David Saliba

Saliba taught both economics and law at Western Sydney University.^[2] After university, he joined the Australian Federal Police (AFP).^[3] He graduated from the Australian Federal Police College and became a Federal Agent in the Sydney Office.^[2] He worked in multi-agency teams combatting organised crime, corruption, and drug importations.^[4] He later served with the Sydney Joint Counter Terrorism Team.^[3] David was awarded two AFP Commissioner's Group Citations for Conspicuous Conduct for operations relating to terrorism, organised crime and corruption.^[4]

Saliba also served in the Australian Army Reserve for more than 19 years. He graduated from the part-time general service officer course at the Royal Military College, Duntroon and became an Infantry Captain with operational service in Australia and overseas.^[4]

Prior to politics, Saliba worked as a management consultant for KPMG Australia.^[4]

Saliba founded the Youth Pathways Network (YPN), a volunteer group aimed at reducing youth unemployment and crime in Western Sydney.^[5] He ran a mentoring program for young refugee students settling into Australia, the Say "No" to Crime Forum to help young people stay away from crime,^[6] HSC study sessions to help students enter university,^[5] and an online advice service for high school students about life after high school^[7] as well as assisting with resume drafting and job interviews.^[8] He also produced two resource booklets about employment skills and youth crime.^[8]

Saliba was also a Non-Executive Director at Community First Step Australia, a not-for-profit organisation providing services for community, childcare, youth and disabilities in Fairfield City.^[2]

Saliba was endorsed as the Labor candidate for the state seat of Fairfield at the 2023 New South Wales Election and was elected to represent the seat.^[9]