Tim Hansen knows it is strange for a Keep Sydney Open party to run for the Bathurst seat in the State Election but said with the Central West's growing cultural community, Sydney could learn a thing or two from us.
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The Keep Sydney Open party formed after the lockout laws were introduced in 2014, which require bars, pubs and clubs in the Sydney CBD entertainment precinct to close their doors to new arrivals at 1.30am and serve last drinks at 3am.
This prompted a new political movement, Keep Sydney Open, that is now campaigning for "more vibrant and inclusive nightlife, supported by 24-hour transport, smarter policing and better services".
Tim Hansen grew up in Orange but attended university in Bathurst and, after a time travelling and living in New York and then Sydney, has returned to the Central West and is now living in Carcoar.
Mr Hansen said he believed his time away from the area had some benefits.
"I feel that I have learnt a lot and can bring some of those experiences of what works and what doesn't work to the area," he said.
"With the things I've seen, I'm ready to make the Central West a cultural powerhouse and I don't know any other candidate that could do that."
On how he plans on helping Lithgow thrive, Mr Hansen said that he would want more funding for events so that Lithgow could put on events that matter to them.
"Ironfest for example was a festival started by locals for locals, and if that could get proper funding imagine how big it could be," he said.
"Events like this deserve funding, and for someone to fight for funding in rural communities, because sometimes it can be too intimidating to go for funding against bigger events, rural people need to feel like they can go for it."
Mr Hansen said he believed that rural areas could teach Sydney what it was like to have a thriving arts culture with a level playing field.
"On the other hand we can learn from Sydney who has a strong arts culture, and a diverse one, where people realise that not every product is for everyone," he said.
Mr Hansen said The Keep Sydney Open Party and the current state party have different approaches to issues.
"The principal policies of this party are nurturing culture and art across the state and not just in Sydney," he said.
Mr Hansen said he believed that young people had suffered the consequences of the lockout laws.
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"The state is culturally poorer for it, and the young people suffer," he said.
Mr Hansen is confident that he has the skills to be a good leader.
"Nothing in me that says this is a bad decision, nothing, but I am excited for the opportunity, I'm in it to win this and I'm going to prove to the people that I am a good leader and have good ideas about what I can do next," he said.
Mr Hansen said that with his party starting from scratch, they are free from the preconceived notions about them.
"I would say don't not vote for someone because you think they are less likely to win, that is a misconception, your vote will count all the way to the end of this process," he said.
The election takes place on Saturday, March 23.
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