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Liberals represented by Indigenous Australian in the Federal Seat of Fraser

MEDIA RELEASE - ACT Liberals

20 August 2004 - The Canberra Liberals have announced their candidates to contest the upcoming Federal election. Adam Giles, a Gamillaroi man from NSW will contest the Federal seat of Fraser.

Adam, aged 31, grew up in the Blue Mountains in NSW. His Indigenous heritage originates from the Pillaga scrub in North Western NSW.

He has worked as a public servant for almost a decade and is currently midway through a Masters in Business Administration.

"I respect the Ngunnawal people and acknowledge the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders who have come before me and created the many opportunities that are available to my people today,² Adam said.

"The ACT's Labor representatives are missing in action when it comes to looking after the people of Canberra.

³They prefer to concentrate on internal Labor squabbles and national game playing, at the expense of the people in their electorate.

"I like that we have a strong economy, we have the best track record over 30 years with unemployment, low interest rates and low inflation. But we have to continue to build on this strength and ensure that all members of the community can reap the rewards of a strong economy.

Mr Giles said standing for the federal seat of Fraser was the ³toughest and longest job interview² he had ever faced.

I had to take up the challenge. People will try and knock me down but I'll get back up again.²

President of the Canberra Liberals Gary Kent, today described Adam as a man with enormous passion, who wears his heart on his sleeve and will stand his ground at all times.

In delivering his pre-election speech Adam said, "While I will represent a community with a very small population of Indigenous Australians, people should know that I am Aboriginal and very proud of that fact.

³Aboriginal affairs is close to my heart. It is not my intention to be a national voice for Indigenous affairs, although I will always seek to do what is best for my people.

³I believe that Indigenous Australians do not want welfare. I believe we want real jobs and only a strong management team like the Liberal Party can provide this for us.

³My main reason for running is to work on doing what is best for the people of Fraser.

³ACT residents want representatives who will look after their interests. Canberra should be a place where people want to live, not have to."

If successful in his campaign Adam will be the first Aboriginal person representing the Liberal Party of Australia to be elected to federal parliament since the late Senator Neville Bonner.

Media Inquiries

Adam Giles
Andrew Wilsmore

Further information: election 2004

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