As a business person himself, Sam Kayal says he knows the difficulties family and small enterprises have faced in the past few years.
The endorsed Liberal Party candidate for the federal seat of Werriwa, Mr Kayal is a local accountant who has lived in the area for more than 20 years.
“As a small business owner and accountant, I know how tough the past couple of years have been,’’ he says.
“That’s why, if elected, I’ll work incredibly hard to support small and family businesses to create local jobs.
“We need a strong and experienced government to help lead our economic recovery, and deal with the uncertain global situation,” Mr Kayal said.
The Prime Minister hasn’t called the election yet, but it’s no secret that it has to be held by the third week in May.
When Mr Morrison does name the date, Mr Kayal, pictured above, left, will be seeking to do what no Liberal Party candidate has done since 1934.
The Labor Party has not only continuously held the seat since 1934, but some of its biggest stars have been the sitting member, including the biggest of them all, Gough Whitlam, Prime Minister between 1972 and 1975.
None of that will count for much on the day of the 2022 election, and Mr Kayal says he believes that the local community does not have a local member who can successfully champion Werriwa’s needs in Canberra.
That member is Anne Stanley, who won the seat in 2016, and was re-elected in 2019 with a margin of 5.47 percent (two candidate preferred); Liberal candidate Shayne Miller ending up with just under 45 percent of the vote after preferences.
“Our region is on the verge of a major boom, thanks to the Morrison Government’s investment in the Western Sydney Airport, bringing once-in-a-lifetime jobs and opportunities,” Mr Kayal said.
“Werriwa needs a member of parliament who can help us reach our potential, and deliver local infrastructure, small business support, a safer community and local job opportunities.
“Reducing the cost of living pressures on local families is going to be my number one priority, and ensuring that our community has better access to essential services,’’ he said.
Mr Kayal, who lives with his wife in Hinchinbrook, where they are raising their two teenage children, has helped to establish a GP clinic and an after-hours GP service in South Western Sydney.
As someone who believes in supporting a healthy and active community, he has also assisted in setting up a new sports club in Werriwa, and had previously coached a junior soccer team.
