The Australian Greens have today announced Mohamed El-Masri as the party's candidate for the seat of Calwell in the upcoming federal election.
With almost one-in-four (23.8%) Calwell residents identifying as Muslim and a community under pressure from the cost-of-living, the seat will be tightly contested this election, with voters feeling increasingly betrayed by Labor's failure to bring down the cost of living, bring down climate emissions and pressure the state of Israel to end its war on Gaza and Lebanon.
The Greens say El-Masri would be a powerful voice for peace and the environment in Parliament, and would fight to bring down the cost-of-living by making housing affordable and taking on the big, price-gouging supermarkets.
El-Masri is a community worker and social justice advocate who has worked in education, disability, and child protection.
With over two decades of commitment to the community, through both work and study, he brings a deep understanding of the local issues and a dedication to the needs of the Calwell electorate.
As a Muslim Australian, El-Masri says Labor's refusal to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist government to end its invasion and end the genocide would cost them seats at the election.
In the 2022 federal election Labor experienced a 9.6% swing against them in Calwell, while the Greens' candidate had a 3% swing towards them.
And in the recent Queensland state election, the Greens vote rose from 9.7% to 41% in Kuraby, an area with a high Muslim population that helps to form the federal seat of Moreton.
As stated by Australian Greens Calwell candidate, Mohamed El-Masri:
"The past twelve months need to be a turning point for Labor and the Liberals in this country.
"They can't keep taking our communities for granted and thinking they can get away with it.
"It's atrocious they are once again treating us like tokens instead of listening to the overwhelming majority of the community who feel completely betrayed by the major parties' inaction on Gaza and Lebanon.
"I've worked with the Calwell community for decades, and if elected I would be their champion in Parliament.
"As well as pushing the next government to sanction Israeli government members to stop the invasion and genocide, we also need to bring down the cost-of-living for everyone by making housing affordable and stopping the giant supermarkets from ripping people off at the register."
As stated by Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
"Mohamed would be a powerful voice in Parliament for the people of Calwell.
"People are feeling the pain of price gouging supermarkets, soaring mortgages and the major parties backing the invasion of Gaza. We can't keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result.
"At the next federal election, communities can't let the major parties take their vote for granted. If you want change, you have to vote for it. Nothing changes if nothing changes."
