Fil-Aussie strives to make history in Australian politics

Only 33 years old, Filipino-Australian Carmen Garcia hopes to make history in Australia's politics as the first person with Filipino roots to hold a position in the lower house of Adelaide.

 

“I do hope to be the first one elected as a member of the Liberal Party of Australia,” Garcia told GMA News Online via email.

 

Garcia said she feels that it is a privilege to serve the party, the people and the country where she was born and raised.

“Our party has clear values and we know what we stand for. In a nut shell, the Liberal Party of Australia stands for hope, reward, and opportunities for all of us. We value freedom and choice and we encourage the personal responsibility of give and take,” she said.

Garcia said the Liberal Party's objectives mainly revolve around this: a strong and prosperous economy while maintaining safety and security in Australia.

 

“The seat of Adelaide covers an area of approximately 76 square kilometers and takes in the capital city,” she explained.

The Australia elections will be held on September 14 this year.

Fairly new to politics

 

Although fairly new to politics, Garcia said she will be using her experience working as a long-term advocate for the youth with migrant and refugee backgrounds.

 

“We need a representative who is genuine, community-minded and has life experience they can bring to the privileged position,” she said.

 

Garcia became the director of the non-profit organization Multicultural Youth South Australia Inc. in 2010. She turned it into a multi-million dollar education and development center in three years.

 

For her contributions to society, she received the Young Achiever Award for community service and the Governor's multicultural award, among others.

 

“But beyond all this, it is my commitment to advancing Adelaide, to see a greater investment in our area, more jobs, better local services and strong voice in Parliament that will fight for the needs and interests of the people that makes me the best person to represent Adelaide,” she said.

 

If she wins...

She may dream big but she knows how to keep her feet on the ground.

Asked about her thoughts on winning the election and making history, Garcia said, “I have not looked that far in front of me. For now I'm trying to speak to as many of the 100,000 voters in my area to convince them that I am the best person for the job." 

Garcia said she wants to be a "responsive representative," who asks her constituents about their needs.

 

A family-oriented person, Garcia said she will be fighting for families if elected into office.

 

“I am fighting for all of us, so that we can all participate in the economic, social and cultural prosperity of our country,” she said.

 

A new mother, Garcia emphasized that Adelaide needs “a quality education system [and] childcare that supports women's participation in the workforce.”

 

She also hopes to help create more jobs in Adelaide.

 

“...Supporting our small businesses that are our biggest employer in Australia will create more jobs and we have committed to generating one million new jobs over the next five years. And we will do this by growing a bigger, more productive economy,” she added.

She said she intends to work hard "to make life easier and to deliver a better future for our city.”

 

“I want to use my experience to create real opportunities for people in Adelaide by generating more local jobs, reducing cost of living pressures, delivering better frontline services and improving our roads,” Garcia said.

 

Love for the Philippines

 

Garcia was born and raised in Australia but she still loves the Philippines.

She made her first trip to the Philippines for baptism when she was only four months old.

 

She started visiting the Philippines after graduating from college.

Garcia even started scholarship programs to support her less fortunate countrymen.

 

“I have always had a passion for children and women and have supported orphanages, domestic violence centres and seed projects for women to earn income,” she explained.

 

Garcia was also the first vice president for youth affairs in the Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCCA) and further becoming the vice president for internal affairs.

 

“Through these roles I spearheaded many initiatives including raising money through Miss FILCCA for Gawad Kalinga and other projects across Davao, Cebu and Manila,” she said.

 

Garcia said she tries to “go home” to the Philippines every year. However, since the birth of her nine-month old daughter, she has been unable to visit the country.
 

“I love everything about the Philippines, but the people stand out to me the most. I am proud of my heritage. I believe it is responsible for my strong belief in public service and giving back to the community,” she said.

 

Garcia said she plans to visit the Philippines after the Australian elections. - VVP, GMA News