Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)

Last updated

Leader of the Opposition
150225 MDCC Election Forum Mark Speakman (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Mark Speakman
since 21 April 2023
Term length While leader of the largest political party not in government
Inaugural holder Charles Lee
Salary A$309,621 [1]

The Leader of the Opposition is a title held by the leader of the second-largest party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament of New South Wales. [2] There is also a Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council. [3] The leader acts as the public face of the opposition, leading the opposition on the floor of parliament. They act as a chief critic of the government and ultimately attempt to portray the opposition as a feasible alternate government. They are also given certain additional rights under parliamentary standing orders, such as extended time limits for speeches.

Contents

List of leaders of the opposition in New South Wales since 1887

Political parties

   Labor    Liberal Party of Australia    Protectionist    Free Trade    Progressive    Liberal Reform Party    Labor (NSW)    Nationalist Party of Australia
   United Australia Party    Democratic Party    Country Party

Leaders of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly

No.NamePortraitPartyConstituencyTerm of officeTenureElectionsPremier
  Joseph Palmer Abbott Sir Joseph Palmer Abbott.jpg Protectionist Wentworth 9 March 188719 May 188771 days  Parkes
1887–1889
George Dibbs George Dibbs Federation Conference 1884.jpg Murrumbidgee 20 September 188716 January 18891 year, 118 days
  Sir Henry Parkes Henryparkes.jpg Free Trade St Leonards 17 January 18897 March 188949 days 1889   Dibbs
1889
  George Dibbs George Dibbs Federation Conference 1884.jpg Protectionist Murrumbidgee 8 March 188923 October 18912 years, 229 days  Parkes
1889–1891
  George Reid George Reid cph.3c31684.jpg Free Trade St Leonards 23 October 18912 August 18942 years, 283 days 1891
1894
  Dibbs
1891–1894
  Sir George Dibbs George Dibbs Federation Conference 1884.jpg Protectionist Murrumbidgee 3 August 18945 July 1895336 days 1895   Reid
1894–1899
William Lyne Williamlyne.jpg Hume 14 August 18956 October 18983 years, 53 days 1898
Edmund Barton Edmund Barton - Swiss Studios (b&w).jpg Hastings and Macleay 6 October 189823 August 1899321 days
William Lyne Williamlyne.jpg Hume 23 August 189913 September 189921 days
  George Reid George Reid cph.3c31684.jpg Free Trade Sydney-King 14 September 189923 March 19011 year, 190 days  Lyne
1899–1901
 1 Charles Lee CharlesAlfredLee.jpg Liberal Reform Tenterfield 23 March 190118 September 19021 year, 179 days 1901   See
1901–1904
 2 Joseph Carruthers Joseph Carruthers.png Liberal Reform St George 18 September 190230 August 19041 year, 347 days
1904   Waddell
1904
 3 James McGowen James McGowen Premier.png Labor Redfern 20 September 190421 October 19106 years, 31 days 1907   Carruthers
1904–1907
1910   Wade
1907–1910
 4 Charles Wade Wade Charles.gif Liberal Reform Gordon 21 October 191015 November 19166 years, 25 days  McGowen
1910–1913
1913   Holman
1913–1920
 5 Ernest Durack Ernest Durack, c1913.png Labor Bathurst 22 November 191619 February 191789 days 
 6 John Storey John Storey cropped.jpg Labor Balmain 22 February 191713 April 19203 years, 51 days 1917
1920
 7 George Fuller George fuller.jpg Nationalist Wollondilly 14 April 192013 April 19221 year, 364 days  Storey
1920–1921
1922   Dooley
1921–1922
 8 James Dooley JamesDooleySpeaker.jpg Labor Bathurst 20 April 19229 March 1923323 days  Fuller
1922–1925
 9 Greg McGirr J. J. G. (Greg) McGirr, c1917.png Labor Sydney 9 March 192316 April 192338 days
 10 Bill Dunn William Fraser Dunn, MP, c1920.png Labor Wammerawa 16 April 192331 July 1923106 days
 11 Jack Lang JackLang.jpg Labor Auburn 31 July 192317 June 19251 year, 321 days 1925
 (7) George Fuller George fuller.jpg Nationalist Wollondilly 23 June 192524 September 192593 days  Lang
1925–1927
 12 Thomas Bavin Tom Bavin 1932 (cropped).jpg Nationalist Ryde 24 September 192518 October 19272 years, 24 days 1927
 (11) Jack Lang JackLang.jpg Labor Auburn 18 October 19274 November 19303 years, 17 days 1930   Bavin
1927–1930
 (12) Thomas Bavin Tom Bavin 1932 (cropped).jpg Nationalist Gordon 25 November 19305 April 19321 year, 132 days  Lang
1930–1932
 
