Mr (Gareth) Gareth James Ward

Place of birth:

Port Kembla, NSW, Australia

Parliamentary activity

Information about members' parliamentary service including their positions held and biography.

Positions
PositionStartEndPeriodNotes
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Tue 02 April 2019Fri 14 May 20212 years 1 month 13 days
Parliamentary Secretary for Education and the Illawarra and South Coast Fri 24 March 2017Sat 23 March 20192 years
Parliamentary Secretary Wed 01 February 2017Fri 24 March 20171 month 24 daysParliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast
Parliamentary Secretary Fri 24 April 2015Mon 23 January 20171 year 9 monthsParliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast
Member, Standing Orders and Procedure Committee Wed 14 May 2014Fri 06 March 20159 months 21 days
Deputy Government Whip Tue 06 May 2014Thu 02 April 201510 months 28 days
Chair, Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Mon 19 August 2013Fri 06 March 20151 year 6 months 16 days
Member, Legislation Review Committee Thu 23 February 2012Wed 23 May 20123 months 1 day
Member, Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Wed 22 June 2011Mon 19 August 20132 years 1 month 29 daysElected Chair of the Committee on 19 August 2013 (see separate entry).
Temporary Speaker Fri 06 May 2011Wed 07 May 20143 years 2 days
Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly Sat 26 March 2011Fri 08 August 202514 years 4 months 14 days
Member for Kiama Sat 26 March 2011Fri 08 August 202514 years 4 months 14 days
Biography

Political party activity

Joined Shoalhaven Young Liberals in 1997 at age 16. 1998 - 1999 Treasurer, Shoalhaven Young Liberals. 1999 - 2000 Secretary, Shoalhaven Young Liberals. 2000 – 2009 President, Shoalhaven Young Liberals. 2000 - 2005 Secretary of the Gillmore FEC. 1999 - present Delegate, NSW Liberal Party State Council. 1999 - 2001 Member, Policy Committee of the NSW Young Liberals. 2000 - 2001 Rural and Regional Officer, NSW Young Liberals. 2001 - 2002 Membership Officer, NSW Young Liberals. 2002 - 2003 Political Officer, NSW Young Liberals. 2003 - 2005 Member, State Platform Committee of the NSW Liberal Party. 2007 - 2012 Country Representative, State Executive of the NSW Liberal Party. 2007 – 2012 Member, Rural and Regional Committee of the NSW Liberal Party. Life Member of the NSW Young Liberal Movement 2019 – present.

Community activity

Patron, Berry Red Cross 2008 - present. Patron. State Patron, University of Wollongong Liberal Club 2011 - present. Patron, Albion Park Show Society 2010 - present. Patron, Berry Show Society 2011 - present. Member, Bomaderry Bowling Club. Patron, Kiama U3A 2011 - present. Patron, Nowra Players 2011 - present. Patron, Shoalhaven Historical Society 2011 - present. Patron, Kiama and District Historical Society 2011 - present. Patron, Shoalhaven Rugby Club 2011 - present. Harold Ambassador, Life Education New South Wales 2011 - present. Honorary Patron, Noah's Ark Centre of Shoalhanven Inc 2011 - present. Patron, Albion Park Women's Hockey Club 2012 - present. Patron, The Roo Theatre Company 2012 - present. Secretary, Bipartisan Action Committee for Bravehearts 2012 - present. Patron, Peterborough Foundation Inc 2012 - present. Patron. Patron, Nowra Croquet Club Inc 2013 - present. Patron, Gerringong Bowling and Recreation Club 2013 - present. Honorary Member, Kiama Golf Club, 2014 - present. Patron, South Coast District Cricket Association 2016 - present. Chair, Parliamentary Friends of the European Union 2015 - present.

Local Government activity

2004 - 2012 Councillor, Shoalhaven City Council. September 2008 to August 2010 Deputy Mayor, Shoalhaven City Council.

Executive Member, NSW Local Government Association (2008-2011).

Mr Ward was a member of the One Association Taskforce responsible for merging the NSW Local Government Association and Shires Association in 2010.

Honours Received

In 2021, Mr Ward was appointed as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International for his services to the community and specifically the Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards.

Qualifications, occupations and interests

Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Commerce (University of Wollongong), Bachelors of Laws (University of New England), Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (Australian National University), Master of Laws (University of Sydney).
Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Solicitor of the High Court of Australia.
Member of the Law Society of NSW.
Interests include - golf, reading and work, work, work.

Additional information

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