Meet the glamorous blonde DJ-turned political candidate fighting to ‘Keep Sydney Open’

A glamorous DJ turned political candidate will stand at the state election fighting to abolish Sydney’s controversial lockout laws.

North Shore resident and DJ Tori Levett, 23, is one of 63 candidates running for the Keep Sydney Open party in the upcoming New South Wales election on March 23.

The musically inclined Ms Levett took to Facebook on Monday to reveal how the lockout laws had impacted her career – and how she planned to enter politics. 

North Shore resident and DJ and producer Tori Levett is one of 63 candidates running in the upcoming New South Wales state election on Mach 23

Ms Levett (pictured) took to Facebook on Monday to reveal how the lockout laws had impacted her career and how she planned to vie for a seat

Ms Levett (pictured) took to Facebook on Monday to reveal how the lockout laws had impacted her career and how she planned to vie for a seat

‘I had just one year to experience my city without lockouts, and I’ve seen the awful destruction they’ve caused to nightlife, with 176 venues lost,’ Ms Levett wrote.

‘I’m a DJ and producer and I want my city to be the best place in the world to make, play and enjoy music, and I know it can be! Vote Keep Sydney Open on March 23rd.’ 

Ms Levett first made her name as a surfer, but then delved into the world of influencing on social media before making her mark as a DJ. 

The decision to move into politics came out of her passion for the music scene, which she says has taken a turn for the worse in recent years. 

‘I have been a supporter of Keep Sydney Open since I first saw [party founder] Tyson Koh posting about the lockouts,’ Ms Levett told Daily Mail Australia. 

The 23-year-old said Mr Koh reached out to her and asked her to be involved and speak at some of their rallies. She immediately said yes. 

‘The lock out laws and anti-festival regulations are something that directly affects everyone around me, artists, industry and music fans alike,’ she said. 

‘It’s very personal for me as both a music fan and performer.’ 

Keep Sydney Open Party board member Eoin Maher told Daily Mail Australia Ms Levett and the party’s other candidates are a representation of ‘what a city is’. 

Ms Levett said the decision to move into politics came out of her passion for the music scene, which she says has taken a turn for the worse in recent years

Ms Levett said the decision to move into politics came out of her passion for the music scene, which she says has taken a turn for the worse in recent years

‘Tori is a talented, well spoken, intelligent young lady, who represents a demographic that is absent in Australian government,’ Mr Maher said.  

Mr Maher said Keep Sydney Open has gone from a Sydney-based advocacy group to a statewide political party, with members from all walks of life. 

He said the impetus for the party was there were too many professional politicians in government, who begin their career at 16 and secure seats into their 40s and 50s.

‘Keep Sydney Open didn’t start as a group of politicians, but rather a set of problems that needed addressing, one of which was the lockout laws,’ he said.  

Ms Levett said the party represents hundreds of thousands of people with specific goals: ‘To open up nightlife, save music and culture, and tear up the nanny state’.

Ms Levett said Keep Sydney Open represents hundreds of thousands of people with specific goals: 'to open up nightlife, save music and culture, and tear up the nanny state'

Ms Levett said Keep Sydney Open represents hundreds of thousands of people with specific goals: ‘to open up nightlife, save music and culture, and tear up the nanny state’ 

Keep Sydney Open Party board member Eoin Maher told Daily Mail Australia Ms Levett (pictured) and the party's other candidates are a representation of 'what a city is'

Keep Sydney Open Party board member Eoin Maher told Daily Mail Australia Ms Levett (pictured) and the party’s other candidates are a representation of ‘what a city is’

Mr Maher said all of the candidates bring something different to the table, in regards to their professional backgrounds and interests in the arts, culture and music.

‘They (the candidates) are not white men in suites,’ he said.  

Among the other candidates is 36-year-old radio broadcaster James Wright from Ballina, who is opposing over-policing and unfair regulations that threaten the viability of large public events.

Tim Hansen from Orange is a passionate advocate for community arts and culture, particularly regarding opportunities young, emerging artists in rural areas.

Another candidate with a penchant for music is Camden’s Daniel Aragona, who is vying for a seat due to his love of music and culture and the important role it plays. 

Mr Maher said 'Tori (pictured), Dane, Dan and Tim have just as much right to talk about the government of their state as any other professional politician'

Mr Maher said ‘Tori (pictured), Dane, Dan and Tim have just as much right to talk about the government of their state as any other professional politician’

Manly local, Dane Murray, who has been involved with various start-up programs and sustainable projects, is another candidate vying for a seat.   

While the key aim of the party is to ‘Keep Sydney Open’, Mr Maher said it is also about showing the government cities are more than just highways and skyscrapers. 

‘We are more than a political party – we are a movement that has galvanised people who have lacked a voice, and now we’re here to disrupt the establishment,’ the party’s website states.  

Tori, Dane, Dan and Tim have just as much right to talk about the government of their state as any other professional politician, he said.  

Ms Levett said 176 venues have closed in Sydney since the introduction of lockout laws, and now the government is turning this statewide with their war on festivals.

‘If you care about music venues, festivals, nightlife and culture you have a chance to make it better by putting a number 1 in the Keep Sydney Open box,’ she said.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk