Call for a change

By Kelly Yates
HALLAM’S Ricardo Balancy says Holt is “ready for change”.
Mr Balancy confirmed his pre-selection by the Liberal Party this week, saying he was stepping up to contest the federal election in the seat of Holt on 21 August.
The 44-year-old will go head-to-head with Labor MP Anthony Byrne, who has held the seat since 1999.
This is the first time Mr Balancy has run for a seat.
“I’ve been involved in campaigns in the past and got to see what goes on in the background,” he said.
“And it got me excited to take it to the next step. I’ve always had an interest in politics, even when I was back in Mauritius. My uncles were all involved in politics back home.”
The father of two, who has lived in Holt for the past 24 years, said running for federal government was something “beyond his widest dreams.”
Mr Balancy has worked for the Commonwealth Public Service for 25 years and has been actively involved with various community-based non profit organisations.
He has been a volunteer with the Keysborough Soccer Club for the past 18 years and was awarded a Multicultural Award in 2007 for his work with the various ethnic groups within the club and community.
“I want to bring my administrative, people, and leadership skills and abilities to deliver better outcomes for the local community,” he said.
“There are critical local issues which require urgent attention. I have a strong sense that our community is missing out and it saddens me that under Labor local infrastructure, health services and public transport are failing, and crime is at an all time high.
“All levels of government have a role to play in ensuring the safety of all individuals and the people of Holt have been let down by Labor in this area.”
Mr Balancy says a Coalition government will re-establish the Community Crime Prevention Program, committing $50 million towards a sustained national approach to community crime prevention.
The program was established by the Coalition in 2004 and Labor replaced it in 2007 with a $15 million initiative called Safer Suburbs, which Mr Balancy says has “failed”.
Crime prevention is something which hits home for Mr Balancy after his son was assaulted by a group of men back in February this year.
He said his son was hit to the back of the head with a bat and spent five days recovering in hospital.
“My son was attacked while he was on his way home from a party,” he said.
“People need to be safe in our streets.”
For details call Ricardo Balancy on 0424 190 078 or visit ricardo.balancy@vic.liberal.org.au.