  United Australia
 13 Bertram Stevens Bertram Stevens.jpg United Australia Croydon 5 April 193213 May 193238 days 1932
 (11) Jack Lang JackLang.jpg Labor (NSW) Auburn 22 June 19325 September 19397 years, 75 days 1935   Stevens
1932–1939
  Labor 1938
  Mair
1939–1941
 14 William McKell Williammckell.jpg Labor Redfern 5 September 193916 May 19411 year, 253 days 1941
 15 Alexander Mair Alexander mair.jpg United Australia Albury 19 May 194110 February 19442 years, 267 days  McKell
1941–1947
  Democratic
 16 Reginald Weaver Weaver 1932.jpg Democratic Neutral Bay 10 February 194412 November 19451 year, 275 days 1944
  Liberal
 (15) Alexander Mair Alexander mair.jpg Liberal Albury 13 November 194520 March 1946127 days
 17 Vernon Treatt Vernon Treatt.jpg Liberal Woollahra 20 March 194610 August 19548 years, 143 days
1947   McGirr
1947–1952
1950
1953   Cahill
1952–1959
 18 Murray Robson Murray Robson.jpg Liberal Vaucluse 17 August 195420 September 19551 year, 34 days
 19 Pat Morton Pat Morton.jpg Liberal Mosman 20 September 195517 July 19593 years, 300 days 1956
1959
 20 Robert Askin Robert Askin 1966.jpg Liberal Collaroy 17 July 195913 May 19655 years, 300 days
1962   Heffron
1959–1964
1965   Renshaw
1964–1965
 21 Jack Renshaw Jack Renshaw.png Labor Castlereagh 14 May 196523 July 19683 years, 70 days 1968   Askin
1965–1975
 22 Pat Hills Pat Hills.jpg Labor Phillip 30 July 19683 December 19735 years, 126 days 1971
1973
 23 Neville Wran Neville Wran CNZM (cropped).jpg Labor Bass Hill 3 December 197314 May 19762 years, 163 days
  Lewis
1975–1976
1976   Willis
1976
 24 Eric Willis Sir Eric.jpg Liberal Earlwood 15 May 197616 December 19771 year, 215 days  Wran
1976–1986
 25 Peter Coleman Peter Coleman, June 2012, His Home (cropped).jpg Liberal Fuller 16 December 19777 October 1978295 days 1978
 26 John Mason No image.png Liberal Dubbo 24 October 197829 May 19812 years, 217 days
 27 Bruce McDonald No image.png Liberal Kirribilli 1 June 198112 October 1981133 days 1981
 28 John Dowd No image.png Liberal Lane Cove 27 October 198115 March 19831 year, 139 days
 29 Nick Greiner Nick Greiner.jpg Liberal Ku-ring-gai 15 March 198325 March 19885 years, 10 days 1984
1988   Unsworth
1986–1988
 30 Bob Carr Bob Carr.jpg Labor Maroubra 6 April 19884 April 19956 years, 363 days 1991   Greiner
1988–1992
1995   Fahey
1992–1995
 31 Peter Collins No image.png Liberal Willoughby 4 April 19957 December 19983 years, 247 days  Carr
1995–2005
 32 Kerry Chikarovski Kerry Chikarovski.jpg Liberal Lane Cove 7 December 199828 March 20023 years, 111 days 1999
 33 John Brogden John Brogden office Sydney.jpg Liberal Pittwater 28 March 20021 September 20053 years, 157 days 2003
  Iemma
2005–2008
 34 Peter Debnam PeterDebnamAtANZACCeremonySydney26042006.jpg Liberal Vaucluse 1 September 20054 April 20071 year, 215 days 2007
 35 Barry O'Farrell Premier Barry O'Farrell - Flickr - Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer.jpg Liberal Ku-ring-gai 4 April 200728 March 20113 years, 358 days
  Rees
2008–2009
2011   Keneally
2009–2011
 36 John Robertson Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, John Robertson, addressing attendees at the Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards (2)-crop.jpg Labor Blacktown 31 March 201123 December 20143 years, 267 days  O'Farrell
2011–2014
  Baird
2014–2017
 37 Luke Foley Luke Foley - June 2014 (cropped).jpg Labor Legislative Council
Auburn
5 January 20158 November 20183 years, 307 days 2015
  Berejiklian
2017–2021
 38 Michael Daley No image.png Labor Maroubra 10 November 201825 March 2019135 days 2019
 39 Jodi McKay No image.png Labor Strathfield 29 June 201928 May 20211 year, 333 days
 40 Chris Minns Chris Minns MP (cropped).png Labor Kogarah 4 June 202128 March 20231 year, 297 days 2023
  Perrottet
2021–2023
 41 Mark Speakman 150225 MDCC Election Forum Mark Speakman (cropped).jpg Liberal Cronulla 21 April 2023Incumbent345 days  Minns
2023–
Source:Parliament of New South Wales. [2]

