Whitlam: Meet your candidates

The seat of Whitlam, formerly known as Throsby, has been held by the Labor Party since it was created more than 40 years ago.

The retiring Labor member, Stephen Jones, has held the seat since 2010. Well-known community leader Carol Berry is the endorsed Labor candidate in the safe seat.

Nine other candidates are standing in Whitlam, which stretches from the Illawarra’s coast to the Southern Highlands.

The seat was named in honour of former prime minister Gough Whitlam, who died in 2014.

Region Illawarra invited all candidates to submit their details for the following profiles. Candidates who did not respond were Ben Britton (independent), Angelo Cuda (Trumpet of Patriots), Cheryl Hinton (Australian Citizens Party), Paddy Moylan (independent) and Glenn Butterfield (independent). Information on these candidates has been sourced from their websites or social media.

Candidates appear in ballot draw order.

1. Jamie Dixon

Party: The Australian Greens

Background: Jamie has a passion for social justice issues, including First Nations’ Truth and Treaty, affordable housing, free and accessible education, and universal access to mental healthcare. He has worked all over Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe as a shearer, and is now enjoying life as a landscaper in the Southern Highlands, so he can dedicate more precious time to his family.

He has lived in the Illawarra for more than 20 years, moving from Berrima when he married his wife Kym, a Dapto girl. Jamie is keen to empower members of the seat of Whitlam to embrace change: to believe in a world of non-violence, anti-racism and international justice.

Top five priorities:

• Cost of living relief: ban price gouging in supermarkets to make food cheaper at the checkout; wipe all student debt to put an extra $5500 in your pocket each year
• Housing affordability and availability: freeze and cap rents to give renters immediate relief
• First Nations’ justice: $250 million for a national Truth and Justice Commission, an independent body with the powers of a royal commission
• Climate action: put an end to coal, oil and gas to tackle the climate crisis
• Healthcare: make seeing the GP free and cover dental and mental healthcare under Medicare.

For more information visit The Greens; Jamie on Facebook, Instagram; the Southern Highlands Greens, Illawarra Greens

2. Nathaniel Smith

Party: Liberal

Background: I’m married to Christine and the proud father of Charlotte, 13, and Chloe, 10. I started my career as an apprentice plumber, working my way up to become chief executive of the Master Plumbers Association of NSW. I’m passionate about my local community and I’ve always wanted it to thrive. I’ve had the privilege of representing my area as state member for Wollondilly.

I’ve got a proven track record of delivering results for our community from my time in the state parliament. I’m the best placed candidate to become the next Member for Whitlam. I’d hit the ground running and effectively advocate for Whitlam’s needs.

Top five priorities:

• Bringing down the cost of living
• A significant increase in funding for road infrastructure projects
• A Dutton Liberal government will cut fuel excise by 50 per cent for 12 months
• A Dutton Liberal government will make a $30,000 instant asset write-off permanent for our small businesses
• Stop Labor’s plan to litter our beautiful coast with wind turbines. We need a mix of power sources, including zero-emissions nuclear energy, to keep the lights on in Australia

For more information visit Nathaniel on Facebook, Instagram

3. Ben Britton

Party: independent

Background: Ben previously stood for Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party in Cunningham in the 2022 election and unsuccessfully stood for preselection with the Liberal Party in the Kiama state electorate in 2023 and the Cook federal electorate earlier this year. He was initially endorsed as the Liberal candidate for Whitlam but was stood down in the wake of comments on social media. He is a chief information security officer in the defence sector and an Army veteran who served in East Timor.

Top five priorities:

• Stand up for the Australian people and Australian values together under one flag
• Keep them honest, make them accountable in Canberra
• Reduce the cost of living, rein in wasteful spending
• Fight for sensible, cheaper energy with new coal and gas-powered power stations combined with nuclear energy; re-establish our oil refineries for cheaper fuel
• Fight for the Macquarie and Moss Vale bypasses, M1 upgrade with extra lanes from Dapto to Wollongong, West Dapto ring road and more funding for council’s road repairs and upgrades.

