“She’s the real deal”: Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thrown his backing behind the Coalition’s candidate in Parramatta.
Touring the Rheem Australia manufacturing facility on Tuesday, April 12, the Prime Minister was joined by Liberal Candidate for Parramatta Maria Kovacic, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Senator Marise Payne a factory in Rydalmere.
Speaking to the press, Mr Morrison was asked if he thought Labor Candidate for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton, was out of touch.
Mr Charlton faced criticism after announcing he would host a fundraiser, alongside former NSW Premier Bob Carr, in the Sydney CBD – outside the electorate he is hoping to win. Offering “drinks and canapes,” the fundraiser is $200-a-head.
PM has arrived in the Western Sydney seat of Parramatta. He’s campaigning with Liberal candidate Maria Kovacic. Labor currently holds it on a margin of 3.5%. @SBSNews #auspol pic.twitter.com/YOltOxyhOL
— Pablo Viñales (@pablovinales) April 11, 2022
“[Ms Kovacic’s] opponent used to work for Kevin Rudd, I’ve known him for some time, but he’s not from western Sydney,” Mr Morrison said.
In reference to Ms Kovacic being a member of the steering committee for Parramatta Eels’ Women@Eels, Mr Morrison called her “the real deal – she’s the real eel.”
Ms Kovacic said she loved western Sydney and Parramatta, and that the community is really important to her.
“I’ve spent many years working here and advocating for the community, so what I’m trying to do here to represent this community is an extension of what I’ve already been doing over the past decade,” she said.
“People want to be heard and I’m here to listen.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.