News

About Jonathan

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

Jonathan lives in Lindfield with his wife Jacqueline and their four young children. He is actively involved with local church, school, sporting, charity and other community groups.

Jonathan was educated at St Aloysius' College and St Ignatius' College. He has two Bachelor degrees (Arts & Law) and two Masters degrees (Law & MBA).

During his studies Jonathan was Vice-President of the Sydney University Student Representative Council and a Mitsui Foundation Scholarship winner.

Jonathan worked as a solicitor in private and corporate practice for 5 years before moving into commercial and management roles. He has run various niche financial services businesses as a senior executive or General Manager and was a non-executive board director with the private health insurer HCF for 14 years.

In addition to his commercial and management roles, Jonathan is a past North Sydney Local Government Councillor and Deputy Convenor of the Australian Classification Review Board. He has also provided honorary service on other not-for-profit boards.

At the NSW election on 24 March 2007, Jonathan was elected as the Member for Davidson. He was soon appointed to the Committee on the Independent Commission Against Corruption and later served as Opposition WasteWatch Co-ordinator. On 26 March 2011 Jonathan was re-elected as the Member for Davidson as part of a new Liberals-Nationals Government and now serves as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

Leaders of the Liberal Party - Past and Present

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

New South Wales Presidents

1949-50 Bill Spooner
1950-56 L Moore
1956-61 Robert Cotton
1961-62 Ralph Honner
1962-67 John Pagan
1967-69 Fred Osborne
1969-75 John Atwill
1975-76 Philip Sydney-Jones
1977-78 Kenneth Anderson
1978-82 David Patten
1982-85 John Valder
1985-87 Bronwyn Bishop
1987-88 Ron James
1988-92 Peter King
1992-93 Bevan Bradbury
1993-96 Bill Heffernan
1996-99 Michael Osborne
2000-05 Chris McDiven
2005- Geoff Selig

Young Liberal Presidents

1962-64 John Howard
1964-65 Jeffrey Kerby
1965-66 Graham Jones
1966-67 Philip Morgan
1968-71 Warren McCullagh
1971-72 Philip Ruddock
1972-74 Peter Fitzgibbon
1974-76 Chris Puplick
1976-78 Neil Hansford
1978-79 Jim Carey
1979-80 Robert Nestdale
1980-82 David Minty
1982-84 Christopher Crawford
1984-85 Michael Photios
1985-86 Andrew Kirk
1986-87 Catherine Cusack
1988-90 Marise Payne
1990-91 Donald Harwin
1991-92 Joseph Hockey
1992-93 Trent Zimmerman
1993-94 John Brogden
1994-95 Shane Mallard
1995-96 Jason Falinski
1996-97 Andrew Maiden
1997-98 Gladys Berejiklian
1998-99 Jason Collins
1999-00 Tony Chappel
2000-01 Andrew Constance
2001-02 Ben Franklin
2002-05 Alexander Hawke
2005 Natasha Maclaren
2005- Noel McCoy

Leaders of the New South Wales Liberal Party

1945 Reginald Weaver
1945-46 Alexander Mair
1946-54 Vernon Treatt
1954-55 Murray Robson
1955-59 Pat Morton
1959-75 Robert Askin
1975-76 Tom Lewis
1976-77 Eric Willis
1977-78 Peter Coleman
1978-81 John Mason
1981 Bruce McDonald
1981-83 John Dowd
1983-92 Nick Greiner
1992-95 John Fahey
1995-98 Peter Collins
1998-02 Kerry Chikarovski
2002-05 John Brogden
2005- Peter Debnam

Leaders of the Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party

1944-66 Robert Menzies
1966-67 Harold Holt
1967-71 John Gorton
1971-72 William McMahon
1972-74 Billy Snedden
1975-83 Malcolm Fraser
1983-85 Andrew Peacock
1985-89 John Howard
1989-90 Andrew Peacock
1990-94 Dr. John Hewson
1994-95 Alexander Downer
1995- John Howard

Women’s Council

1947      Mrs Shortland
              Eileen Furley
1963-67 Phil Jackson
              Thelma Bates
1971-74 Pam Mitchell
1974-79 Maureen Giddings
1979-83 Betty Combe
1983-88 Betty Grant
1988-91 Marie Wood
1991-96 Chris McDiven
1996-00 Judy Hopwood
2000-03 Robyn Parker
2003-05 Mary O'Dea
2005- Helen Wayland

