Southwick wins a third tilt at parliament

David Southwick with his wife Hayley and children Tyler and Paige. Photo: Ben Weinstein

NAOMI LEVIN

DAVID Southwick edged closer to a seat in Victoria’s Parliament after he won Liberal Party pre-selection for the seat of Caulfield last Thursday.

If elected in next year’s state election, Southwick would replace long-standing Caulfield MLA Helen Shardey, who announced her retirement after 13 years in the seat.

“I am honoured to be chosen by the Liberal Party to be the candidate for Caulfield,” Southwick said after gaining preselection unopposed.

“Born in Caulfield and living most of my life in the area, I will work to make a difference through actively representing the interests of our community.”

It is Southwick’s third tilt at winning a seat for the Liberal Party.

In 2004, he faced Michael Danby in the then safe federal seat of Melbourne Ports. While he didn’t win, he did gain a two per cent swing making the seat more marginal.

In 2006, he narrowly missed out on winning a seat in Victoria’s upper house.

Southwick said this week he was pleased to be trying again.

“I look forward to contesting the next election as the Liberal candidate for Caulfield, and as part of [Opposition Leader] Ted Baillieu’s team,” he said.

“I am not taking the election for granted. Helen Shardey has been a great representative for Caulfield and I will have to put in a lot of hard work to ensure that Caulfield stays Liberal.”

He also called for a change of government, saying Premier John Brumby was “tired and arrogant”.

“At every level, Labor has failed Victoria,” he said. “However, we cannot underestimate the potent political spin still wielded by the Victorian Labor Party machine and their mates in Canberra.

“The work required for us between now and Saturday November 27, 2010 is immense.”

Southwick was endorsed for pre-selection by businessman Graham Smorgon, who told The AJN he had high expectations for Southwick.

“I have known David for a decade and I cannot think of a better person to represent and fight for our community in state parliament,” he said.

“His work in community and social service organisations, particularly those focused on the less fortunate, are the mark of a real community champion.”

While he has becoming well known for his political exploits, Southwick is perhaps best known within the Jewish community as the disco king, having provided entertainment for thousands of Jewish children at bar and bat mitzvahs.

These days he is a successful businessman. He established and sold the $6 million skin-care company The Body Collection and is currently the director of Ice Events, an event management company. He also sits on a number of boards for community organisations.

Get The AJN Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up