Brett Whiteley (politician)

Brett Whiteley (born 1 July 1960, Burnie) is an Australian politician and a member of the Liberal Party in Tasmania. He was first elected as a member for Braddon in the 2002 election.

After nearly three decades of community service Brett has quickly gained a political reputation for fighting on behalf of his constituents. Brett is passionate about the North West Coast and it shows.

Elected in 2002, Brett is now the Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services - the biggest portfolio of government. Brett took on this responsibility after having been the Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Shadow Minister for Local Government. Brett is recognised as a strong parliamentary contributor and is known amongst political commentators as an integral member of the Liberal team as it seeks a mandate to govern at the next state election.

Brett has had a long association with church and community affairs in the north-west. He is a former bank manager and pastor, and served as an alderman of the City of Burnie between 1999 and 2002.

In recognition of his contribution to the community, Brett won a Tasmania Day award in 1997 for community service. Brett has taken very quickly to the area of Health and Human Services and his grass roots involvement over nearly 30 years places him in a unique position to understand the issues that are deeply impacting on our community.

In the short time Brett has held the Shadow Health role he has already shown that he is above the political game playing with the release of the Liberals response to the Clinical Services plan announced by the government. Brett has a family and knows full well that the time has come for sensible change when it comes to the provision of health services across the state. His attitude and commonsense approach to this significant public policy area has been welcomed across the health and human services sector.

Brett believes strongly that our seniors have not been valued sufficiently and that small business remains the foundation to economic stimulation in our region..

Both Brett and his wife Sue come from small business family backgrounds. They have been married for nearly 23 years have three children, Joshua, Jackson and Jessica.

References

* [http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/history/tasparl/whiteley734.htm Parliamentary library profile]

External links

* [http://www.brettwhiteleymp.com Brett Whiteley's Homepage]
* [http://www.taslib.net/html/biography6.html Tasmanian Liberal Party biography]
* [http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ha/ISWhiteleyBrett.htm Brett Whiteley's maiden speech to parliament]