David Elliott (politician)

David Elliott
MP
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Baulkham Hills
Assumed office
26 March 2011
Preceded by Wayne Merton
Majority 21.6 points (2015)
Minister for Emergency Services
Assumed office
2 April 2015
Preceded by Stuart Ayres (as Minister for Police and Emergency Services)
Minister for Corrections
Assumed office
2 April 2015
Preceded by Brad Hazzard (as Minister for Justice)
Minister for Veterans Affairs
Assumed office
2 April 2015
Preceded by Victor Dominello
Personal details
Born (1970-06-11) 11 June 1970
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) Nicole Elliott
Residence Kellyville
Alma mater University of Western Sydney
Royal Military College, Duntroon
University of New England
Charles Sturt University
Occupation Former chief executive officer
former army officer
Awards
Australian Service Medal
Website Parliamentary webpage
Military service
Allegiance Australia
Service/branch Australian Army
Years of service 1995–97;
2000
Rank Captain
Battles/wars Bougainville Peacekeeping Operation

David Andrew Elliott MP (born 11 June 1970), an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Baulkham Hills for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2011.[1] Elliott has served as the New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, the Minister for Corrections, and the Minister for Veterans Affairs since 2 April 2015 in the second Baird government.[2]

Early years and background

In 1995, Elliott joined the Australian Army and commenced his officer training at Royal Military College, Duntroon, attaining the rank of Captain in April 1997. Taking 18 months' leave, he worked as Press Secretary for the Hon. Peter Collins, QC MP who was elected NSW Leader of the Opposition following the 1995 state election. During 1999, Elliott was Director for the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy campaign against the referendum for Australia to become a republic;[1] for which he was awarded the Centenary Medal on 1 January 2001 for service to the constitutional reform debate.[3]

Returning to the Army in 2000, Elliott served in peace-keeping forces in Bouganville, Papua New Guinea and was awarded the Australian Service Medal. For the next four years, Elliott worked as state operations manager in St John Ambulance (NSW), before commencing as Executive Officer of the Australian Hotels Association, and later becoming Deputy chief executive officer. In 2008, Elliott became chief executive officer of the Civil Contractors Federation and held this position until his election to Parliament.[1]

Elliott has been a director of Castle Hill RSL Club Limited since 2009.[4] Elliott was a director of Life Education Australia between 2009 and 2011, and a member of Sydney Chamber of Commerce from 2008 to 2011.[1] Between 1992 and 2001, he has held a range of Liberal Party elected positions.[1]

Political career

On 16 June 2007, Elliott sought Liberal Party pre-selection for the federal seat of Mitchell, but lost by a margin of 20 votes to 81[5] against Alex Hawke, then an advisor to Ray Williams MP.[6] Paul Blanch, a grazier from Orange, received 8 votes. Alan Cadman, who had been the member for Mitchell since 1974, chose not to contest the pre-selection,[5] but was later quoted as saying that this was due to "relentless branch-stacking within the electorate."[7] In February 2010, Elliott unsuccessfully sought Liberal Party pre-selection for the Legislative Council of New South Wales in a bitter and public battle with David Clarke, a member of the Liberal's so called 'religious right' faction.[8][9]

Following the announcement of the retirement of sitting Liberal member, Wayne Merton, Elliott won party pre-selection, running against Baulkham Hills Councillor Mike Thomas and solicitor, Damien Tudehope.[10][11] At the 2011 election, Elliott was elected to the safe Liberal seat with a swing of 14.4 points and won the seat with 76.4 per cent of the two-party vote. Elliott's main opponent was Tony Hay, representing Labor.[12]

Following the 2015 state election, Elliott was sworn in as the Minister for Emergency Services, the Minister for Corrections, and the Minister for Veterans Affairs in the second Baird government.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mr David Andrew Elliott, BA, GradCertPubPol, MA MP". Members of the NSW Legislative Assembly. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  2. 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.
  3. "Elliott, David Andrew". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 1 January 2001. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  4. "Concise Report" (pdf). 2010 Castle Hill RSL Group Annual Report. Castle Hill RSL Club Limited. 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  5. 1 2 Clennell, Andrew (18 June 2007). "Age does not worry him, says Lib hopeful". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  6. "Hawke secures Liberal preselection for Mitchell". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 June 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  7. Maley, Paul; Salusinszky, Imre (24 September 2007). "Veteran Lib slams party's far right". The Australian. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  8. Snow, Deborah (15 February 2010). "Testing testing ... yes, these are testing times". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  9. Clennell, Andrew (20 February 2010). "Religious right chief defeats challenger". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  10. Jordan, Bev (1 June 2010). "Battle on for Lib seats". The Hills Shire Times. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  11. Jordan, Bev (12 September 2010). "David Elliott runs for Baulkham Hills". The Hills Shire Times. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  12. Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Baulkham Hills". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by
Wayne Merton
Member for Baulkham Hills
2011  present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Stuart Ayres
as Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Minister for Emergency Services
2015  present
Incumbent
Preceded by
Brad Hazzard
as Minister for Justice
Minister for Corrections
2015  present
Preceded by
Victor Dominello
Minister for Veterans Affairs
2015  present
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