Kerry Chikarovski

Kerry Anne Chikarovski (née Bartels; 4 April 1956) was the leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. She served as Leader of the Opposition between 1998 and 2002.

Early life and career

Chikarovski was educated at the Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College, in North Sydney. She is a lawyer by training, having studied at the University of Sydney and after a brief career in private practice, went on to lecture part-time at the College of Law before entering parliament.^[1]

Political career

Following the resignation of incumbent John Dowd, Chikarovski won pre-selection for the safe Liberal seat of Lane Cove in 1991, her primary competition for which was then MLC John Hannaford. In 1992, she was appointed Minister for Consumer Affairs and Assistant Minister for Education (3 July 1992 – 26 May 1993). In 1993, she became Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for The Status of Women (29 May 1993 – 4 April 1995). She replaced Bruce Baird as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in December 1994 and held that post until the Liberal Party was defeated in 1995.^[1]

On 8 December 1998^[1] she replaced Peter Collins as leader, but in 1999 she lost the state election to Labor Premier's Bob Carr in a landslide. John Brogden, a member of her shadow cabinet, successfully challenged her and replaced her as leader on 28 March 2002.^[2] At the March 2003 election she retired from parliament.^[1]

Later career

Chikarovski is currently a lobbyist, political commentator, and ambassador for several charities, including the YWCA Australia, The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.^[3][4] She is also chairperson of NSW Women's Rugby, and was the second woman appointed to the board of NSW Rugby Union.^[5]

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