Brad Hazzard

Background and early career

Hazzard was educated at Manly Boys' High School (now Manly Selective Campus), Macquarie University where he gained a Bachelor of Arts (Science) and a Diploma of Education, the University of New South Wales where he graduated Bachelor of Laws, and the University of Sydney where he graduated Master of Laws. Hazzard was then employed as a science teacher (1974–1977) before being admitted as a solicitor in 1977. He was a partner in a Manly law firm from 1981 to 1996.

Political career

In 1983, Hazzard joined the Liberal Party and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming regional president and a member of the state executive from 1985 to 1986. Hazzard was pre-selected as Liberal Party candidate for Wakehurst in April 1991, ahead of the sitting Liberal Party member John Booth. He was elected to NSW Legislative Assembly in 1991 and sat in the backbench during the Greiner and Fahey governments.

Hazzard played a role in the "Metherell affair", involving the neighbouring Member for Davidson, Terry Metherell, who upon his resignation from the Liberal Party had expressed to Hazzard his interest in one of the Directorships at the new Environmental Protection Authority. Hazzard discussed this with Premier Greiner and the Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, at Greiner's residence in February 1992. Greiner and Hazzard then discussed the matter with Metherell while in Parliament ten days later.{{cite book | first = Ian | last = Hancock | title = The Liberals: a history of the NSW division of the Liberal party | publisher = The Federation Press

The government subsequently created the job for Metherell, which he accepted, effectively engineering a vacancy in a seat that the Liberal Party would recover at a by-election. At the May 1992 by-election the Labor Party did not nominate a candidate, and a field of Independents and minor parties reduced the Liberal vote by 16 points (14 points after preferences), nevertheless won by Liberal candidate Andrew Humpherson.{{cite news

NSW Opposition

After the Labor Party won the 1995 election, Hazzard was appointed to the Opposition frontbench and held various shadow portfolios. Under Opposition Leader Peter Collins, Hazzard was Shadow Minister for Corrective and Emergency Services (1995–1996), Environment (1996–1997), Aboriginal Affairs (1996–2007), and Sport and Recreation (1997–1999)

Under Kerry Chikarovski he was Shadow Minister for Housing (1999–2000), Corrective Services (1999–2000), Disability Services and Ageing (2000–2003), and Community Services (2000–2003). Under John Brogden he was Shadow Minister for Energy and Utilities (2003–2005), Science and Medical Research (2003–2005), Youth (2005), and Community Services (2005).

Under Peter Debnam and Barry O'Farrell he was Shadow Minister for Education (2005–2007) and was made Shadow Minister for Redfern Waterloo (2007–2008). He was also appointed Shadow Minister for Planning (2008–2011) and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure (2008–2011). Between 2007 and 2011 Hazzard criticised the State Labor Government's move to take planning powers away from Local government and handing them to government-appointed planning panels and their attitudes towards development of heritage areas.

NSW Government

In April 2011 Hazzard was appointed Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW. He also served as Leader of the Legislative Assembly from April 2011 to April 2014.{{cite news | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/new-faces-in-barry-ofarrells-cabinet/story-fn3dxity-1226032816887 | agency=AAP | title=New faces in Barry O'Farrell's Cabinet | work=The Australian

Due to the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as Premier, and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle by Mike Baird, the new Liberal Leader, in April 2014 Hazzard was sworn in as the Attorney General and as the Minister for Justice; and lost the portfolio of Planning and Infrastructure. In April 2015, following the 2015 state election, Hazzard was sworn in as the Minister for Family and Community Services and the Minister for Social Housing in the second Baird ministry.

Following the resignation of Baird as Premier, Gladys Berejiklian was elected as Liberal leader and sworn in as Premier. The Berejiklian ministry was subsequently formed with Hazzard sworn in as the Minister for Health and the Minister for Medical Research with effect from 30 January 2017.

On 25 October 2022, Hazzard announced his retirement from politics ahead of the 2023 state election.

Personal life

Hazzard has two adult sons. Hazzard married his second wife Nicole in February 2020.

Policies and beliefs

In August 2019, Brad Hazzard came out in support of removing abortion as a criminal offence (after 119 years within the NSW Crimes Act 1900 section(s) 82–84) via a bill he co-sponsored with 14 others of all different political parties and independents. The bill passed the parliament on 26 September 2019. Hazzard also supported proposals to ban the controversial practice of conversion therapy at a state and national level, however, a bill had not yet been introduced.

References

References

1. {{Cite NSW Parliament
2. Nicholls, Sean. (22 April 2014). "Mike Baird's cabinet reshuffle a preparation for next election". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
3. Hasham, Nicole. (3 April 2015). "Premier Mike Baird's new NSW cabinet sworn in: Gladys Berejiklian and Gabrielle Upton first female Treasurer and Attorney-General". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
4. Coultan, Mark. (1 April 2015). "Mike Baird reveals NSW cabinet". [[The Australian]].
5. (30 January 2017). "Refreshed NSW cabinet sworn in". [[Sky News]].
6. (2 April 2019). "Government Notices".
7. (16 April 2014). "Barry O'Farrell quits as NSW Premier over memory fail". [[The Australian]].
8. (22 April 2014). "Mike Baird's NSW cabinet". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
9. (22 April 2014). "Baird Cabinet announced: Premier promotes Constance to Treasurer, makes way for five new MPs". [[ABC News (Australia).
10. Jacques, Owen. (19 January 2017). "Baird resigns: NSW Premier to quit top job and Parliament". The Satellite.
11. (23 January 2017). "Swearing-In of The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, the 45th Premier of New South Wales, and The Honourable John Barilaro MP, Deputy Premier". Governor of New South Wales.
12. "Ministers". Parliament of New South Wales.
13. (26 January 2017). "Premier Gladys Berejiklian plans major reshuffle for cabinet". The Daily Telegraph.
14. (21 December 2021). "Parliament, Ministerial, Courts and Police".
15. (2022-10-24). "NSW health minister Brad Hazzard to retire from politics at state election".
16. "Profile". Brad Hazzard, MP.
17. (2021-01-09). "'Fear of the unknown': Hazzard on the pandemic and 30 years as an MP". Sydney Morning Herald.
18. [https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/~/pdf/view/act/1900/40/part3/div12 Crime Act 1900 No 40]
19. [https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=3654 Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill]
20. (28 July 2019). "NSW set to decriminalise abortion as health minister says it's 'time for change'". [[Guardian Australia]].
21. (2 August 2019). "'Gay conversion therapy nearly killed me': Survivor backs NSW push for national ban". [[ABC News (Australia).