Ganesh Loke wears many hats—but every role he’s taken on over the past two decades has had one goal in mind: serving the people…
He’s a filmmaker, educator, motivational speaker, and seasoned community organiser—now Ganesh Loke is hoping to become Parramatta’s next federal representative. With roots in Sydney’s southwest stretching back two decades, Loke’s face is familiar to many across the region—not just from campaign posters, but from job expos, housing help sessions, and weekend seminars where he’s mentored hundreds.
His previous campaigns in 2013 and 2019 were under the United Australia Party banner. In 2025, he’s back—this time with Trumpet of Patriots, the rebranded offshoot. And his campaign is rooted in the same message he’s been spreading since the start: a people-first approach that focuses on equity, housing, infrastructure, and social justice.
Outside politics, Loke’s creative work reaches thousands—his films, often built around patriotism and social change, have gone viral. A novel, The Pursuit of Dreams, based on his life, charts his early challenges and rise as a community leader.
Now, with Parramatta’s population soaring and infrastructure under strain, Loke says the time for ‘side conversations’ is over. “We need to be in the room,” he says. The Indian Sun sat down with Ganesh for this wide-ranging Q&A.
⭐ What motivated you to contest the 2025 election?
I have been active in social work in Sydney’s southwest region for the last 20 years and have contested the federal election twice before—once in 2013 and again in 2019.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, I’ve always believed that real change starts with yourself and by helping people, and being willing to do the social work.
Over the years, I’ve seen how decisions made by the government in Canberra directly impact our communities—whether it’s in healthcare, education, housing, or climate action. I was inspired to run because I no longer wanted to just talk about the issues—I wanted to be in the room where those decisions are made, so I can help the community.
What truly pushed me was listening to people in my electorate who felt like their voices weren’t being heard. They’re concerned about cost of living, housing affordability, jobs, and the future of their kids.
I realised that if I could bring their stories, their struggles, and their hopes into Parliament, maybe we could start making politics more about people, and less about power.
⭐ What are your top three priorities for the people of Parramatta?
i) Affordable Housing and Rental Relief: Parramatta is growing rapidly, and with that comes rising housing costs that are pushing many families to the brink. My top priority is increasing access to affordable housing—not just for first-home buyers, but also for renters and essential workers. That means supporting mixed housing developments, stronger tenant protections, and real incentives for affordable housing supply.
ii) Public Transport and Infrastructure Upgrades: As a major hub in Western Sydney, Parramatta needs better public transport connections—especially with the Metro West and light rail projects on the horizon. But beyond flashy projects, we need reliable, frequent services and improved local roads to support our growing population. I’d push for more federal investment into infrastructure that makes daily life easier.
iii) Better Access to Healthcare and Community Services: Whether it’s local hospitals like Westmead or community health clinics, we need more frontline staff, shorter wait times, and improved mental health services—especially for young people and multicultural communities. A key part of this is also making Medicare stronger and ensuring GPs remain affordable and accessible across the electorate.
⭐ Parramatta has seen huge population growth and demographic shifts. How do you plan to address the pressures on housing, infrastructure, and public services?
Parramatta’s rapid population growth and demographic changes need comprehensive strategies. It needs a federal representative who listens to local people and understands their needs.
As mentioned in my top three priorities, I’ll work with people and with the federal government to ensure locals receive affordable housing and rental support. I’ll also advocate for infrastructure upgrades and improved access to healthcare and community services.
My coordinated efforts will aim to ensure Parramatta evolves into a well-connected, liveable city, ready to accommodate its growing population.
⭐ What are some of the most urgent issues you believe local families and small businesses are facing right now?
Cost of Living and Economic Stability: Rising living costs—especially housing—are a central concern. Global factors like China’s slowdown and a possible US recession add to financial pressures.
Climate Change and Environmental Policies: People are rightly worried about natural disasters and environmental decline. Climate action must be a serious national commitment.
Youth Concerns: Young people are focused on affordable housing, job opportunities, and the environment. Their future is at stake, and that must be reflected in policy.
⭐ You’ve done a lot of community work over the years, including motivational seminars and employment support. How does that connect with your vision as a political candidate?
My motivational work is all about empowering individuals—not just fixing systems.
It’s about helping people believe in their potential—especially those who feel left behind. That same philosophy can drive policies focused on:
- Equitable access to education and training
- Youth mentorship and job pathways
- Mental health and resilience support
We should be building policy that uplifts people—not just manages them.
⭐ How do you plan to engage multicultural communities in this election—and ensure their concerns are taken seriously?
Through genuine engagement, not just election outreach.
That means:
- Holding regular forums and town halls in community languages
- Attending cultural events as a participant, not just a speaker
- Setting up advisory councils with respected community leaders
- Acting on real concerns like preventing attacks on religious places
- Multicultural communities are central to Parramatta. Their voices deserve long-term respect.
⭐ How would you support better access to education, job opportunities, and healthcare in your electorate?
Education should never depend on your postcode. Here’s how I’ll help:
- Invest in local schools—resources, infrastructure, support staff
- Support affordable early childhood education and preschool
- Partner with TAFEs, unis, and training providers for job-ready programs
- Boost digital access for students in low-income households
- Help job seekers find meaningful work and support local businesses
- Strengthen Medicare and ensure GP access remains affordable
⭐ What are your thoughts on Australia’s broader immigration and visa settings—especially family reunification, student pathways, and parental visas?
Immigration should reflect values of fairness and unity. Migrants are not just economic inputs—they build lives and communities.
Family Reunification should be a priority. The long delays for partner and parent visas cause real distress. I’d advocate for:
- Faster processing for permanent residents and citizens
- Transparent criteria and clearer communication
- Recognition that families strengthen mental health and economic participation
⭐ If elected, how will you make yourself accessible to the public? Any unique commitments to your constituents?
If elected, I’ll stay accessible both online and in person. If someone needs help, I or my staff will visit their home if required.
This is a unique commitment. No federal MP that I know of regularly visits constituents at home unless it’s campaign time. I plan to change that.
⭐ What values or principles guide your work, both as a leader and as a person?
The values that guide me are drawn from leaders like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Barack Obama:
- Equity and opportunity for all
- Fairness and social justice
- Compassion and integrity
⭐ And a few quick ones for our readers…
a) A role model you look up to?
Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Barack Obama.
b) A book or film that shaped your thinking?
Book: My Experiments with Truth by Gandhi.
Film: Gandhi (1982, directed by Richard Attenborough)
And yes—I love Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Because love is beautiful. And it matters.
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🏛️ @GaryLoke4Prmtta, filmmaker & community leader, runs for #Parramatta under #TrumpetOfPatriots. 🏠 Top priorities: housing, transport & healthcare for multicultural electorate. ✊ "Policy should uplift people, not just manage them." #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/dVvZSX8SA1
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) April 20, 2025
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