Mark Speakman

Mark Speakman
SC MP
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Cronulla
Assumed office
26 March 2011
Preceded by Malcolm Kerr
Majority 21.4 points (2015)
Minister for the Environment
Assumed office
2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Rob Stokes
Minister for Heritage
Assumed office
2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Rob Stokes
Assistant Minister for Planning
Assumed office
2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Rob Stokes
Personal details
Born (1959-11-06) 6 November 1959
Sydney
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) Caroline
Alma mater The University of Sydney
Cambridge University
Profession Barrister
Website Parliamentary webpage

Mark Raymond Speakman SC MP (born 6 November 1959), an Australian politician, is the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Heritage, and the Assistant Minister for Planning since April 2015 in the second Baird government.[1] Speakman is also a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Cronulla for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2011.[2]

Early years and background

Speakman attended government schools in Caringbah before studying law and economics at The University of Sydney and then Cambridge University where he graduated with a master's degree. A practising lawyer, he was appointed to the bar in 1991, and was made senior counsel in 2004.[3]

Political career

Preselected in November 2010, following announcement that the sitting member Malcolm Kerr would retire, Speakman overcame a challenge from Stephen Mutch, a former member for Cook.[4] At the 2011 state election, Speakman was elected with a swing of 9.4 per cent and won the seat with 75.5 per cent of the vote on a two party preferred basis.[5] Speakman's main opponent was Stefanie Jones, representing Labor. Premier O'Farrell considered immediately elevating Speakman to the ministry following the 2011 election;[6] however he was not appointed to the ministry until April 2015 when, following the 2015 state election, he was appointed as the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Heritage, and the Assistant Minister for Planning in the second Baird ministry.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Hasham, Nicole (3 April 2015). "Premier Mike Baird's new NSW cabinet sworn in: Gladys Berejiklian and Gabrielle Upton first female Treasurer and Attorney-General". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  2. "Mr Mark Raymond Speakman, MP". Members of Parliament. Parliament of New South Wales. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  3. "Lawyer is keen to give back". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Fairfax Media. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  4. Robins, Brian (15 November 2010). "NSW moderates make seat gains". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  5. Green, Antony (4 April 2011). "Cronulla". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  6. Salusinszky, Imre (4 April 2011). "O'Farrell vows to tackle PM on carbon tax". The Australian. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by
Malcolm Kerr
Member for Cronulla
2011 present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Rob Stokes
Minister for the Environment
2015 present
Incumbent
Minister for Heritage
2015 present
Incumbent
Assistant Minister for Planning
2015 present
Incumbent
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