Two new female candidates will run for Labor in the upcoming NSW state election, with Parramatta's mayor aiming to generate a mammoth swing towards the party.
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Opposition Leader Chris Minns announced the candidacies of Lord Mayor Donna Davis, for Parramatta, and local teacher Lyndal Howison for the seat of Ryde on Wednesday.
Mr Minns also revealed his party's commitment to build a new high school in Melrose Park near West Ryde should it win the March 25 election, at an anticipated cost of $54 million.
The western Sydney seat of Parramatta is held by the Liberal Party on a 10 per cent margin, but could come into play with the incumbent Geoff Lee retiring from politics.
Ms Davis was elected to her role at the start of 2022 and has lived and worked in Parramatta for several decades.
"I love the community of Parramatta, but after 12 years of Liberal neglect, I believe it is time for change," she said.
Ms Howison's candidacy in neighbouring Ryde follows the withdrawal of Dr Francisco Valencia due to a personal issue.
The Ryde local previously worked as a medical research manager and in finance before retraining to become a teacher.
She stood for Labor in the 2016 federal election for the seat of Bennelong, which encompasses Ryde, and would have done again in 2019 before stepping aside for neurosurgeon Dr Brian Owler at the last minute.
Ms Howison said she became a teacher because she believes in the power of public education.
"It's time for change in Ryde. NSW Labor have a plan, for health, for education, for our community," she said.
"I will not be taking a single vote for granted in this election, but I believe that our community deserves better and that only a Minns Labor government can deliver that."
Mr Minns took a swing at the Liberal pre-selection process that so far passed up several women as candidates in favour of men.
"I don't think we should be having a celebration because we're running fantastic female candidates for state seats at the upcoming election," he said.
"It should be the natural thing to do for a modern political party that's hoping to contest the election in 2023."
The Labor leader also addressed rampant population growth in the western suburbs which he said was not being met with sufficient infrastructure upgrades, including access to education.
Parramatta's population is expected to increase by 127,000 over the next 15 years as well as an additional 110,000 people in Blacktown and a further 110,000 in the Hills, according to Mr Minns.
The current government also revealed plans to build a new high school in Melrose Park in 2019, but has yet to progress to the development stage.
"If it hasn't been built in the past 12 years, even for fast growing communities like this one, what gives anyone the confidence that if you re-elect this government ... they'll actually build this high school," Mr Minns said.
As with Parramatta, Ryde is a safe Liberal seat but could come into play due to the retirement of the sitting member.
Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello won Ryde 59-41 over Labor in the 2019 election.
Australian Associated Press
