Barbara Perry
Encyclopedia
Barbara Mazzel Anne Perry MP, (born 9 May), an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
representing Auburn for the Australian Labor Party
since 2001. Perry is the Shadow Minister for Ageing, Shadow Minister for Disability Services, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Perry was the first woman of Lebanese
origin to be elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
and the Marist Brothers
before graduating in law from the University of Sydney
, commencing work with the Legal Aid Commission in 1990.
on 8 September 2001 following the resignation of Labor Member Peter Nagle
and re-elected at the 2003
, 2007 and 2011
state elections.
Following the 2007 state election, Perry was appointed Minister for Juvenile Justice, Minister for Western Sydney and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship in the second Iemma ministry
, serving until December 2008. In December 2009, Perry was appointed to the Keneally ministry
as Minister for Local Government and Minister Assisting the Minister for Mental Health, taking on the additional responsibilities of Minister for Juvenile Justice in June 2010. Perry retained these portfolios until the 2011 state election
when Labor was defeated at the polls. Subsequently, Perry was appointed Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Shadow Minister for Ageing and Disability Services.
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...
representing Auburn for the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
since 2001. Perry is the Shadow Minister for Ageing, Shadow Minister for Disability Services, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Perry was the first woman of Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
origin to be elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
Early years and background
One of five children, Perry is the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, Ralph and Susan Abood, and is married with five sons. She was educated by the Sisters of CharitySisters of Charity of Australia
The Sisters of Charity of Australia is a congregation of Roman Catholic women religious who have served the people of Australia since 1838...
and the Marist Brothers
Marist Brothers
The Marist Brothers, or Little Brothers of Mary, are a Catholic religious order of brothers and affiliated lay people. The order was founded in France, at La Valla-en-Gier near Lyon in 1817 by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, a young French priest of the Society of Mary...
before graduating in law from the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, commencing work with the Legal Aid Commission in 1990.
Political career
Perry was elected in a by-electionBy-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
on 8 September 2001 following the resignation of Labor Member Peter Nagle
Peter Nagle
Peter Richard Nagle is an Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1988 to 2001, representing the electorate of Auburn....
and re-elected at the 2003
New South Wales state election, 2003
Elections to the 53rd Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 22 March 2003. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election...
, 2007 and 2011
New South Wales state election, 2011
Elections to the 55th Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday, 26 March 2011. The 16-year incumbent Australian Labor Party government led by Premier Kristina Keneally was defeated in a landslide by the Liberal-National coalition opposition led by Barry O'Farrell.New South Wales has...
state elections.
Following the 2007 state election, Perry was appointed Minister for Juvenile Justice, Minister for Western Sydney and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship in the second Iemma ministry
Iemma ministry (2007–2008)
The Iemma ministry or Second Iemma ministry is the 90th ministry of the Government of New South Wales, and was led by the 40th Premier Morris Iemma...
, serving until December 2008. In December 2009, Perry was appointed to the Keneally ministry
Keneally ministry
The Keneally ministry is the 92nd ministry of the Government of New South Wales, and was led by the 42nd Premier Kristina Keneally....
as Minister for Local Government and Minister Assisting the Minister for Mental Health, taking on the additional responsibilities of Minister for Juvenile Justice in June 2010. Perry retained these portfolios until the 2011 state election
New South Wales state election, 2011
Elections to the 55th Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday, 26 March 2011. The 16-year incumbent Australian Labor Party government led by Premier Kristina Keneally was defeated in a landslide by the Liberal-National coalition opposition led by Barry O'Farrell.New South Wales has...
when Labor was defeated at the polls. Subsequently, Perry was appointed Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Shadow Minister for Ageing and Disability Services.