Family First National Director and NSW Legislative Council candidate Lyle Shelton today welcomed Liverpool City Councillor Peter Ristevski to Family First, saying the move will strengthen the party’s campaign to take the pressure off families in Western Sydney.
Mr Shelton said Cr Ristevski’s commitment to families, responsible development, good government and protecting Liverpool’s quality of life made him a natural fit for Family First.
“Western Sydney families are under enormous pressure – from the cost of housing and energy to congested roads, stretched infrastructure and relentless overdevelopment,” Mr Shelton said.
“Peter understands that government should be making life easier for families, not piling more pressure on them.
“He has consistently fought overdevelopment and demanded that infrastructure keep pace with Liverpool’s rapid population growth.
“Families who work hard to buy a home and raise their children should not see their quality of life eroded because governments approve more development without providing the roads, schools, hospitals, parks and services needed to support it.”
Mr Shelton also commended Cr Ristevski for raising concerns about unauthorised Islamic places of worship, including the Al-Tawhid Centre at Leppington, which Liverpool City Council confirmed did not have development approval to operate as a place of public worship.
“Family First strongly supports religious freedom, but no one is above the law,” Mr Shelton said.
Cr Ristevski said he was delighted to be joining Family First.
“I’m very pleased to be joining a party that understands the pressures families in Western Sydney are facing and wants to do something about them,” Cr Ristevski said.
“My priority has always been the people of Liverpool – protecting their quality of life, fighting irresponsible development and making sure Council listens to the families and residents it is supposed to serve.
“Having the support of Family First will help me better represent Liverpool families and give an even stronger voice to their concerns.”
Cr Ristevski said Family First’s values resonated strongly with his own.
“Families are working hard, paying their mortgages and taxes and trying to give their kids the best possible start in life. Government should be taking pressure off them, not making life harder.
“I want Liverpool to be a place where families can afford to live, raise their children safely and have the opportunity to flourish.”
