My name is Jeffrey Gabriel. I am the youngest of triplets born to Portuguese migrants. I have no other brothers or sisters. I live with my identical twin brother, my sister and my parents. I have lived in Sydney’s inner west my entire life and I love the place. I am currently living in Stanmore, where I have been for 24.2 of my 24.9 years on Earth. I know I am biased but it’s the best suburb in Sydney.

I am currently working as a legal clerk and I hope to be admitted as a solicitor by February next year.

My spare time is spent absorbed in sport, politics and the community. I love my sport, particularly my Newtown Jets, Australia’s oldest Rugby League Club on whose Board I proudly sit. I’m also a big fan of cricket, soccer, tennis, basketball, Australian football and netball.

I love my politics. Being a candidate that’s probably a bit obvious. I’ve been an Australian Democrats supporter from way back. I remember seeing John Coulter address the nation on ABC during the 1993 election. I’ve been curious ever since. I admire the way they have worked to produce effective outcomes for Australia and I admire their resolve to curb the excesses of government and expose hypocrisy.

I am also very passionate about my community. It goes beyond local pride. I geuinely care about my patch of Sydney and want to see it and its people improve, mature and develop. I have a strong sense of social justice that I can trace back to my Catholic school education. I’m not a devout person these days but I acknowledge this aspect of religion as a strong influence on my conscience.

That’s probably why I’ve often been so quick to put my hand up to help out at the Jets, at St Vincent De Paul, where I was once a member, and at other charity events where I have pitched in, including six years for Kids Help Line and a couple of events with SHINE For Kids. It’s not about devoting your whole life but rather pitching in every so often. It is a very humbling experience and certainly most rewarding.