Andrew Humpherson
Encyclopedia
Andrew Humpherson, is a former Australia
n politician, elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
for Davidson
from 1992-2007.
where he became a member of the Student Council. He attended the University of New South Wales
where he graduated with honours in the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical).
Between 1986 and 1992 he was employed as an engineer and also a Territory Manager for Shell Australia
. Humpherson entered politics on 17 March 1987 as a Councillor on Warringah Shire Council
and was Deputy Shire President from 1991-1992 until he resigned on 30 May 1992, following his election to state parliament.
for the seat of Davidson
, at a May 1992 by-election
brought on by the resignation of former Education Minister and Liberal-turned-independent member Terry Metherell
, who resigned to take up a public service appointment offered by the Greiner government
. The Independent Commission Against Corruption then announced that this amounted to a corrupt attempt to have Davidson return to the Liberal Party, which had lost its parliamentary majority at the 1991 election
.
The independents who held the balance of power subsequently forced Greiner's resignation as Premier, and the ICAC's findings were overturned in the Supreme Court of New South Wales
. However Davidson returned to the Liberals, with Humpherson winning the by-election ahead of 14 other candidates, despite a 16.1 per cent swing against the Liberal Party.
As a backbencher, Humpherson served in various Parliamentary committees, until in 2000 when he was appointed as a Shadow Minister under Opposition Leader Kerry Chikarovski
. He held various shadow portfolios including Housing and Corrective Services (2000–2002), Planning and Environment (2002–2003), Justice (2003–2006), Community Services (2005–2006) and Emergency Services (2003–2007).
Humpherson was defeated in a preselection battle before the 2007 election in favour of insurance executive Jonathan O'Dea
. Humpherson had cross-factional backing among many delegates, but had lost support in local branches after reportedly instructing party members to quit branches under O'Dea's control, thereby reducing their voting power. Despite having support of the Party Leader
, Peter Debnam
, Humpherson lost the vote 52 votes to 54 and he resigned from parliament.
In March 2007, Humpherson was appointed to the newly created position of General Manager of Public Affairs at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
(ANSTO) and is a member of the board, which is appointed by the Governor General of Australia.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician, elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
for Davidson
Electoral district of Davidson
Davidson is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Jonathan O'Dea of the Liberal Party of Australia.-Members for Davidson:-Election results:...
from 1992-2007.
Early life
Humpherson was born in the United Kingdom in 1960. His family moved to Australia in 1970 and he was educated at Davidson High SchoolDavidson High School (New South Wales)
Davidson High School, is a school located in Frenchs Forest, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on Mimosa Street. It is a co-educational high school operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training with students from years 7 to 12...
where he became a member of the Student Council. He attended the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
where he graduated with honours in the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical).
Between 1986 and 1992 he was employed as an engineer and also a Territory Manager for Shell Australia
Shell Australia
In Australia, Royal Dutch Shell conducts a large range of activities. These include exploration for, and the production and commercialization of, oil and natural gas, the operation of two refineries, 19 terminals and 33 depots for the manufacture and distribution of oil products; and the marketing...
. Humpherson entered politics on 17 March 1987 as a Councillor on Warringah Shire Council
Warringah Council
Warringah is a local council area in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, Australia. Warringah Council overlaps with a number of suburbs from the Manly Council area to the south and the Pittwater Council area to the north...
and was Deputy Shire President from 1991-1992 until he resigned on 30 May 1992, following his election to state parliament.
Political career
He was elected into the New South Wales Legislative AssemblyNew South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
for the seat of Davidson
Electoral district of Davidson
Davidson is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Jonathan O'Dea of the Liberal Party of Australia.-Members for Davidson:-Election results:...
, at a May 1992 by-election
Davidson by-election, 1992
A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Davidson on 2 May 1992.It was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal Party-turned Independent MP, Terry Metherell, after the scandal known as the 'Metherell Crisis'....
brought on by the resignation of former Education Minister and Liberal-turned-independent member Terry Metherell
Terry Metherell
Terry Alan Metherell is a former Australian politician who represented the Electoral district of Davidson in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1981 to 1992. When the Liberal Party won the 1988 election, Premier Nick Greiner appointed him Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, a...
, who resigned to take up a public service appointment offered by the Greiner government
Nick Greiner
Nicholas "Nick" Frank Hugo Greiner AC, is an Australian businessman and former politician. He was the 37th Premier New South Wales from 1988 to 1992. He was Leader of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1983 to 1992 and Leader of the Opposition from 1983 to 1988. He is married...
. The Independent Commission Against Corruption then announced that this amounted to a corrupt attempt to have Davidson return to the Liberal Party, which had lost its parliamentary majority at the 1991 election
New South Wales state election, 1991
Elections to the 50th Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 25 May 1991. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election...
.
The independents who held the balance of power subsequently forced Greiner's resignation as Premier, and the ICAC's findings were overturned in the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Supreme Court of New South Wales
The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court of the Australian State of New South Wales...
. However Davidson returned to the Liberals, with Humpherson winning the by-election ahead of 14 other candidates, despite a 16.1 per cent swing against the Liberal Party.
As a backbencher, Humpherson served in various Parliamentary committees, until in 2000 when he was appointed as a Shadow Minister under Opposition Leader Kerry Chikarovski
Kerry Chikarovski
Kerry Anne Chikarovski was leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. She served as Leader of the Opposition between 1998 and 2002....
. He held various shadow portfolios including Housing and Corrective Services (2000–2002), Planning and Environment (2002–2003), Justice (2003–2006), Community Services (2005–2006) and Emergency Services (2003–2007).
Humpherson was defeated in a preselection battle before the 2007 election in favour of insurance executive Jonathan O'Dea
Jonathan O'Dea
Jonathan Richard O'Dea MP , an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Davidson for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2007.-Early life:...
. Humpherson had cross-factional backing among many delegates, but had lost support in local branches after reportedly instructing party members to quit branches under O'Dea's control, thereby reducing their voting power. Despite having support of the Party Leader
Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party
The position of leader of the Liberal Party of Australia's New South Wales division is a formal role held by a Liberal member of the Parliament of New South Wales...
, Peter Debnam
Peter Debnam
Peter John Debnam , is a former Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Vaucluse between 1994 and 2011. Debnam is a former Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Western Sydney,...
, Humpherson lost the vote 52 votes to 54 and he resigned from parliament.
In March 2007, Humpherson was appointed to the newly created position of General Manager of Public Affairs at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation is a statutory body of the Australian government, formed in 1987 to replace the Australian Atomic Energy Commission. Its head office and main facilities are in southern outskirts of Sydney at Lucas Heights, in the Sutherland Shire...
(ANSTO) and is a member of the board, which is appointed by the Governor General of Australia.