James Falk to battle it out for Balmain seat

The Liberal Party has endorsed business consultant James Falk to contest the state seat of Balmain in the upcoming state election.

Mr Falk, 44, has lived in the Inner West for 25 years and will take on Leichhardt Mayor, Jamie Parker and sitting Labor member, Verity Firth in March.

Mr Falk said he is running for the seat because he wants to see change in the local community and broader NSW.

“I’m running for Balmain for two reasons: to be a real, practical voice for voters’ interests, and to contribute to the decent, competent and accountable government that NSW needs,” he said.

Mr Falk said one of the biggest issues in Glebe is protecting the local community amid current redevelopments in the area.

“The key issue for Glebe is protecting the character of the community: its residential character, its village feel, its vibrancy and its diversity,” he said.

He said by protecting Glebe’s character it will give residents and local businesses a voice again.

Mr Falk said the government had created a state where business isn’t welcome.

“This Labor government has created a state where business isn’t welcome- and ordinary citizens are paying the price with fewer jobs, less growth, less opportunity, and less government revenue to provide the services people need,” he said.

Mr Falk said Glebe shares the same problems as the rest of the state, including a failed public transport system, infrastructure, and the rising costs of power and water.

“State Government is about delivering the basics that support people’s lives, and this government has spent 16 years pretending to do something while the state is falling down around our ears,” he said.

Mr Falk said he opposes the closure of the Glebe Post Office, as it is an example of Labor’s failure to deliver services to people who use them.

“When I’ve talked to elderly or disabled locals, they have continually expressed dismay at how reductions and failures in government services leave them isolated and unable to live engaged lives,” he said.

“This is yet another example of Labor’s failure to deliver services to the people who need them, and now grandstanding about a back down to save face for Verity Firth.”

Mr Falk said the Liberals are committed to removing the arbitrary power of the Planning Minister by revoking Part 3A of the Environment and Assessment Act.

But Barry O’Farrell has not commented on what Part 3A would be replaced with, if elected.

Mr Falk said neither Labor nor the Greens were capable, or committed to fixing problems in NSW.

“Neither the Greens nor Labor have any real solutions or any real commitment to fixing NSW’s problems,” he said.

But Balmain is considered the strongest seat for the Greens in NSW.

The Greens currently hold six out of twelve seats on Leichhardt Council and have a strong presence in neighbouring Marrickville.

The Balmain seat covers the Leichhardt local government area, including Balmain, Leichhard, Lilyfield, Annandale, Rozelle, Haberfield and Glebe.

by Sophie Cousins