Pasifika forum amplifies Western Sydney voices
In a landmark gathering ahead of the federal election, diverse members of the Pasifika communities of Western Sydney are coming together to voice their experiences of the issues affecting them and call for action from candidates.
The forum gathering at Penrith Panthers Club on April 27th will hear about the interests and concerns of Pasifika people involved in community groups, unions voices, and Uniting Churches.
The Pacific region is uniquely affected by climate change. The effects of climate change on quality of life across the Western suburbs as well as in home countries across the Pacific islands, due to rising seas and coastal erosion, are two key areas of concern.
“There is unprecedented urgency for our communities,” says Rev. Alimoni [Moni] Taumoepeau, a coordinator of the gathering.
“The temperature of issues like housing affordability, rising cost of living expenses and above all, climate change’s catastrophic impact on our communities here and back home, are heating up.”
The forum, which is Uniting Church led and Sydney Alliance supported, takes place in Penrith, which is in the key election Division of Lindsay. This is a ‘swinging seat’ that candidates from both major parties will want to win. To do this they need to pay attention to what matters to the people of Penrith region.
Several political leaders have been invited to the gathering, including Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Member for McMahon, The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction and the The Hon Stuart Ayres, Member for Penrith.
Additionally, local members and candidates for the Federal electorates of Lindsay (Penrith) and Macquarie (Blue Mountains) have been invited. A wide array of Pasifika community members will be in attendance and this may include invitees of the NRL community.
Journalists are invited to witness and report on the event.
Contact Daniel Nour, Sydney Alliance Communications Coordinator, dnour@sydneyalliance.org.au, 0410 106 913
