Astrid O’Neill
Astrid O’Neill’s background as a young migrant to Australia, unable to speak English, and living in a housing commission estate, sparked a passion for social equity and a fair and compassionate society. She was educated in, and is a keen supporter of, the public education system. She left school early and resumed her education while working and raising two children in Parramatta. Astrid and husband Jeff have lived in Parramatta for 38 years.
Her working life includes clerical work, TAFE teaching and educational leadership. Astrid has been Deputy Principal of Blacktown TAFE College, College Director of Granville TAFE College, and a member of a NSW Government Tribunal for over 20 years. She has managed an annual budget of $32 million. Astrid holds degrees in Business and Adult Education, and has qualifications and professional experience in law, industrial relations and human resources.
Astrid is an active unionist, including union organiser, and holds elected positions at state and national level in the NSW Teachers Federation and Australian Education Union. .
A political activist since her youth, Astrid has been involved in reconciliation, social justice issues, asylum seekers, and the environment. She is a voluntary board member of an environmental organisation.
She points out that “My grandchildren’s future depends on The Greens’ policies. We support public services and infrastructure, and social justice. We’re the only party with sufficient vision to make the decisions necessary to protect our environment and our future.”
“I urge Parramatta voters to re elect The Greens’ Senator Kerry Nettle. It’s crucial to break the current Government stranglehold on the Senate. It will take both The Greens and the Labor Party in the Senate to tear up the draconian labour laws. However, Labor has joined the Liberals in abandoning the people of Parramatta by selling us out on sustainable energy and climate change. A vote for Kerry Nettle in the Senate is a vote for a balanced and reasonable Senate.”
