The Liverpool South Ward by-election on April 18 represents more than simply filling a vacant seat. It provides voters an opportunity to directly influence the composition of a council operating under crisis conditions, and it offers candidates a platform to articulate their approach to the governance problems Liverpool faces.
The sitting councillors have navigated a troubled term before this by-election vote. Controversial council meetings, the ongoing inquiry, and media attention on governance and financial issues all impacting the current term of Council. Whether voters reinforce existing political blocs, back an independent, or focus on individual candidate merit will influence the council’s composition and governance direction for the remainder of this term, however long that might be.
For Labour, a Munjiza victory would maintain their four-seat position. A Dabbagh win would strengthen Liberal numbers, particularly if he could attract preference flows from minor-party voters. For independents or Community Voice, victory would break the current numerical deadlock and potentially create leverage on future council matters.
All candidates have been offered a 10 minute interview on The Pulse 89.3 2GLF and these will be going to air next Thursday the 26th of March from 9:30am. (👍= Interview agreed 🐓= yet to agree to interview)
Here is what we know about the candidates so far:
The Labour Candidate: Zeli Munjiza 👍
Labour has endorsed Zeli Munjiza as its candidate for this by-election. As a mother of three with a background as a Serbian immigrant, Munjiza represents a particular migration narrative in Liverpool’s increasingly diverse population. Munjiza migrated to Australia from Serbia at age nine with her family and has lived in Liverpool ever since, eventually settling in West Hoxton where she raised her children.
Before her formal nomination, Munjiza articulated a community advocate’s critique of council governance. She pointed to specific infrastructure problems: poorly maintained footpaths, overgrown parkland, and the lack of functioning local swimming facilities. Her comment about residents having to travel to Camden for swimming lessons—despite Carnes Hill pool remaining closed—encapsulates her campaign focus on basic council services. Zeli currently works in the office of the Member for Leppington Mr Nathan Hagarty MP.
The Liberal Candidate: Azam Dabbagh 🐓
The Liberal Party has nominated Azam Dabbagh, a real estate agent operating in Liverpool. Dabbagh works as a licensed real estate agent specialising in properties across Wattle Grove, Holsworthy, Voyager Point and surrounding suburbs. His real estate background should provide familiarity with development issues—a significant concern in Liverpool given past planning controversies including the failed Moorebank Intermodal Terminal project.
Few public records document Dabbagh’s involvement in local governance or community organisations before this nomination. The Liberals’ nomination of Dabbagh follows their 2024 success in electing Emmanuel Adjei to this ward who has also previously worked at Cubic Realty.
The Liberal Party’s position on council has been complicated by the ongoing governance inquiry and controversy surrounding Mayor Ned Mannoun’s leadership. Publicly available information provides little insight into how Dabbagh’s policy positions might differ from mainstream Liberal council positions.
The Independent Candidates: A Diverse Field
The independent field includes nine candidates running without party endorsement, presenting a varied range of backgrounds, motivations, and prior political engagement.
Karress Rhodes 🐓
Among the independents, Karress Rhodes is notable as an incumbent councillor with a complex political history. Rhodes served two terms as a Liverpool Community Independents Team (LCIT) member, elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2021. In April 2022, she resigned from LCIT over disagreements with the party’s direction and has served as an independent since. Karress used to contribute to Community Radio 89.3 2GLF as a host of “Lesbians On Air”
Rhodes held the Deputy Mayor position in 2022, which indicates respect from her fellow councillors, and has maintained a critical approach to council administration. Rhodes operates a graphic design business (KL Graphics) and holds a Justice of the Peace qualification. Rhodes represents a candidate with substantial local government experience and a record of controversial council votes. Her independent status may allow her to position herself as an alternative to both major parties and her former LCIT colleagues.
Karress is not a resident of Liverpool.
Michael Byrne 👍
Michael Byrne represents Liverpool’s tradition of independent candidacies in local elections. Byrne has lived in Chipping Norton for nearly forty years and was long associated with the East Ward Progress Association, a community group active on planning and development issues.