Click here for more information.

4. Angelo Cuda

Party: Trumpet of Patriots

Background: Angelo Cuda, a former cane cutter, truck driver, mechanic and fitter with 40 years’ experience working for one of Australia’s leading agribusiness groups, will stand for the Trumpet of Patriots in the seat of Whitlam. He brings a strong working-class background to the campaign, with additional experience as a small business owner, company director, and former union representative with the Australian Metal Workers Union.

With lifelong passions in science, astronomy, computer hardware and politics, Angelo’s biggest motivation is family and the future of everyday Australians.

Trumpet of Patriots’ priorities:

• Slash immigration by 80 per cent and prioritise needs of Australians
• Eliminate government debt with a 15 per cent licence fee on iron ore exports
• Double fees for international students so Australians can enjoy free university education
• Allow Australians to use part of their super for a home deposit and ease the housing crisis
• Abolish net zero.

Click here for more information.

5. Sharon Cousins

Party: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

Background: A wife of 35 years, mother to two adult children and a grandmother to one. Currently a board director of Illawarra Master Builders Alpine Club and an independent researcher and elections analyst. Previously worked as an insurance broker executive and small business owner (resume writer). Was an independent candidate in the 2011 local government election. Since 2003 I’ve voluntarily assisted in various elections, including as a campaign coordinator and undertaken numerous community engagement activities, including presentations, advocacy and publicly speaking at local council meetings, community halls and in Parliament House in Canberra.

Top five priorities:

• Establish a new Whitlam electorate office that is in better proximity to the people from the Southern Highlands and the Illawarra
• Foster long-term economic stability, through the Cost of Living Measures policy ensuring electricity bill reductions, fuel price relief, tax relief for households and retirees, removal of excise on beer and spirits in venues and a reduction in healthcare costs
• With funding from cutting of government waste, undertake many road upgrades
• Fund and implement a Regional Health Workforce Incentive Program with subsidised housing or relocation grants for GPs, nurses and allied health professionals and dedicated training hubs in collaboration with the University of Wollongong and TAFE
• Capitalise on growth potential following the opening of Sydney West International Airport – tourism, retail, hospitality and employment opportunities.

For more information visit One Nation, Sharon’s website, Facebook

6. Raymond Khoury

Party: Libertarian Party

Background: Raymond Khoury is proud to call the Southern Highlands home. With a PhD from the University of Sydney and three decades of experience lobbying both Commonwealth and state health departments, he brings a wealth of knowledge and determination to his candidacy.

He is a passionate advocate for civil liberties, individual responsibility and minimal government intervention in everyday life. Raymond stands firmly against climate change alarmism and rejects woke dogma, championing a practical and principled approach to governance.

Top five priorities:

• Stop the Illawarra wind farm disaster
• Funding for Southern Highlands roads
• Funding to improve congested traffic areas, eg Moss Vale bypass, Oak Flats roundabout
• Housing affordability and homelessness is the number one issue in Whitlam. This is a high priority
• There are 21 organisations in Southern Highlands giving food to those in need. This is also a high priority.

Click here for more information.

7. Cheryl Hinton

Party: Australian Citizens Party

Background: The Southern Highlands of NSW has been my home for 70 years. Although I was born on the Victorian side of the Murray River, my parents and their parents lived here in the Highlands. My mother raised eight children, of whom I was the youngest. I went to Mittagong Primary School then Bowral High School.

One of my first jobs was a teller at the Commonwealth Bank, Mittagong. I met my husband Mark, who is also local born and bred and we have now been married 51 years. We raised three children who still live locally or nearby, and who have given us nine grandchildren. Together we established and operated a family-owned business locally for 38 years. We sold this business in 2018 and are now retired. I spend a lot of time volunteering with a local charity.

