If Michael Andjelkovic has proven one thing is that you don’t have to be an elected politician to bring about change.
His campaign for commuter car parking at Edmondson Park and Leppington has been largely responsible for the fact that it is now raining promises for action.
Indeed NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham paid tribute to the work of Mr Andjelkovic while announcing his party’s promise to build more car parking than anyone else.
Mr Andjelkovic, pictured above, acknowledges that other voices expressed concern about this issue, including local Labor MP Anoulack Chanthivong.
But there’s no doubt Mr Andjelkovic’s energetic campaign over the past few months, which included a petition signed by thousands, has created greater awareness that this is a real issue hurting local people and it needs to be fixed.
However Mr Andjelkovic is not resting on his laurels.
Having announced that he will stand as an independent candidate at the March 23 state election in the seat of Liverpool, he is now turning all of his attention to Leppington station.
This Saturday (February 23) he will be holding a rally there between 10am and 11.30am.
“It’s an idea I’ve been toying with the last couple of months,’’ says Mr Andjelkovic.
“My stated objective from the very beginning of the petition was to get both major parties to commit to building multi level carparks at both stations.
“After the promise for a car park at Edmondson Park I don’t want the people of Leppington to be left behind.
“With Leppington we need to get the voices heard and I thought a rally is a good way, 30 days out from the election,’’ he said.
“I’ve invited transport minister Andrew Constance, Labor’s spokesperson Jodi Mckay, Mark Latham, and hopefully we can get the people there and make some noice.’’
As for running as an independent, Mr Andjelkovic concedes he faces long odds to win.
“After much contemplation and soul searching I decided to throw my hat in the ring, mainly because the last 11 months that I’ve been involved in the car park petition people have been saying they’re fed up with the way the major parties are performing, and that they really don’t have the confidence in them anymore,’’ he says.
“So I want to run to give people the option, so they can send a message to both major parties, that they’re not happy with them.
“How confident am I of winning? It’s a long shot. But I want to get in and give it a go.’’
Michael Andjelkovic has lived all of his 57 years in outer South West Sydney and what he’d like to see is a little bit of forward planning to ensure the provision of the infrastructure needed to sustain the great population boom that’s taking place.
“I love the south west, have lived here all my life, brought up my kids here and will be staying here,’’ he says.
“Talking to people as part of the petition, the lack of infrastructure is obviously an issue, public transport, in regards to trains, timetables, they’re all major concerns.
“The south west is growing, it’s changing, there’s a different life style, the airport’s coming, that will bring a more inner city feel, provide employment, therefore we won’t have to travel as far for jobs.
“But right now we need more train services and air conditioned train carriages,’’ he says.
Michael Andjelkovic has a clear message to local people who will vote on Saturday, March 23 and may consider supporting an independent candidate like himself:
“If you’re fed up with the major parties, if you want change, vote for a change. I know it’s a long shot to get elected but at least you can send a message.’’
