News
News
Interview with Ahmed Ouf – Independent Candidate for Blaxland
Interview by Mustafa YILMAZ
Stepping into Politics
1. What inspired you to enter politics and run for federal parliament?
As a local pharmacist and son of a humanitarian surgeon, I’ve spent my life serving people. I see the pain, the struggle, and the resilience of everyday Australians, especially in our communities that make up Blaxland. I entered politics because our community deserves a louder voice, one that truly understands us, not just speaks for us from a distance. When government policies hurt my neighbours, whether it’s the rising cost of living or the silence on injustices overseas, I couldn’t just sit back. I had to step up.
2. You’ve said Canberra needs someone with an accent, someone from a minority background. Can you expand on why that representation matters?
Because policy without perspective is dangerous. When decision-makers don’t reflect the people they serve, whole communities get overlooked or misunderstood. My accent, my name, my faith, they reflect a lived experience that’s common in our suburbs. Representation means being seen, heard, and understood. It’s time Canberra felt like the country it claims to represent.
Ouf: “Compassion. Justice. Integrity. I believe in a mindset that lifts people up, not leaves them behind.”
— Mustafa Yılmaz, Editor-in-Chief of Dünya Newspaper, and Ahmet Ouf.
Independence and Personal Values
3. Why did you choose to run as an independent rather than with a major party?
Because I refuse to be a mouthpiece for party lines that ignore our community’s reality. Major parties put politics over people. I didn’t want to compromise my principles just to get pre-selected. I ran as an independent so I could answer only to the people of Blaxland, not to a party room in Canberra.
4. What does being independent allow you to do that party politics doesn’t?
It allows me to tell the truth. To vote with my conscience. To put people first, always. Independence gives me the freedom to support what’s right and oppose what’s wrong, without worrying about whether I’ll be punished by a party whip or dropped from a ticket. Being Independent gives me the freedom to represent the voice of the community uncompromisingly and fight for what our community wants and needs.
5. What values guide your decisions, and how do they shape your political vision?
Compassion. Justice. Integrity. I believe in lifting people up, not leaving them behind. My political vision is built around fairness, whether it’s fighting for affordable housing, fair wages, or standing up for the voiceless at home and abroad. These aren’t just policies; they’re promises to live by.
Vision for Blaxland
6. Why should the people of Blaxland vote for you?
Because I’m not here for a career, I’m here for a cause. I’ve lived the issues people in Blaxland face every day. I will fight harder because this isn’t just a seat to me. It’s my community. People are tired of being taken for granted by major parties. I offer an alternative: real independence, real integrity, real action.
7. What are your top three priorities for the Blaxland electorate?
8. How will you ensure you fairly represent such a diverse community, regardless of background or belief?
By listening. By showing up. By making decisions with, not just for people. I won’t just represent our diversity; I’ll live it, amplify it, and protect it. Every resident deserves to feel seen, valued, and included in shaping our future.
Cost of Living, Housing, and Healthcare
9. Cost of living is a major concern in Blaxland. What would you do to ease financial pressure on families?
I will push for price controls on essential items, expand Centrelink payments to match real-world costs, and introduce tax relief for low and middle-income earners to avoid tax bracket creep. I’ll also fight to address the issues at their causes and not just provide tokenistic Band-Aid solutions, but long term sustainable solutions for our communities.
10. What’s your solution to the ongoing housing crisis?
We need to treat housing as a human right, not just a market asset. I’ll push to build more social and affordable housing, cap rent increases, and close tax loopholes that allow big investors to price everyday people out, including limiting negative gearing, to restore fair market supply in the market. We must also support first-home buyers with real subsidies, not just lip service.
11. What changes would you push for to improve access to hospitals and healthcare in the region?
Our hospitals are overstretched and under-funded. We have only one hospital in all of Blaxland, and that is not sufficient for our needs, I’ll push for federal investment to expand local hospitals and create more clinics. I’ll advocate for restoring bulk-billing and increasing funding for GPs, specialists, and community mental health programs.
Education and Youth Empowerment
12. Education funding is a constant challenge. What are your plans to support schools and students?
I’ll advocate for increased school funding and ensure every child, regardless of postcode, gets quality education. This includes better funding for teachers, better funding for school infrastructure and ensuring that no child is left behind.
13. What message do you have for young people in Blaxland looking for opportunity and support?
You matter. You are not forgotten. This system might have ignored you, but I won’t. You deserve pathways to TAFE, university, and meaningful work. I’ll fight to bring funding for apprenticeships, mentorship programs, and youth centres back into our communities. Your future should be something you can believe in again. You also deserve to go to university without having to go into a mortgage of debt to get a degree and i will fight to make this a reality.
Foreign Policy and Palestine
14. What’s your stance on Australia’s policy regarding Palestine and Gaza?
I believe Australia has a moral and legal duty to speak out against occupation, apartheid, and genocide. I support sanctions against Israel, a suspension of military cooperation, and full diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine. I also support the right of return for Palestinian refugees. Silence is complicity, and I won’t be complicit.
15. Do you believe Senator Fatima Payman did the right thing by speaking out? Would you have done the same?
Absolutely. She showed courage and conviction in the face of enormous pressure. I commend her. And yes, I would’ve done the same. Our job as public servants is to serve truth and justice, even when it’s politically risky.
16. Why didn’t you join her newly formed political party? Do you plan to collaborate?
I deeply respect what she’s doing, but I chose to run as a true independent. That doesn’t mean we won’t collaborate, I’m open to working with anyone fighting for justice. I believe our community needs a voice unfiltered by any party, no matter how well-intentioned.
Engagement with the Turkish-Australian Community
17. Do you have a message specifically for the Turkish community in Australia?
I see you. I honour your hard work, your resilience, and your culture. Whether you arrived last year or last generation, you’ve helped shape Australia for the better. I promise to be a voice that protects your rights, celebrates your contributions, and fights for your future.
18. How do you hope to build stronger ties and trust within this community?
By being present, listening, and delivering results. I’ll regularly consult with Turkish-Australian leaders, youth, and elders. I want the community to help shape policy, not just be told about it later. Trust is built through respect and action, and I will do both.
Family and Personal Journey
19. How has your family responded to your political journey? Are they supportive?
They’ve been incredible. My parents taught me to serve others, and that value has guided my every step. My family knows this journey comes with sacrifices, but they also know it’s about something bigger than us. Their support means everything.
20. As a healthcare professional and immigrant, can you share more about your personal story and how it shaped your approach to public service?
I migrated to Australia as a young man, navigating two worlds, my cultural heritage and my new home. Working as a pharmacist, I’ve seen what people go through just to survive, especially migrants, single parents, and pensioners. It’s made me fiercely committed to equity. I don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks. That’s why I’m here, to hold the system accountable and help build one that serves everyone.