New South Wales State Directors

1947-71 John Carrick
1971-77 Jim Carlton
1978-81 Greg Bartels
1982-85 Stephen Litchfield
1986-88 Graeme Starr
1989-90 Peter Kidman
1990-92 Robert Maher
1992-95 Barry O’Farrell
1996-97 Tony Nutt
1997 John Burston
1997-00 Remo Nogaratto
2000-05 Scott Morrison
2005- Graham Jaeschke

Our Structure

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

The Liberal Party of Australia New South Wales Division was created to provide members with the greatest possible influence and interaction over both the policy and activities of the Party.

Our Achievements for NSW

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

The first New South Wales Liberal/Country Government was elected to office on 1 May 1965 under the leadership of Sir Robert Askin. The New South Wales Liberal/National Coalition was re-elected to government in three successive State elections and remained in government until 1 May 1976. Sir Robert Askin retired on 3 January 1975. The following Premiers of the New South Wales Liberal/Country Government were Tom Lewis and then Eric Willis. Under the premiership of these individuals, the Liberal Government progressed in a variety of activities, including:

The introduction of Australia's first pollution control legislation.
Australia's first consumer protection legislation.
The construction of the Eastern Suburbs Railway.
The establishment of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The establishment of the NSW Law Reform Commission.
Completion of the Sydney Opera House.
The establishment of the first Women's Advisory Board and Ethnic Affairs Bureau.
The abolition of death duties.
Free school transport.
The introduction of Colleges of Advanced Education.
The introduction of four weeks annual leave.

The second New South Wales Liberal/National Government was elected to office on 19 March 1988 under the leadership of Nick Greiner. With the resignation of Premier Nick Greiner on 24 June 1992, John Fahey was elected to the premiership. The Greiner and Fahey Governments presided over a period of substantial structural reform that traversed industrial relations, State finances and micro-economic reform in many State utilities. Some of the achievements of the Greiner and Fahey Governments include:

Selective High Schools.
Last payment on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The successful bid for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The Parramatta River Cat.
The appointment of the first Minister for the Status of Women.
The launch of the New South Wales Senior's Card.
The establishment of the Office of Ageing and the Senior's Media Network to combat negative stereotypes about ageing.
The abolition of compulsory retirement.
The passage of the Disability Services Act to guarantee the rights of all disabled people in New South Wales.
The establishment of the Environment Protection Authority to protect and improve the State's environment.

Achievements of the Howard Government (1996 – )

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

The Howard Government inherited an economy suffering from high government debt, a Budget in deficit, high unemployment, and one where inflation and interest rates had risen to unacceptable levels.

Initiatives of the period:

Responsible Economic Management

Over 800,000 new jobs created since March 1996;
Unemployment has fallen to a ten year low of 6.3 per cent;
Home loan interest rates down from 17 per cent in the late 1980s to around 8 per cent today;
By June next year $50 billion out of a $96 billion Government debt will have been repaid – the debt interest bill has been reduced by $3 billion;
The new tax system delivered the largest income tax cut in Australia’s history so that 4 in every 5 taxpayers pay a top tax rate of 30 cents in the dollar or less; and
An extra $2.4 billion in family benefits and child care assistance.

Work for the Dole

2,000 Work for the Dole projects have begun providing places for over 70,000 young Australians.

Cracking Down on Welfare Cheats

Tightening welfare and targeting welfare cheats is saving decent taxpayers over $2 million a day.

Tough on Drugs

The $500 million Tough on Drugs Programme is the largest single initiative ever undertaken in this country to tackle the drug problem.

Fairer Workplaces

The Government has seen the lowest level of strikes since 1913; and
Compulsory unionism outlawed.

Education and Training

The National Literacy Plan to improve basic skills for children to read, write, add and subtract; and
New apprenticeships at an all time high with 268,000 young Australians in training.

Better Health Care

Parents rewarded for taking personal responsibility for their family’s health care with the 30 per cent private health insurance rebate; and
To cut waiting lists and to improve public hospitals State health funding has been increased by 25 per cent in 5 years.

