Image: MP for Heffron and Labor candidate Ron Hoenig (centre). Photo: Facebook/Ron Hoenig.
By ABHA HAVAL
Seven candidates backed by major and minor parties will be contesting the Labor stronghold of Heffron in the NSW election on March 25.
The electorate covers a diverse aggregation of suburbs from inner Sydney, to the north and north-east of Sydney Airport.
It bestrides four local governments by taking in Waterloo, Beaconsfield, Zetland, Green square and most parts of Alexandria from the Sydney City Council, St Peters, Sydenham, and Tempe from Inner West Council, Kingsford and parts of Kensington from Randwick Council, and Mascot and Eastlakes from Bayside Council.
Gaining 1,000 extra voters from Redfern in Newtown, the Labor margin held by the electorate has been projected to have increased from 15.1% to 15.3%.
The Heffron electorate has thrived in first preference votes for Labor for the previous decades, with Liberals at second preference followed by Green in the recent years. Since its beginnings in 1973, Heffron has been one of Labor’s safest seats.
Rachel Evans (Socialist Alliance)
Candidate for the Socialist Alliance Rachel Evans is a journalist with Left Green, and was one of the founders of grassroots equality campaign in Sydney. She is a public housing activist and a disability support worker.
Evans helped set up the Water for Rivers group and succeeded to bring water rights for First Nation communities for regional NSW to the city.
Evans is campaigning to ease the cost of living in Sydney and is proposing an emergency plan to provide 100,000 public housing dwelling for the community over the next 5 years.
She supports equality including free gender affirming healthcare and the LGBTQ community and trans rights campaigns in NSW.
Linda Paull (Animal Justice Party)
Linda Paull, candidate for Animal Justice Party is determined to raise awareness on improving the current treatment of animals, and of our environment. Paull is campaigning to change the laws on rentals in NSW, giving renters with pets more freedom and rights.
She believes that allowing pets in rental properties can resolve the rising issues of homelessness and make house hunting easier for renters with pets.
Paull joined the party in 2018, and is currently the National Board’s Director. She has been working with several animal rights campaigns including the campaign to end greyhound racing in ACT.
Francis Devine (Liberal)
Devine is currently studying law part-time at UNSW and is working full-time at a law firm. Since being admitted as a lawyer, he has been advocating for several clients in courtrooms.
Liberal candidate Francis Devine told City Hub that “Being a student I understands the effect of rising costs of living experienced by many in the community”.
“If elected, I will transfer this advocacy and experience as an effective voice representing the community interests as your local member for Heffron,” he said.
Devine grew up in the south-eastern suburbs of Sydney. He graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours).
Philipa Veitch (The Greens)
Greens candidate Philipa Veitch is a local Councillor for Randwick’s West Ward, a visual artist, mum and a qualified teacher.
She is committed to being a strong advocate for the community and standing up for the rights of local residents, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, fighting for affordable housing and establishing bold initiatives for climate change.
Veitch said, “The main focus of the campaign is to achieve affordable housing, rental rights, providing access to proper education facilities in schools who are underfunded, and providing accessible homes for people with disabilities. We have been looking into climate proofing homes, and providing renewable energy for housing as well”.
As a Councillor, Veitch has been campaigning for women across Sydney and advocating for women and children affected by domestic and family violence.
“As a woman running for the community, I intend to achieve equal rights for women”, she said.
Veitch has been working for over 5 years with the local Government, setting up comprehensive policies, and has been on the community campaign focusing on climate change and environment.
Ron Hoenig (Labor)
Ron Hoenig entered the Parliament by-election in August 2012. Being a former Mayor to the City of Botany for 30 years, he is still regarded as one of the most progressive Mayors in Sydney.
He was admitted as a solicitor on 1981, and was a member of the Bar in 1987. Hoenig is a barrister and a former public defender for the State of New South Wales.
He was a Shadow Minister for Energy, Ports, Heritage, and Emergency Services since commencing in the State Parliament. During his time as the mayor, he campaigned for various issues including heritage protection.
Born and raised in Camperdown, he attended local schools in Eastlakes, and is married with two children.
Sarina Kilham (Independent)
Independent candidate Dr Sarina Kilham is a university lecturer specialising in urban food policies. She was the youngest member deployed to the United Nations mission where she worked as an interpreter and as a Regional Development Officer later. She has over 20 years’ experience working with UN peace keeping missions, universities, government, and global organisations.
She is currently a non-executive Board Member for major Australian organisations that work alongside farmers and food producers to access new markets and produce sustainable produce.
Kilham is an established leader in food security and agro-food policy in international development aid programs along with being a high-level policy advisor for Australian and foreign governments as well.
Kilham’s top three commitments include climate, community, and integrity. Locally, Kilham has advocated for increased road safety and increasing active transport for school children.
Ann Godfrey (Sustainable Australia Party)
