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David Saliba

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Dr
David Saliba
Member of the New South Wales Assembly
for Fairfield
Assumed office
25 March 2023
Preceded byGuy Zangari
Personal details
Born (1985-04-24) 24 April 1985 (age 39)
Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia
Political partyLabor
Alma materWestern Sydney University
University of Wollongong
UNSW Sydney
OccupationPolitician

David Saliba is an Australian politician. He has been a Labor member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the Electoral District of Fairfield since the 2023 New South Wales state election.

Early life

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Saliba was born at Fairfield Hospital on 24 April 1985, and was raised in a public housing estate in Cabramatta. He went to Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield.[1] He studied at Western Sydney University and the University of Wollongong. He graduated with degrees in economics and law with double first-class honours, and dux in both honours cohorts. He was also awarded the University Medal in economics.[2] David then completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (awarded with Distinction) and was admitted as a lawyer in New South Wales.[2]

Saliba went on to complete a PhD at UNSW Sydney. His thesis examined Australian economic policy, business power, and the Australian resources boom.[2]

Career

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Saliba taught both economics and law at Western Sydney University.[2] After university, he joined the Australian Federal Police (AFP).[3] He graduated from the Australian Federal Police College and became a Federal Agent in the Sydney Office.[2] He worked in multi-agency teams combatting organised crime, corruption, and drug importations.[4] He later served with the Sydney Joint Counter Terrorism Team.[3] David was awarded two AFP Commissioner’s Group Citations for Conspicuous Conduct for operations relating to terrorism, organised crime and corruption.[4]

Saliba also served in the Australian Army Reserve for more than 19 years. He graduated from the part-time general service officer course at the Royal Military College, Duntroon and became an Infantry Captain with operational service in Australia and overseas.[4]

Prior to politics, Saliba worked as a management consultant for KPMG Australia.[4]

Saliba founded the Youth Pathways Network (YPN), a volunteer group aimed at reducing youth unemployment and crime in Western Sydney.[5] He ran a mentoring program for young refugee students settling into Australia, the Say "No" to Crime Forum to help young people stay away from crime,[6] HSC study sessions to help students enter university,[5] and an online advice service for high school students about life after high school[7] as well as assisting with resume drafting and job interviews.[8] He also produced two resource booklets about employment skills and youth crime.[8]

Saliba was also a Non-Executive Director at Community First Step Australia, a not-for-profit organisation providing services for community, childcare, youth and disabilities in Fairfield City.[2]

Political career

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Saliba was endorsed as the Labor candidate for the state seat of Fairfield at the 2023 New South Wales Election and was elected to represent the seat.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "David Saliba - Labor Candidate for Fairfield". NSW Labor. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "David Saliba - Member for Fairfield". NSW Labor. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b "DAVID SALIBA CANDIDACY FOR FAIRFIELD". OZ Arab Media (Press Release). 28 February 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "Sense of neglect as Sydney's west leans towards Labor". The West Australian. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  5. ^ a b Fairfield Advance (8 August 2017). "Western Sydney friends inspire next generation to succeed with HSC and careers workshops". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  6. ^ Hamilton, Tricia (8 December 2016). "Forum highlights how young people are effected by crime". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Western Sydney friends inspire next generation to succeed with HSC and careers workshops – Jason Donnelly Barrister". Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Youth Pathways Network". Youth Pathways Network. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Fairfield - NSW Electorate, Candidates, Results". abc.net.au. Retrieved 18 June 2023.