Paddy Moylan will take a tilt as independent candidate for Whitlam

Whitlam has a fourth challenger for the upcoming election in independent Paddy Moylan.

A resident of the electorate for the past 20 years, Paddy said he wanted to challenge the historic safety of the seat.

Labor’s Stephen Jones has held the seat of Whitlam (previously Throsby) since 2010, when Jennie George, who had held the seat since 2001, passed the baton to him.

Before Jennie, the then-seat of Throsby was held by Labor’s Colin Hollis from its inception in 1984.

Paddy believes the electorate has been overlooked because of that security.

“We haven’t had things done that other areas have because we’ve been a safe Labor seat,” he said.

“We’ve had no significant investment in roads and highways, when it comes to sporting and cultural facilities we’re about the only area of NSW that doesn’t have a level of indoor cricket facilities and the carnival facilities that bring tourism and money with them.

“The local councils are crying out for grants – Wingecaribee in the most recent council meeting have grant applications in for millions and aren’t getting them.”

Both causes are close to Paddy’s heart.

He is chairperson for one of the eight Country Cricket NSW zones and is a former delegate to the Illawarra zone.

His wife, Sarah Moylan, was elected to Wingecarribee Council when it was reformed after being in administration.

With three kids at home, Paddy said he expected the federal election campaign to be a busy time for the family.

“Luckily they’re at an age where the oldest can keep an eye on the youngest at home for a couple of hours,” he said.

“But at one point during the council campaign they did say, ‘Can we please have no more McDonalds?’.

“It’s busy, but I like being busy and Sarah loves what she’s doing.”

Paddy trained as a lawyer and was most recently the director of Rover Minerals, a Canadian-based exploration company in precious metals and critical minerals, such as lithium.

He said he wouldn’t campaign on a single issue, and his top campaign priorities were addressing the cost of living, housing and energy.

“I have the skills to contribute and make a difference, that’s why I thought I’d get involved,” he said.

“I’m not a climate denier and I believe we absolutely will transition to renewables, but the tech we will rely on doesn’t exist yet.

“That’s why I’m opposed to offshore wind off the Illawarra.

“When it comes to housing we need to have a conversation about what our stock might look like going forward so we have more affordable housing for young people coming through and older people who want to downsize.

“We don’t need to push high-rises, but these new developments are full of four- and five-bedroom houses when they should have a mix with smaller-scale terraces and things people want.

“They’re often tacked onto the side of towns without services and they have no walkability so people have to drive.”

Paddy said as an independent he would be dedicated to Whitlam.

“I’m running to be Member for Whitlam full stop,” he said.

“I’m not a major party candidate who wants to rise through the ranks and be a minister; I want to represent my community and advocate for them.

“If Labor puts something that’s sensible I’ll vote for it, and if the Liberals put something sensible I’ll do the same.”