Delezio says he`s prepared for politics

Charity boss and former father of the year Ron Delezio has launched his campaign to
win the federal seat of Banks, in Sydney's southwest.
But the 57-year-old was immediately forced to defend his credentials after
accusations from his Labor opponent, Daryl Melham, that the Liberal party was unable
to find a local candidate.
Mr Melham, who has held the seat for 20 years and currently has a 9.6 per cent
margin, said it was the second time the Liberals had put up a candidate for Banks
from outside the area.
"It's interesting that for the second election in a row the Liberal machine has been
unable to find a local to run against me," he told AAP on Tuesday.
"My family has lived locally for over 75 years."
Mr Melham said he intended to fight "a very clean campaign" and would not take the
seat for granted.
Mr Delezio responded by saying he grew up in the Banks electorate, still has family
living there and intends moving back as soon as possible.
"I feel I have a natural connection to the area," he told reporters.
Mr Delezio was thrust into the public spotlight after his daughter suffered
horrendous injuries in two serious car crashes.
In December 2003 she lost both feet and suffered burns when a car crashed into her
daycare centre at Balgowlah on Sydney's northern beaches.
In May 2006, she suffered more life-threatening injuries when she was hit by a car
on a northern Sydney pedestrian crossing.
She faces more amputations and other medical procedures in August.
But Mr Delezio said the ordeal meant he was prepared for life in federal politics.
"I've been told many times it's going to be a brutal battle," he said.
"I've been through a lot worse. When doctors ask you if you want to pull the plug on
your daughter's life twice in the first five days, I don't think anything could be
as bad as that."
He said health and hospitals would be among his key concerns.
Improving transport and the lives of ordinary Australians were others.
But he conceded, he has a tough job overturning Labor's grip on the seat.
The Liberal candidate, who runs a charitable foundation dedicated to his daughter
and was named Australian father of the year in 2006, said his children were very
excited about his potential new job.
"They kept wanting to tell everyone that walked through the front door. They're
walking round the house saying `dad for prime minister'. I said `easy on kids!'"