Bangladeshi-Australian Community Leader Announces Candidacy for NSW Parliament

Darwin, September 06: Bangladeshi-Australian community leader and Campbelltown City Councillor and former Deputy Mayor Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil Masud has formally announced his candidacy for the Macquarie Fields seat in the upcoming New South Wales (NSW) state parliamentary election.

Masud made the announcement on Saturday evening, September 5, at a candidacy launch event held at Ron Moore Community Centre in Minto, Sydney. He will contest the election as a candidate for Community Voice of Australia.

The event began with a formal Acknowledgement of Country, followed by an Indigenous dance performance. The official proceedings then commenced with the Australian national anthem.

In his address, Masud said he wanted to provide a stronger voice for local residents in the NSW Parliament, particularly on issues affecting their daily lives, community needs and rights.

He said he had spent many years working alongside local communities and, if elected to the state parliament, would work to ensure their concerns and expectations received stronger representation.

Masud has been active in local government and multicultural community affairs in Australia for many years. With nearly three decades of community service experience, he has built a profile as a local leader while also establishing himself within mainstream Australian politics.

He holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Dhaka and has also studied at Aligarh Muslim University in India and Central Queensland University in Australia.

Masud has served as a councillor on Campbelltown City Council and previously held the position of Deputy Mayor. He was re-elected as an independent councillor in the 2024 local government elections.

During the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Masud was involved in a range of humanitarian initiatives in Sydney, including providing food assistance to international students and vulnerable members of the community. His contributions received recognition and commendation from government authorities and the local council.

The Macquarie Fields electorate includes areas such as Campbelltown, Minto, Ingleburn and Glenfield, where a significant number of Bangladeshi-Australians live.

His candidacy represents a potential new development for the political representation of Bangladeshi-Australians in mainstream Australian politics, particularly given his experience in local government and community leadership.

Masud called for support from people across political and community backgrounds and sought their prayers, cooperation and support for his campaign.