Independent MP Dai Le and Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone have set up their own political party in a bid to challenge the major parties in federal seats across western Sydney.
The duo have registered the Dai Le and Frank Carbone Network with the Australian Electoral Commission in an effort to replicate Le’s spectacular success in defeating Labor frontbencher Kristina Keneally in last year’s federal election.
Le, who was then serving as Fairfield’s deputy mayor, defeated Keneally in the south-western Sydney electorate of Fowler despite Labor holding the seat on a margin of 17 per cent, making it one of the party’s safest seats in the country.
Many Fowler locals rankled at Keneally being “parachuted” into the area from the Northern Beaches and voted for Le in protest, defying swings towards Labor elsewhere in the country.
“We want to use our voices to champion the community,” Le said of the new party.
“It’s about carving out that area.”
Le said the party would be centred on western and south-western Sydney and would be focused on federal politics.
Labor holds most seats in south-western Sydney, including the federal seat of McMahon that adjoins Fowler and is held by Labor cabinet member Chris Bowen.
“I don’t think Chris Bowen should be concerned,” Le insisted.
The nearby seat of Werriwa, once held by former prime minister Gough Whitlam and Labor leader Mark Latham, is held by Labor MP Anne Stanley.
Le said the party would focus on issues such as cost-of-living, health care and public transport infrastructure.
Carbone was former Labor member while Le was previously aligned with the Liberal Party.
Le has previously contrasted her success with that of the “teal” MPs who won seats from the Liberal Party in wealthy inner-city seats where climate change was a major concern.
Jacqui Lambie had success by forming her own political network and adding a second senator, Tammy Tyrrell, in last year’s election.
Former South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon’s self-named political party initially had success in winning several Senate seats and a House of Representatives seat but later rebranded as the Centre Alliance and quickly disintegrated.
Source : Sydney Morning Herald
