Sean L'Estrange

Sean L'Estrange (born 19 September 1967^[2]) is an Australian politician. He is the Member for the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of Churchlands. He is the Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Minister for Finance; and Minister for Small Business in the Liberal-National Government of Western Australia.

L’Estrange was born in Perth, Western Australia. He holds a Bachelor's Degree of Education (majoring in Economics), a Master's Degree of Educational Leadership, a Graduate Diploma of Resource Management, and a Graduate Diploma of Management (majoring in Defence Studies). He is also a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Command and Staff College.

Early life

L’Estrange completed his schooling at Aquinas College, Perth. While he was attending school at Aquinas, he was College Prefect, House Captain, College Swimming Captain, College Cross Country Captain, Army Cadet Under Officer, President of the Young Christian Students, a member of the College Debating Team and he performed in College drama productions. L'Estrange represented Western Australia at the National All Schools Cross Country Championships in Adelaide in 1982, Brisbane in 1984, and Perth in 1985 and was made the State Team Vice Captain in 1985. He was also a silver medalist in the WA Debating League State final. At his school graduation he was awarded the College Prize for Leadership and Service.

Career

Professional and business background

For six years before entering parliament L’Estrange established and operated a leadership and management consulting business which specialized in strategic planning, business resilience and recovery planning, leadership systems, executive coaching and leadership development. He worked with large resources sector companies, city and regional businesses, and Government departments. L'Estrange also has extensive experience in the Australian Defence Force as an Infantry Army Officer where he completed full-time (regular) and part-time (reserve) roles. Career highlights included reaching the rank of Colonel; Commanding a Reserve Infantry Regiment which trained and deployed soldiers for the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands; preparing and deploying troops for national security tasks; and himself deploying to Afghanistan as part of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force. In Afghanistan, he was the Australian Task Force Commander’s Operations Analyst to Uruzgan province; and posted in direct support of the Australian Battle Group led by the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment and the 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. Prior to Sean’s business and Senior Army Officer roles he also had a highly rewarding career as a Senior School Economics teacher and Head of an Academic Department. He worked in schools such as Christ Church Grammar School, Ursula Frayne and Mandurah Catholic Colleges, and Wesley College.

Politics

L’Estrange joined the Liberal Party of Western Australia in 2002 (Hackett Branch/Churchlands electorate). He held positions as President of Hackett Branch 2008-12; President of Curtin Division 2008-09; Member of State Executive 2008-09 and member of State Council 2008-2012.

In 2013 Sean was elected to the seat of Churchlands in the 39th Parliament of Western Australia. He has served as a member of the Joint Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Audit, and as member of the Parliamentary Liberal Party's Finance, Commerce & Development Committee. In March 2016, he was elevated to Cabinet and appointed Minister for Mines and Petroleum and Minister for Small Business. In September 2016 he was also appointed as Minister for Finance and to the Government Economic and Expenditure Reform Committee.

Honours and awards

L’Estrange has been awarded the following Australian Honours and awards: Returned from Active Service Badge; Army Combat Badge; Australian Active Service Medal with International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) Clasp; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Australian Defence Force Long Service Medal with 2 x Clasps; Australian Defence Force Medal; North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Medal with International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Clasp.

References