A WESTERN suburbs lawyer will have the unenviable task of trying to unseat Prime Minister Julia Gillard at September’s federal election.
Nihal Samara, 37, has been named as the Liberal party’s candidate for the federal seat of Lalor. He was the only nominee and was formally endorsed by the party last Friday.
Mr Samara grew up in the western suburbs and lives in Altona Meadows with his wife Monique and son Oden, 18 months.
Based in Melbourne, he is the legal director and senior executive officer at consultancy Kaizen Synergy. Mr Samara has worked as a lawyer for community groups such as the Westgate General Practice Network and indigenous health organisation Gathering Place.
One of his main goals is to create improved infrastructure and liveability in Melbourne’s western growth corridor.
He said the September 14 election would be the “most important election in decades”. “Australians will decide which leader and party will put the national interests first.”
Mr Samara said the election would be critical in steering the direction of the country through uncertain economic times.
Lalor has been a Labor stronghold for the past 44 years. Ms Gillard has held the seat of Lalor since 1998 and won the 2010 election decisively, with 64 per cent of the primary vote.
Merv Lee was the last Liberal Lalor MP, holding the seat from 1966-1969. Liberal Party state director Damien Mantach said Mr Samara was ready to take up the fight.
“All our candidates are on the ground listening to the concerns of their local communities.”
