Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last week I was delighted to join the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, in the electorate of Paterson, to announce our outstanding new candidate, Laurence Antcliff. Laurence is a true Paterson local who understands the needs of his community. He lives in Paterson with his wife, Kyra, and their three children.

For over a decade, Laurence has worked in the housing sector, training and mentoring young Australians wanting to play a part in building our future. He has supported over 250 small and medium-sized construction businesses in the Hunter and across New South Wales. Laurence knows firsthand the significance of the housing crisis that is gripping our country and gripping the people of Paterson.

The community of Paterson are an aspirational people. I know that because for some years I lived in Port Stephens. Like all Australians, they deserve respect from government at all levels. Sadly, for the last two years, this community has been dismissed by the Albanese Labor government. They have seen, too many times, Labor ministers fly in with grand announcements, to the detriment of local small businesses and local residents, and then fly straight back out.

The people of Paterson deserve better, and Laurence Antcliff is that better. He will put Paterson first again, as any local member should do for their community. I look forward to fighting with Laurence, as does the rest of the Liberal team, as he campaigns for the next election to give Paterson the representation it deserves, whether that be for small manufacturing businesses in Maitland or for a tourism operator in Port Stephens. The diverse community of Paterson deserves a strong local candidate, and we'll fight really hard to deliver that with Laurence Antcliff.