Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has welcomed his nomination by Premier Gladys Berejiklian as Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly.
The Davidson MP will become the 40th Speaker of the House once his appointment is ratified by the Chamber when the 57th Parliament first sits in May.
Administratively, the Speaker is responsible, in conjunction with the President of the Legislative Council, for the overall direction of the Parliament and, with the advice and assistance of the Clerk, for the operation of the Department of the Legislative Assembly.
The Speaker’s duties include chairing the Legislative Assembly and representing it on official occasions, such as commemorative services, as well as meeting inter-parliamentary delegations, Heads of State, dignitaries and foreign officials.
Mr O’Dea was first elected as the Member for Davidson in 2007 and in the latest poll secured 76% of the vote, two party preferred. This makes it the safest Liberal seat in NSW.
“As Speaker, I will continue to work hard for all local constituents and appreciate their faith in me.”
Jonathan brings a wealth of experience to Parliament including working as a lawyer in private and corporate practice, and in senior management roles. He has run various niche financial services businesses and was a non-executive board director of a health insurance company with more than $2 billion turnover.
When the NSW Liberal/Nationals were elected to government in 2011, Jonathan was appointed Chair of the NSW Public Accounts Committee, serving until 2015.
Jonathan then served as Parliamentary Secretary for Major Events and Tourism, Trade and Investment before most recently serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Treasurer.