Top five priorities:

• National sovereignty: return to independent foreign policy; no AUKUS; war powers reform
• Economic sovereignty: return Australia’s banking services to the people
• Return integrity to public governance
• Return to affordable housing
• Revitalise our healthcare system.

Click here for more information.

8. Paddy Moylan

Party: independent

Background: A resident of the electorate for the past 20 years, 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 is a 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. They have three children.

Top five priorities:

• Cost of living: People, families and businesses are struggling. That has to change. We need to keep the conversation on immediate changes not $5 a week half a milkshake tax cuts in the future
• Energy: we do not need wind turbines off our coast. The reality is we need a balance of coal, gas and renewables for the short to medium term
• Housing: We need a greater diversity of housing in Whitlam. That means alternate styles of housing, and it also means a strong focus on low-cost housing
• Family law: The system must be overhauled to protect the vulnerable and deliver quick and efficient outcomes to the court’s clients
• Mobile phone coverage: Improvements to coverage so we can all stay connected with our family and friends. Poor mobile phone coverage is a barrier to business success.

Click here for more information.

9. Carol Berry

Party: Labor

Background: I’ve lived in the Illawarra for over 25 years. My husband Calum and I have raised our family here and we’ve always been passionate about giving back to our community. I’ve spent years volunteering with local P&Cs, committees and sporting clubs.

I’m the CEO of The Disability Trust, based here in the Illawarra. Before this, I was the CEO of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre in Warilla. I’m really passionate about women’s health and supporting women escaping violence. Earlier on, I worked as a lawyer at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, spent time at the NSW Ombudsman and helped roll out the NDIS when I was working with the Federal Government.

Top five priorities:

• Health: I’m committed to delivering a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Shellharbour – free, bulk-billed urgent care, seven days a week to take pressure off our hospitals and make a real difference for local families
• Public education: the Albanese Government has reached agreements with every state and territory to put all public schools on a path to full and fair funding, as recommended by the Gonski Review. This means more resources, better facilities, and greater support for our teachers and students
• Local infrastructure: I want to continue the strong legacy of Stephen Jones, continuing work delivering significant projects for this region. Labor has committed $3 million to upgrading sporting fields in Whitlam
• A strong local economy: I am committed to strengthening Whitlam’s economy by backing our growing tourism industry and making sure we have a diverse, thriving mix of industries, from manufacturing to new clean energy jobs to hospitality jobs
• Protecting the environment: protecting our environment is a priority to ensure a healthy future for our kids and community. Labor is backing the Port Kembla Steelworks to reduce emissions and move towards greener steel production.

For more information visit Facebook, Instagram

10. Glenn Butterfield

Party: independent

Background: Glenn Butterfield is a life-long resident of the Southern Highlands. Educated at Mittagong Public School, Bowral High School and Albion Park High School, Glenn began his professional life as a laborer before completing a chef apprenticeship. He joined the Australian Army Reserves in 2009 with 4/3 RNSWR Wollongong. Over seven years he was deployed twice overseas to East Timor (Timor Leste) and the Solomon Islands, domestic operations and served as a team leader.

Upon returning, Glenn diversified his career, working in concreting, mining, security operations and later as a correctional officer. An active member of the Mittagong RSL sub-Branch, Glenn is committed to his community and fellow veterans. He is passionate about restoring pride in Australia and is focused on fostering a future centered on large, inspiring initiatives.

Top five priorities:

• Support reliable energy solutions with renewables and baseload power
• Lower income taxes so Australians keep more of what they earn, including reducing the tax burden on overtime and second jobs
• Reduce unsustainable immigration growth to ease housing and rental pressures while addressing cost of living through increased market competition and a common-sense energy policy that lowers costs for consumers
• Increase funding for hospitals, aged care and mental health, ensuring accessible and quality care
• Reduce government over-reach in everyday life by scrapping unnecessary laws and restoring personal responsibility. Support youth with taxpayer-funded education.

Click here for more information.

Region Illawarra will profile the candidates in Cunningham tomorrow.