Introducing Robert Kok - CoS Councillor

INTRODUCING ROBERT KOK, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE

Robert Kok will stand with me as part of the Clover Moore Independent Team at the Local Council Elections. Robert is committed to further strengthening the vibrant relationship between the City and our Asian communities, and to implementing Sustainable Sydney 2030, particularly linking the CBD to the Harbour and the City's southern areas.

Robert is also a strong advocate for our Chinatown Improvement Plan, an important project endorsed by Council in the City Central Local Action Plan. This financial year, the City approved funding to complete consultation and design work on the project, and I know Robert will work tirelessly to ensure its implementation.

Robert was born in Kuala Lumpur, a Malaysian of Chinese descent, and migrated to Australia with his family in 1987. He graduated from Macquarie University with a BA degree in Environmental & Resource Management, studying global warming and resource management before it became popular, and completed a post graduate degree in law at Bond University. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1997 and specialises in property, commercial, business and migration law.

From 2002 to 2004 Robert was President of the Australian Chinese Community Association of NSW, the largest Chinese community association in NSW. He has chaired the City's Chinese New Year Festival Committee for the past three years and was previously Chair of the Chinatown Advisory Committee.

In 2003 Robert was awarded a Scholarship for Leadership program with Asialink. While completing the program he was invited to join a team of psychologist, doctors and social work specialists to assist in the setting up of Mental Health Care facility in Beijing China with the Asialink Centre.

Robert's knowledge of the Chinese community has been invaluable to me as Lord Mayor and will enable him to make a significant contribution to Council.

Robert Kok writes:

"Over the past seven years I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the City under the leadership of three Lord Mayors to represent the Chinese community. The support that Clover Moore and her Independent Team have shown over the past four years has been crucial in strengthening the City's relationship with the Chinese community and the growth of the Chinese New Year Festival.

"Clover has shown her personal support through her participation in the Premier's Mission to China earlier this year and through a grant of $20,000 from her Lord Mayoral Salary Trust to CASS Care Ltd. I am impressed with Clover establishing the Trust to honour her 2004 commitment to donate her Lord Mayoral fees to charity.

"The grant to CASS was for a project to empower and support socially isolated Chinese seniors living in the City of Sydney area. As President of the Australian Chinese Community Association, I spent a lot of time visiting with the elderly. Apart from finding this personally fulfilling, it made me aware of the importance of such programs.

"In past four and a half years, I have seen significant changes that have improved the quality of life in the City. I believe Sustainable Sydney 2030 will help Sydney become the truly global city it deserves to be.

"I hope to be involved in developing the City's exciting plans for the Haymarket, Chinatown and Belmore Park, based on the 2030 vision and priorities identified through consultation for the City Central Local Action Plan, which aims to revitalise the area and capture the spirit, culture and gardens of China.

"I am proud to be part of a Team which represents my values and which is open and willing to engage with the community and community welfare. I want to be part of a Team with an exciting vision for our City and the record of achievement to deliver on infrastructure plans for the city and economic opportunities for the businesses.

"A major goal over the next four years will be to encourage the full involvement of Sydney's Asian communities and our City's other migrant groups in the further developing the Local Action Plans and achieving the Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision."