In the heart of western Sydney, a political storm is brewing. Ahmed Ouf, a local pharmacist and recent immigrant from Egypt, has set his sights on the historically safe Labor seat of Blaxland. Emboldened by his surprising success in the Cumberland council elections, Ouf believes he has what it takes to unseat incumbent MP Jason Clare and bring a fresh perspective to Canberra.
From Council Chambers to Federal Parliament?
Ouf’s journey into politics began with a personal mission: finding accessible swimming facilities for his disabled son. Frustrated by the lack of local amenities, he decided to run for council as an independent. His grassroots campaign, fueled by a team of community experts and an army of volunteers, shocked Labor by attracting more votes than their candidate in the South Granville ward.
Now, with his council election machine “well-oiled” and “ready to go again,” Ouf has his eyes on a bigger prize: the seat of Blaxland. Held by Labor since its creation in 1949 and once represented by former Prime Minister Paul Keating, Blaxland is a Labor stronghold. But Ouf believes times are changing.
Labor didn’t believe I could get onto the council, but I proved them wrong. And we are confident we will to do it again. I’m not here to shake a narrative, or to swing a seat, I believe I can win.
Ahmed Ouf, Independent Candidate for Blaxland
A Changing Electorate
Blaxland, which includes the suburbs of Bankstown, Auburn, Lidcombe, and South Granville, has undergone significant demographic shifts in recent decades. Once a bastion of the white working class, it is now home to large immigrant communities from Lebanon, China, Vietnam, and Nepal. Ouf believes these changes, combined with growing voter frustration, have created an opening for an independent challenger.
You need someone with an accent in Canberra. You need someone with dark skin, an immigrant, someone from a minority, who is independent and can speak freely, in Canberra, representing this area.
Ahmed Ouf
Local Issues, National Stage
Ouf’s platform centers on local issues: unemployment, lack of youth support, cost of living pressures, and inadequate services and infrastructure. He accuses Labor of neglecting the area, pointing to a lack of new schools, projects, and initiatives over the past decade.
While the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a “personal turning point” for Ouf, he stresses that it is just one of many issues driving voter discontent. His “multi-issue” campaign aims to address the everyday concerns of Blaxland residents, from housing affordability to healthcare access.
A Testament to Grassroots Politics
Ouf’s council victory, built on door-knocking and community engagement, has made him a candidate to watch. Electoral analyst Ben Raue notes that having a “machine of supporters” is a valuable asset, and that Ouf seems to be “the right kind of candidate to challenge for Blaxland.”
Clearly, there’s a moment right now where Labor is a bit vulnerable, and this is an interesting test case.
Ben Raue, Electoral Analyst
A Changing Political Landscape
Ouf’s candidacy comes at a time of shifting political winds in Australia. The rise of independents and minor parties, coupled with declining trust in major parties, has created opportunities for newcomers to upset the status quo. Whether Ouf can translate his local success to the federal stage remains to be seen, but his confidence is unwavering.
Labor’s time in western Sydney has run out. And if they can’t see it, they are delusional.
Ahmed Ouf
As the battle for Blaxland begins, all eyes will be on this unlikely challenger from Sydney’s west. Can a local pharmacist with a compelling story and a grassroots army reshape the political landscape? Only time, and the voters, will tell.