Country Australia

Up to 500 rural transaction centres to restore country services including banking;
Rural health package to open regional health centres and encourage doctors back to regional areas;
Diesel costs down 24 cents a litre for heavy road transport in regional Australia; and
Black spots programme to improve country roads.

Older Australians

Pensions up 4 per cent and guaranteed to stay above the cost of living;
Gold Card extended to Australian World War II veterans 70 years or over with qualifying service; and
Provisional tax abolished and capital gains tax relief provided.

Achievements of the Fraser Government (1975 – 1983)

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

The Fraser Government faced difficult economic times: the aftermath of the world oil shock; record-breaking droughts; unsettled world markets and the legacy of the profligate Labor Government under Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Initiatives of the period:

introduction of far-reaching new Federalism programmes
large scale new development projects (roads, dams, etc)
focus on conservation, the environment and development of national parks
new developments in the social security area, led by the new family allowance scheme
involvement on the world’s stage such as the instigation of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting, CHOGRM, facilitating the emergence of Zimbabwe and playing a leading role in the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees
major new developments in the wages and industrial relations areas
focus on assistance with employment schemes and encouraging employment growth
new mineral resources found and developed
assistance given to sportsmen to help them compete more effectively at world level
primary producers helped through the most severe drought ever
succession of programmes introduced to assist businesses both large and small
introduction of family allowance providing direct help for mothers and families
family income supplement introduced
lone fathers’ benefit introduced
means test on pensions replaced by simpler income test
automatic indexation of pensions
new pensioner housing scheme introduced
abolition of estate and gift duties
establishment of Office of Child Care
progressive legal reforms with introduction of Ombudsman, National Companies and Securities Commission, Human Rights Commission, Freedom of Information legislation
ratification of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
prohibition of sand mining on Fraser Island
whaling banned in Australian waters
declaration of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
five properties placed on the World Heritage List (Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu, Wilandra Lakes, Lord Howe Island and South West Tasmania)
Northern Territory given self government and land rights granted there
agreement reached with States to restore their powers in territorial seas and to establish joint authorities for mining, fishing, etc in off-shore areas and beyond
States and local government given permanent and guaranteed shares of personal income tax collections
National Women’s Advisory Council established
establishment of Institute of Multicultural Affairs
establishment of Special Broadcasting System (SBS) with special television and radio programmes
nuclear safeguards agreement negotiated with ten nations
introduction of child migrant education programme
introduction of import parity oil pricing as a means of conserving existing supplies and encourage exploration
Office of Youth Affairs and Institute of Family Studies set up to address family issues
National Youth Advisory Group established
began SYETP (Youth Training), school to work transition programme, programme for unemployed youth, youth employment task force, relocation assistance scheme and the Job Bank computer system as a means of helping young people
established commercial FM radio
established Australian Institute of Sport
established Sport Development Programme, National Athlete Award Scheme, National Committee on Sport and Recreation for the Disabled
established a number of bodies (eg National Aboriginal Conference) to further the cause of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders
introduced income equalisation deposits as a self-help aid to primary producers to assist them in times of drought, etc
more referendum questions carried under the Fraser Government (3) than under any other government

Achievements of the Holt/Gorton/McMahon Era (1966-1972)

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

Prime Minister Robert Menzies retired on the 20th January 1966. For the next six years the Liberal/National Government was led by Prime Ministers Harold Holt, John Gorton and William McMahon.

In this period, the advances of the Menzies period were consolidated and the Liberal Governments moved ahead in the areas of traditional Liberal concern – health, education and welfare.

The period is significant for a number of reasons, including foreign policy and defence initiatives, commitment to the aboriginal people and involvement with the rapidly changing world of technology, energy conservation and the environment.

