About the Newcastle Electorate
Provincial. Residential suburban, industrial. Located within Hunter Statistical Agricultural Subdivision.
Principal centres: Adamstown, Bar Beach, Broadmeadow, Carrington, Cooks Hill, Fern Bay, Fullerton Cove, Georgetown, Hamilton, Hamilton East, Hamilton North, Hamilton South, Hexham, Islington, Lambton, Maryville, Mayfield, Mayfield East, Mayfield North, Mayfield West, Merewether, Merewether Heights, New Lambton, Newcastle, Newcastle East, Newcastle West, Sandgate, Stockton, The Hill, The Junction, Tighes Hill, Warabrook, Waratah, Wickham, Williamtown.
Area: 121.22 sq km.
Population: 68,748. Enrolment: 59,267.
Biography
Political Party Activity
First joined the Australian Labor Party in 1993. Served as secretary of Mount Hutton Branch, Wickham Branch, Newcastle LGC, Newcastle SEC. President of Newcastle LGC. State Conference delegate, State Policy Committee member. Elected Labor Councillor on Newcastle City Council for two terms. Currently Chairman of the State Parliamentary Labor Caucus.
Community Activity
Patron of Newcastle Justices of the Peace, Hillcrest Tennis Club, and Young Peoples Theatre Newcastle. Former board member of Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Northern Settlement Services. Chairman of the Throsby Creek Government Agencies Committee. Member of the Public Service Association. Member of the Newcastle Jets and Newcastle Knights.
Local Government Activity
Personal
Married with four children.
Qualifications, Occupations and Interests
Intermediate and Advanced Industrial Law Certificates, Bachelor of Business (Marketing) Charles Sturt University, Master of International Studies Sydney University.
President of Charles Sturt University Students Association, Clerk Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), Department of Community Services Disability Support Worker, Environmental Education Centre Indonesia, Electorate Officer to Tanya Plibersek MP, Allan Morris MP and Sharon Grierson MP, Communications Manager Mine Safety, Senior Policy Officer NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council, Principal Policy Officer NSW Mine Safety, Councillor Newcastle City Council.
Interests include – surfing, running, football, rugby league, bike riding, camping, reading, music and art.
Additional Information
Inaugural Speech, 13 November 2014: