Lifelong Shoalhaven local, lawyer, and former Councillor Paul Ell has promised to be an energetic champion for local families and small businesses, better infrastructure, safer communities and frontline services as the Liberal candidate for South Coast.
Raised in East Nowra public housing and supported early in life by The Smith Family through a Learning for Life scholarship, Paul went on to graduate from the University of Wollongong with degrees in Law and Commerce and was admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
A passionate grassroots community advocate, Paul has devoted years to supporting local organisations, including Rotary, The Smith Family, the Cancer Council, and the Shoalhaven Superheroes Volunteer Service.
Living locally with his husband Andrew, Paul knows how tough the local community has been hit by Labor’s cost of living crisis.
As a Shoalhaven City Councillor from 2021 to 2024, Paul has been a fierce defender of household budgets, successfully fighting against a proposed Greens-Labor 44 per cent rate increase, while taking up the fight for maintenance of critical community infrastructure including our local roads and improvements to storm water drainage.
Paul also used his platform as Councillor to advocate for sensible planning reform and measures to increase
regional housing supply and affordability
“The South Coast has been consistently taken for granted and overlooked by the Labor Government,” said Mr Ell. “Having lived here all my life, I have never seen our community in such dire straits.”
“Under Labor, regional roads have been left to fall into disrepair, cost of living pressures are squeezing household budgets, and our vital local health services are being neglected. The South Coast cannot afford to be left behind any longer.
“I am committed to fighting every day to ensure our region gets its fair share, delivering real upgrades to critical roads like the Princes Highway, restoring community voice in planning, and securing the healthcare investments our growing communities rely on.
“Crime is out of control in towns and villages across the South Coast. I will fight hard for the extra police resources we need to ensure that local residents and businesses can feel safe as part of our Safer Streets, Stronger Communities plan to tackle crime.”
As part of Kellie Sloane’s Liberal team, Paul said he will be a tireless advocate for policies that will help the South Coast get ahead, including the 25 per cent infrastructure funding regional guarantee and restoring the Regional Seniors Travel Card.
As the local Liberal candidate, Mr Ell said he will fight to deliver the roads, police, health services, and essential infrastructure that the South Coast community desperately needs.
