John Hatzistergos
Encyclopedia
John Hatzistergos is a former Australian politician who was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
representing the Australian Labor Party
between 1999 and 2011. He was a senior Minister in Keneally ministry
.
, Sydney, the son of two unskilled Greek
immigrants, Hatzistergos was educated at Bourke Street Primary School in Surry Hills
and Cleveland Street Boys High, in Redfern. He studied economics and law at The University of Sydney (where he was later appointed to the Senate of the University) and was a solicitor in private practice between 1983 and 1987. He spent the next two years as a Senior Legal Officer with the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions and a barrister
in private practice since 1989.
, between 2005–2007 and again briefly for 14 days in 2009, Minister for Fair Trading (2005) and Minister for Justice, between 2003–2005 and again between 2007–2009. Hatzistergos served as Attorney General
from 2007 until 2011, and Minister for Industrial Relations between 2008 and 2009. He was Minister for Citizenship, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Vice President of the Executive Council and Government Leader in the Legislative Council.
During his tenure, Hatzistergos was a nationally recognised opponent of a Bill of Rights
. He has been considered a possible candidate for appointment to the Supreme Court of New South Wales
, and a potential successor to Chief Justice
Reg Blanch of the District Court of New South Wales
.
On 31 March 2011 Hatzistergos announced that he intended to retire from the Legislative Council despite having four years of his term to run. His announcement follows that of Eddie Obeid
with Walt Secord
and Adam Searle
nominated by Labor to fill the casual vacancies.
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
representing 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...
between 1999 and 2011. He was a senior Minister in 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....
.
Early career and background
Raised in RedfernRedfern, New South Wales
Redfern is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Redfern is 3 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney...
, Sydney, the son of two unskilled Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
immigrants, Hatzistergos was educated at Bourke Street Primary School in Surry Hills
Surry Hills, New South Wales
Surry Hills is an inner-city suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Surry Hills is located immediately south-east of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Sydney...
and Cleveland Street Boys High, in Redfern. He studied economics and law at The University of Sydney (where he was later appointed to the Senate of the University) and was a solicitor in private practice between 1983 and 1987. He spent the next two years as a Senior Legal Officer with the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions and a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
in private practice since 1989.
Political career
First elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1999, Hatzistergos served as the NSW Minister for HealthMinister for Health (New South Wales)
The New South Wales Minister for Health has responsibilities which includes all hospitals and health services in NSW.The current Minister for Health is Jillian Skinner. She administers her portfolio through the Department of Health.-List of Ministers:...
, between 2005–2007 and again briefly for 14 days in 2009, Minister for Fair Trading (2005) and Minister for Justice, between 2003–2005 and again between 2007–2009. Hatzistergos served as Attorney General
Attorney General of New South Wales
The Attorney General of New South Wales, usually known simply as the Attorney General, is one of the Law Officers of the Crown. Along with the subordinate Solicitor General of New South Wales and Crown Solicitor, the Attorney General serves as the chief legal adviser of the Crown and its government...
from 2007 until 2011, and Minister for Industrial Relations between 2008 and 2009. He was Minister for Citizenship, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Vice President of the Executive Council and Government Leader in the Legislative Council.
During his tenure, Hatzistergos was a nationally recognised opponent of a Bill of Rights
Bill of rights
A bill of rights is a list of the most important rights of the citizens of a country. The purpose of these bills is to protect those rights against infringement. The term "bill of rights" originates from England, where it referred to the Bill of Rights 1689. Bills of rights may be entrenched or...
. He has been considered a possible candidate for appointment to 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...
, and a potential successor to Chief Justice
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
Reg Blanch of the District Court of New South Wales
District Court of New South Wales
The District Court of New South Wales has jurisdiction to hear most indictable offences . It hears appeals from the Local Court and civil claims up to A$750 000. In some circumstances the amount may be higher, e.g. with the consent of the parties or in motor accident claims etc...
.
On 31 March 2011 Hatzistergos announced that he intended to retire from the Legislative Council despite having four years of his term to run. His announcement follows that of Eddie Obeid
Eddie Obeid
Edward Moses Obeid OAM , a former Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council who served between 1991 and 2011, representing the Australian Labor Party. He was the Minister for Fisheries and the Minister for Mineral Resources from 1999–2003...
with Walt Secord
Walt Secord
Walter "Walt" Secord is a Canadian-born Australian politician. He has been an Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Council since May 2011, when he was elected to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Eddie Obeid...
and Adam Searle
Adam Searle
Adam Searle is an Australian politician. He has been an Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Council since May 2011....
nominated by Labor to fill the casual vacancies.
External links
- The Hon. John HATZISTERGOS, BEc LLM MLC – Parliament of New South WalesParliament of New South WalesThe Parliament of New South Wales, located in Parliament House on Macquarie Street, Sydney, is the main legislative body in the Australian state of New South Wales . It is a bicameral parliament elected by the people of the state in general elections. The parliament shares law making powers with...