Lavish $500K Lamborghini lifestyle shatters cost-of-living liberal candidate's image
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When financial challenges are a key concern, it's common for political candidates to align with the struggles of everyday people, often promising to ease burdens and improve lives.
However, questions can arise about the authenticity of these promises, especially when personal lifestyles seem at odds with public images.
This situation has engulfed Liberal candidate Mira D'Silva, who has been campaigning hard on cost-of-living issues, even making appearances at Salvation Army op shops to highlight growing financial pressure.
'I visited Salvation Army earlier this week, and had the chance to speak with some incredible people who came in seeking support. Their stories were honest and heartfelt—many spoke about how much harder life has become,' Ms D'Silva said.
'Rising cost of living, lack of proper infrastructure, pressure on our schools and education system falling behind global standards, and the ever-increasing price of groceries — these are real challenges faced daily by families in our community.'
Yet behind curated campaign moments, Ms D'Silva and her husband, Pani Kersarla, live a very different life—one built on successful tech ventures with clients like Google and ANZ.
Their lifestyle includes ownership of a Lamborghini Huracan, a Tesla Model X with personalised plates, and domestic help to handle daily tasks
'To reward themselves for their success, Mira and Pani have just bought a Lamborghini,' a 2018 magazine profile noted.
Ms D'Silva openly admitted she does not cook at home.
'My husband is very fond of outsourcing—and I believe the best person for the job should do it. So I don't cook at home—I get tiffin services,' she said.
'It wasn't that we can't do the [domestic] work; it's just it is too time-consuming. I could be sitting at home taking off cobwebs, but then I wouldn't be doing my work where I can feed other people.'
Despite this affluent backdrop, Ms D'Silva posted a campaign video earlier this week showing herself filling up an old Toyota Corolla, a move seen by some as an attempt to appear more relatable.
'From rising crime to spiralling cost of living, Labor has neglected the West,' she said during the staged video.
Her social media strategy has blended migrant pride with Liberal Party loyalty, often featuring her migrant story and photos with former Prime Minister John Howard.
'When I arrived in Australia 20 years ago, John Howard was leading the nation,' she posted.
'As I searched for job opportunities, I often listened to him on TV, articulating his vision for Australia — a moment that first sparked my interest in the Liberal Party.'
However, her online presence has also drawn criticism. Posts linked to her criticised Labor’s immigration levels and foreign policy, with some messages suggesting Australia's security had been endangered.
'Anthony Albanese's reckless foreign policy dragging Australia into a dangerous conflict,' one now-deleted post read after Albanese’s meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
It was reported that Ms D'Silva was not managing every page under her name, adding layers to an already complicated public image.
While financial success is not inherently disqualifying, optics matter.
Voters grappling with skyrocketing bills may question whether a Lamborghini-driving candidate truly understands day-to-day struggles.
It leaves a lingering question—can someone living a life of luxury genuinely champion cost-of-living relief?
What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you believe that a candidate's personal wealth and lifestyle should be a factor in their ability to represent the interests of their constituents, especially on issues like the cost-of-living crisis? Share your insights and experiences in the comments below.
However, questions can arise about the authenticity of these promises, especially when personal lifestyles seem at odds with public images.
This situation has engulfed Liberal candidate Mira D'Silva, who has been campaigning hard on cost-of-living issues, even making appearances at Salvation Army op shops to highlight growing financial pressure.
'I visited Salvation Army earlier this week, and had the chance to speak with some incredible people who came in seeking support. Their stories were honest and heartfelt—many spoke about how much harder life has become,' Ms D'Silva said.
Luxury Lamborghini worth $500,000 owned by Liberal candidate Mira D'Silva, who is campaigning on cost-of-living issues. Credit: @panikersala / Instagram
Yet behind curated campaign moments, Ms D'Silva and her husband, Pani Kersarla, live a very different life—one built on successful tech ventures with clients like Google and ANZ.
Their lifestyle includes ownership of a Lamborghini Huracan, a Tesla Model X with personalised plates, and domestic help to handle daily tasks
'To reward themselves for their success, Mira and Pani have just bought a Lamborghini,' a 2018 magazine profile noted.
Ms D'Silva openly admitted she does not cook at home.
'My husband is very fond of outsourcing—and I believe the best person for the job should do it. So I don't cook at home—I get tiffin services,' she said.
'It wasn't that we can't do the [domestic] work; it's just it is too time-consuming. I could be sitting at home taking off cobwebs, but then I wouldn't be doing my work where I can feed other people.'
Despite this affluent backdrop, Ms D'Silva posted a campaign video earlier this week showing herself filling up an old Toyota Corolla, a move seen by some as an attempt to appear more relatable.
'From rising crime to spiralling cost of living, Labor has neglected the West,' she said during the staged video.
Her social media strategy has blended migrant pride with Liberal Party loyalty, often featuring her migrant story and photos with former Prime Minister John Howard.
'When I arrived in Australia 20 years ago, John Howard was leading the nation,' she posted.
'As I searched for job opportunities, I often listened to him on TV, articulating his vision for Australia — a moment that first sparked my interest in the Liberal Party.'
However, her online presence has also drawn criticism. Posts linked to her criticised Labor’s immigration levels and foreign policy, with some messages suggesting Australia's security had been endangered.
'Anthony Albanese's reckless foreign policy dragging Australia into a dangerous conflict,' one now-deleted post read after Albanese’s meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
It was reported that Ms D'Silva was not managing every page under her name, adding layers to an already complicated public image.
While financial success is not inherently disqualifying, optics matter.
Voters grappling with skyrocketing bills may question whether a Lamborghini-driving candidate truly understands day-to-day struggles.
It leaves a lingering question—can someone living a life of luxury genuinely champion cost-of-living relief?
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