Bill Stefaniak
Encyclopedia
William George "Bill" Stefaniak (born 8 January 1952) is an Australian Liberal Party
politician. He was the Leader of the Opposition
in the Australian Capital Territory
after succeeding in a leadership challenge against former leader Brendan Smyth
on 16 May 2006. He is a former Major
in the Australian Army Reserve
and a law graduate of the Australian National University
. On 13 December 2007 he was replaced as Liberal Leader by Zed Seselja
.
He was one of the five members for the district of Ginninderra
from 1995 to 2008. He is now one of the residing magistrates in the ACT.
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
politician. He was the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Australian Capital Territory)
The Leader of the Opposition of the Australian Capital Territory is an official role usually occupied by the leader of the second largest party or coalition in the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly...
in the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
after succeeding in a leadership challenge against former leader Brendan Smyth
Brendan Smyth (politician)
Brendan Michael Smyth is a Liberal Party of Australia politician. From 2002 to 2006 he was the Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Capital Territory. He retains his shadow previous portfolios of Health, Ageing, Business and Tourism at present. He represents the electorate of...
on 16 May 2006. He is a former Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the Australian Army Reserve
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
and a law graduate of the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. On 13 December 2007 he was replaced as Liberal Leader by Zed Seselja
Zed Seselja
Zed Seselja is a Liberal Party Australian politician. He has been a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly since 2004. He has been the territory's 12th Opposition Leader since December 2007, when he was appointed to the position following the resignation of Bill Stefaniak...
.
He was one of the five members for the district of Ginninderra
Ginninderra electorate
The Ginninderra electorate is one of the three electorates for the unicameral 17-member Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. It has five seats, and is the smallest of the electorates in geographic area.-History:...
from 1995 to 2008. He is now one of the residing magistrates in the ACT.