Paul Lynch (politician)

Paul Gerard Lynch, an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Liverpool for the Labor Party from 1995 until 2023.

Paul Lynch
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Liverpool
In office
25 March 1995 – 3 March 2023
Preceded byPeter Anderson
Succeeded byCharishma Kaliyanda
Ministerial offices 2007–⁠2011
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
In office
2 April 2007 – 28 March 2011
PremierMorris Iemma
Nathan Rees
Kristina Keneally
Preceded byReba Meagher
Succeeded byVictor Dominello
Minister for Commerce, Energy, Industrial Relations and Public Sector Reform
In office
21 May 2010 – 28 March 2011
PremierKristina Keneally
Preceded byJohn Robertson
Succeeded byGreg Pearce (as Minister for Finance)
Chris Hartcher (as Minister for Energy and Resources)
Minister for Ageing and Disability Services
In office
8 September 2008 – 21 May 2010
PremierNathan Rees
Kristina Keneally
Preceded byKristina Keneally
Succeeded byPeter Primrose
Minister for Local Government
In office
2 April 2007 – 5 September 2008
PremierMorris Iemma
Preceded byKerry Hickey
Succeeded byBarbara Perry
Personal details
Born
Paul Gerard Lynch

1954 or 1955 (age 69–70)[1]
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLabor Party
ProfessionSolicitor

Early career and background edit

Lynch graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a LLB and was elected as a Councillor on Liverpool City Council in 1987 until his election to NSW Parliament in 1995. During this period he served as Deputy Mayor and served on the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils.[2] Lynch originally ran for Labor Party preselection for Liverpool in 1989, but was defeated by Peter Anderson. A prominent member of the party's left-wing faction, Lynch gained his revenge on the right-wing Anderson when Anderson failed to cement support amongst his local party members and lost party pre-selection.[3]

He is the brother in-law of former federal members of parliament Laurie Ferguson and Martin Ferguson.

Parliamentary career edit

Government edit

Elected to NSW Parliament in 1995, he was Temporary Chairman of Committees and Chair of the Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman and Police Integrity Commission. Lynch was re-elected on 24 March 2007 and was appointed Minister for Local Government, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) in the Iemma ministry.[2] With the appointment of Nathan Rees as premier, he became the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. In the Keneally ministry, Lynch retained the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio, and took on responsibility for Industrial Relations, Commerce, Energy, and Public Sector Reform.

Opposition edit

Following the Labor's loss at the 2011 state election, Lynch was appointed to the John Robertson shadow ministry as Shadow Attorney General and Shadow Minister for Justice. He retained these positions in the shadow Ministry of Luke Foley. After the 2015 New South Wales state election, Lynch retained his position as Shadow Attorney General but was succeeded as Shadow Minister for Justice by Jodi McKay. He continued to retain this position in the Shadow ministries of Michael Daley and Jodi McKay but was not appointed to the Shadow Ministry of Chris Minns in 2021. He retired at the 2023 New South Wales state election less than two years later.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Kontos, Eric (29 January 2019). "The rise and rise of independents". South West Voice.
  2. ^ a b c "Mr Paul Gerard Lynch, MP". Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  3. ^ Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Liverpool". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 July 2011.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Liverpool
1995–2023
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
2007–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Commerce, Energy, Industrial Relations and Public Sector Reform
2010–2011
Succeeded byas Minister for Finance
Succeeded byas Minister for Energy and Resources
Preceded by Minister for Ageing and Disability Services
2008–2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Local Government
2007–2008
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health)
2007–2008