be responsible for their own actions rather than knee-jerk blanket legislation being pushed through eroding existing civil liberties such as over-policing at festivals or music events, liquor licencing, local over-development, etc. I will pursue transparency in local and state government around political lobby groups and donations.
Top three priorities
- Clean up NSW's Politics: Corruption, Lobbying and Donations Reform.
- Decongest our roads with an emphasis on public transport and intelligent community-centred town planning.
- Tear up the Nanny State and restore civil liberties
Benjamin Bank from the Animal Justice Party did not respond.