Initiatives of the period:

over half the existing homes in Australia were constructed since 1949
urban and regional development programmes begun
introduction of Department of Education and Science to take account of new technology
support for water conservation projects
emphasis on development of Northern Australia with new railways, roads and ports and continued funding for beef roads
rapid expansion and support for tourist industry
continuation of full employment, high growth rates, exports doubled over the decade to 1969, and the work force rose over a million in the same period
continuation of beneficial social security policies (eg assistance to sheltered workshops, handicapped schools, etc) and health policies (eg grants to facilitate home nursing care)
continuation of the heavy migration programme and provision of services (eg English language courses) for new citizens
initiatives in the fields of the Arts (eg established the Australian Council for Arts and the Australian Film and Television Corporation)
increased grants for Aboriginal programmes
establishment of energy advisory and environmental bodies
new teacher training colleges funded
expansion of assistance to secondary schools for science laboratories
social service benefits provided to mentally retarded
assistance to deserted wives introduced
assistance scheme for pensioners wanting hearing aids introduced
Aboriginal Affairs Office established along with Council for Aboriginal Affairs
legislation introduced to protect against unfair corporate takeover activity
established Institute of Marine Science
assistance to institutions training handicapped people
Meals on Wheels assisted
introduction of language courses for migrants
aid for the establishment of Ord River Scheme
established twelve mile fishing zone
carriage of the referendum allowing aboriginals to be regarded as full citizens
Gordon River irrigation and conservation
funding of housing support for young widows scheme
established Bureau of Transport Economics in order to analyse costs of transport facilities

Achievements of the Menzies Era (1949-1966)

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

In 1949 the Liberals, in coalition with the Country Party, were first elected to national government. Sir Robert Menzies went on to lead Australia and the Liberal Party for 17 years, before he retired from politics in 1966. The Menzies period is recognised as a "golden era" in Australia’s history with widespread prosperity, a flourishing economy and work for all.

Initiatives of this period:

high living standards for all Australians and the level of consumer goods per head (cars, radios etc) rose dramatically
the ratio of home owners rose from little over 50% to around 75% of the population in a decade
great progress in industry, manufacturing output, primary industry production and mineral development
Australia achieved a position in the world’s top ten trading nations
consistent spending on defence programmes
the arrival of 1 ¼ million immigrants in ten years
introduction of a succession of social security measures such as creating the pensioner medical and free medicines service
expansion of support for education programmes
introduction of needed improvements such as the national divorce laws
the introduction of child endowment for the first child
free medical treatment for pensioners and dependants
free milk to school children
abolished the land and entertainment tax
introduced Medical Benefits Scheme, and introduce free "life-saving" drugs for the needy
negotiations with respect to the ANZUS treaty, to join Australia, New Zealand and the United States in a defence alliance pact
negotiations with respect to the South East Asian Treaty Organisation, SEATO
promoter of Columbo Plan assisting South East Asian nations
reciprocity in social security with United Kingdom
encouraged growth of Canberra as a national capital
introduced Homes for Aged Scheme
introduced capital grants to mental hospitals and aid for teaching hospitals
tax deductions introduced for school fees and allied expenditure
introduced National Health Scheme based on self-help, providing cover for all citizens
voted in the international forum to restrict nuclear
completed rail standardisation between Sydney and Melbourne and funded other standardisation works
completed dams including Chowilla Dam in SA and Blowering Dam in NSW
tax concessions introduced for married pensioners
development of Beef Roads Scheme to develop inland Australia
special grants introduced for anti-tuberculosis campaigns
introduced Department of Housing, Home Savings Grants Scheme and Housing Loans Insurance Corporation to help more Australians own their own home
establishment of sheltered workshops
introduced Aged Pensioners Home Assistance Scheme
introduced invalid pensions
established Australian Universities Commission
introduction of Commonwealth scholarships for secondary schools as means of introducing State Aid to all schools
Funding for Colleges of Advanced Education

Our Achievements for Australia

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

Since its formation in late 1944, the Liberal Party has governed Australia for more than 30 years, as well as holding power in all States for varying periods.

The Liberal Party has become Australia’s most successful post war party; it was elected to Government for 23 years from 1949 to 1972, and for another term of more than seven years from 1975 to 1983.

In 1996, the Australian people elected the Liberal Party to govern Australia again, in coalition with the National Party of Australia, in a landslide win. In 1998, 2001 and 2004 that government was re-elected.

To offer a list of major achievements is a most difficult exercise and the material provided in this section represents only a small proportion of the achievements. The complexity of a modern government is such that the full details of even a single department would be immense.