Leaders of the Opposition in the Legislative Council

No.NamePortraitPartyTerm of officeTenure
 1 Sir Henry Manning [lower-alpha 1] Sir Henry Manning 1947.jpg United Australia 16 May 194122 April 195816 years, 341 days
  Democratic
  Liberal
 2 Hector Clayton No image.png Liberal 12 April 196030 October 19622 years, 201 days
 3 Arthur Bridges Arthur Dalgety Bridges, MLC, c1954.png Liberal 30 October 196213 May 19652 years, 195 days
 4 Reg Downing Reg Downing 1941.jpg Labor 13 May 19654 February 19726 years, 267 days
 5 Neville Wran Neville Wran CNZM (cropped).jpg Labor 22 February 197219 October 19731 year, 239 days
 6 Leroy Serisier No image.png Labor 3 December 197313 May 19762 years, 162 days
 7 Sir John Fuller No image.png Country 14 May 19761 August 19782 years, 79 days
 8 Max Willis No image.png Liberal 1 August 197820 October 19813 years, 80 days
 9 Lloyd Lange No image.png Liberal 20 October 19813 April 19842 years, 166 days
 10 Ted Pickering No image.png Liberal 3 April 198424 March 19883 years, 356 days
 11 Jack Hallam No image.png Labor 6 April 19882 May 19913 years, 26 days
 12 Michael Egan No image.png Labor 2 July 19914 April 19953 years, 276 days
 13 John Hannaford No image.png Liberal 11 April 199531 March 19993 years, 354 days
 14 Mike Gallacher No image.png Liberal 31 March 19994 March 201111 years, 338 days
 15 Tony Kelly Tony Kelly.JPG Labor 8 April 20116 June 201159 days
 16 Luke Foley Luke Foley - June 2014 (cropped).jpg Labor 14 June 20118 April 20153 years, 298 days
 17 Adam Searle Adam Searle Conference 2015 (cropped).jpg Labor 8 April 20158 June 20216 years, 61 days
 18 Penny Sharpe Penny Sharpe MLC, Nov 2012.jpg Labor 8 June 202128 March 2023 1 year, 293 days
 19 Damien Tudehope Liberal 21 April 2023incumbent345 days
Source: Parliament of New South Wales. [3]

Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Deputy Leaders of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is a position in the New South Wales Parliament held by a second-largest political party or coalition member. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition assists the Leader of the Opposition in their duties and may act as the Leader of the Opposition if the position becomes vacant. The position was established in New South Wales in 1986, with Peter Collins becoming the first person to hold it in its formalised capacity. Before this, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was largely informal, with no clear mandate or responsibilities. [5]