In 1994, Byrne contested a council by-election following Mark Latham’s move to Canberra, securing about 27 per cent of the vote—a decent result for an independent. He has continued to contest elections despite the structural disadvantages facing independents without party support.
Byrne has stated his motivation for ongoing electoral involvement as a “vocation” and “civic duty.” This indicates long-standing commitment to community advocacy rather than a recent political entry. His history with the Progress Association positions him as familiar with the planning and development controversies that have periodically affected Liverpool.
Jamal Daoud 👍
Jamal Daoud comes from a different background: registered migration agent, community organiser, and figure in Liverpool’s Muslim community. Daoud operates New Life Migrants Solutions and has been active in community advocacy on immigration and refugee matters.
He ran as an independent federal candidate in Werriwa in 2025, receiving 2.5 per cent of primary votes—a modest result but showing willingness to contest higher-level elections. During that federal campaign, Daoud reported receiving death threats from Islamic extremists, adding a personal security dimension to his political involvement.
His expertise in migration matters could prove relevant to council decisions affecting Liverpool’s diverse migrant population. His public statements have occasionally drawn controversy; he describes himself as a “campaigner for family values, freedom and civil rights,” terminology that sometimes extends to cultural issues beyond typical council scope.
Deb Gurung (Community Voice of Australia) 👍
Deb Gurung, running under Community Voice of Australia (a registered micro-party), brings significant military experience. Gurung served over 30 years in the British Army and Australian Defence Force before retiring from the ADF in 2016 and moving into volunteer and not-for-profit work.
Gurung has lived in Liverpool over 17 years and describes himself as rooted in the community with awareness of residents’ concerns. His policy platform addresses housing affordability, business support, health and education, and transport—standard council election themes.Gurung ran for mayor in 2024 under Community Voice of Australia, securing about 2.7 per cent of primary votes. His nomination for the by-election follows his mayoral campaign, suggesting Community Voice seeks ongoing council representation despite modest electoral results.
Michael Tierney 🐓
An interesting candidate who previously ran for South Ward in 2024. The Pulse made countless attempts to contact this individual for an interview in 2024. The email address used on candidates nomination form in this by- election is theater-89aikido@icloud.com which no longer receives emails. We were unable to obtain any registered election material for the candidate in 2024 and the candidate has no history of campaigning for anything in the local area other than the candidate running for the Greens in 2003.
Maria “Susie” Kneipp 🐓
Kneipp’s public profile has been shaped primarily by her representation of the Casula Community Group, through which she has regularly addressed Liverpool City Council on matters affecting residents. Her advocacy has centered on scrutinising major development applications in Casula, particularly those with potential social and amenity impacts on residents living in an area characterised by significant socioeconomic disadvantage .
This engagement reflects both a commitment to participatory democracy and concern for vulnerable populations in the South Ward. Most notably, Kneipp has been a vocal advocate regarding development applications at 443 Hume Highway, Casula (DA 348/2022), appearing before Council on behalf of the Casula Community Group in both March and April 2025 to represent community concerns. Susie ran for South Ward in 2024 under the LCIT group and now stands as an independent candidate.
Jamil Azeem 👍
Jamil demonstrated leadership from a young age serving as a Prefect and Johnson House Captain at Macarthur Anglican College in 2018. In 2023,
served as President of Sydney University Agricultural Society where he led initiatives, coordinated events and represented members.
As a young professional, he brings a practical, community – focused approach and a strong commitment to representing residents with integrity and accountability. Jamil believes ratepayers deserve genuine local representation, leaders who listen, understand local issues and advocate effectively. Liverpool is one of Australia’s fastest growing and most multicultural communities.
Other Independent Candidates
The remaining independent candidates—Alanna Humphries (Wattle Grove)👍 Edward Chave (Chipping Norton)🐓 ,—attract limited public documentation. Some candidates provided extensive contact information suggesting active campaigning, whilst others submitted minimal details to electoral authorities. These candidacies may reflect residents motivated by particular local concerns rather than candidates with substantial prior political activity.
