We are only a few days away from the New South Wales state election.
One seat that is of particular relevance to our community is the seat of Drummoyne.
The electorate must choose between four candidates: Stephanie Di Pasqua (Liberal), Patrick Conaghan (Sustainable Australia Party), Charles Jago (The Greens), and Julia Little (Labor).
Outgoing MP John Sidoti has represented this seat since 2011, initially as a member of Liberal Party and then as an independent after corruption findings.
First elected locally to Canada Bay’s council in 2017, Little served as deputy mayor until 2022.
She holds a degree in Media and Communications and for several years worked in the Commonwealth public sector.
She says she her participation in a high-profile seat is during an important moment in NSW politics.
"I believe that the people of Drummoyne want a change, a new beginning," the Labor candidate said during an exclusive interview with La Fiamma.
She outlined the main points of her campaign and explained that after 12 years of a coalition government, it is time for a new approach.
Little grew up in Drummoyne, still lives here with her family and wants to ensure that the future of her children and the community is full of hope and opportunity.
"I have heard from many residents that they feel ignored by the Perrottet government,” said Little.
“The community wants an open, transparent and fair decision-making process with a government that works in the best interest of the people."
At the top of Little's priorities is stopping the privatisation of public assets initiated by the Liberals.
"They have divested more than $90 billion of public assets in 12 years, yet we are still over $120 billion in debt," she stressed.
"We are committed to never divesting Sydney Water.”
Should Labor win at the polls, they intend to transform 10,000 teachers' contracts from temporary to permanent and create suitable staffing levels in hospitals.
"Labor will remove the wage cap for essential workers so they can negotiate fair pay,” said Little.
“[As well as] fully fund the restructuring of Concord High School and every public school.”
“[And] reinvest in TAFE to help rebuild manufacturing in New South Wales."
For Little, the Labor Party's commitment to improve all aspects of the local area is very clear.
"We will look at all the failures of our bus and ferry privatisations and improve local services."
The Labor Party's ‘Fresh Start Plan’, according to Little, will have a positive state-wide impact with its goal of addressing the urgent cost of living pressures residents face.
It also aims to provide better healthcare (including mental health), education and roads, as well as remove or reduce the stamp duty for first-time homebuyers by 95 per cent.