No.NamePortraitPartyConstituencyTerm of officeTenure
 1 Peter Collins No image.png Liberal Willoughby
Middle Harbour
14 February 19862 February 19882 years, 8 days
 2 Andrew Refshauge No image.png Labor Marrickville 11 April 19884 April 19956 years, 358 days
 3 Ron Phillips No image.png Liberal Miranda 4 April 199527 March 19993 years, 357 days
 4 Barry O'Farrell Barry O'Farrell-crop.jpg Liberal Ku-ring-gai 31 March 199928 March 20022 years, 362 days
 5 Chris Hartcher Chris Hartcher 03-03-2010.jpg Liberal Gosford 28 March 20023 April 20031 year, 6 days
 (4) Barry O'Farrell Barry O'Farrell-crop.jpg Liberal Ku-ring-gai 3 April 20034 April 20074 years, 1 day
 6 Jillian Skinner Jillian Skinner at the Mosman International Women's Day Breakfast.jpg Liberal North Shore 4 April 200728 March 20113 years, 359 days
 7 Linda Burney Linda Burney MP.jpg Labor Canterbury 8 April 20117 March 20164 years, 334 days
 8 Michael Daley No image.png Labor Maroubra 7 March 201610 November 20182 years, 248 days
 9 Yasmin Catley No image.png Labor Swansea 2 July 201928 May 20211 year, 330 days
 10 Prue Car Prue car.jpg Labor Londonderry 8 June 202128 March 20231 year, 293 days
 11 Robyn Preston No image.png Liberal Hawkesbury 9 May 2023Incumbent327 days

Deputy Leaders of the Opposition in the Legislative Council

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council plays an important role in assisting the Leader of the Opposition in managing and leading the opposition party's activities in the upper house of the Parliament of New South Wales. The position of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council dates back to at least 1966, when James Maloney was formally recognized as the first Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council according to the Alphabetical Roll of Members from the Parliament of New South Wales. [6] Maloney served in the position from 31st March 1966 to 26th April 1971. Several individuals have filled the position since then. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council is specifically focused on supporting the opposition party's efforts, in contrast to the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, who assists the Leader of the Government in the Upper House. Despite not having a formally established date, the position of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council remains an important figure in NSW politics and an essential part of the opposition party's leadership team.

No.NamePortraitPartyTerm of officeTenure
 1 James Maloney No image.png Labor 31 March 196626 April 19715 years, 26 days
 2 Neville Wran Neville Wran Premier.jpg Labor 7 April 197121 February 1972320 days
 3 Edna Roper Edna Roper c1953.png Labor 3 December 197313 May 19762 years, 162 days
 4 Frederick Hewitt No image.png Liberal 14 May 19767 June 197624 days
 5 Bob Rowland Smith No image.png National 2 August 197824 March 19889 years, 235 days
 6 Deirdre Grusovin No image.png Labor 6 April 198831 May 19902 years, 55 days
 7 Bryan Vaughan No image.png Labor 1 June 19902 April 19954 years, 305 days
 8 Richard Bull No image.png National 11 April 19951 February 20004 years, 296 days
 9 Duncan Gay NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay speech at the Holbrook bypass open day (cropped).jpg National 1 February 20004 March 201111 years, 31 days
 10 Luke Foley Luke Foley - June 2014 (cropped).jpg Labor 8 April 201114 June 201167 days
 11 Adam Searle No image.png Labor 14 June 20116 March 20153 years, 265 days
 12 Walt Secord No image.png Labor 5 May 20152 July 20194 years, 58 days
 13 Penny Sharpe [lower-alpha 2] Penny Sharpe MLC, Nov 2012.jpg Labor 2 July 201914 May 20211 year, 316 days
 14 John Graham John Graham MLC.jpg Labor 8 June 202128 March 20231 year, 293 days
 15 Natalie Ward [lower-alpha 3] No image.png Liberal 21 April 2023Incumbent345 days

Notes

  1. Manning refused the role of 'official' Leader of the Opposition, when offered to him, owing to his beliefs in a non-partisan Legislative Council. Nevertheless he was considered by his colleagues as the de facto leader of the opposition members. [4]
  2. Also served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 2018–2019 under Daley.
  3. Also served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 8 May 2023 under Speakman.

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References

  1. "PARLIAMENTARY SALARIES AND ALLOWANCESAS FROM 1 JULY 2020. FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF PARLIAMENTARY REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL dated 7 July 2020" (PDF). Parliament of New South Wales . 7 July 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Leaders of the Opposition in the NSW Legislative Assembly, 1901–present". Parliament of New South Wales . Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Leaders of the Opposition in the NSW Legislative Council". Parliament of New South Wales . Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  4. Ward, John M. "Manning, Sir Henry Edward (1877–1963)". Australian Dictionary of Biography . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN   1833-7538 . Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  5. "Collins is new NSW deputy Opposition leader". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 February 1986. p. 4.
  6. Alphabetical Roll of Members of the Legislative Council of New South Wales from its reconstitution in 1934 until its reconstitution in 197. Sydney: Government Printer, [n.d.]. Accessed 23 April 2021.

See also