Local Leaders Profiles

Paul Keating:

Paul Keating was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996 and is currently retired. He held the seat of Blaxland during his political career from its beginning to the end. He rose to prominence whilst serving as a reformist Treasurer of the Hawke Government, taking leadership of many significant economic reforms such as the floating of the Australian dollar and deregulation. He went on to later challenge Bob Hawke for leadership in the Labor Party and defeated him in 1991, becoming Prime Minister. The years of his government and Bob Hawke’s were often referred to as the ‘Hawke-Keating Government’, due to the similarity in policies and the close relationship they had before. He is currently aged 69.​



Gough Whitlam:

Gough Whitlam served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia from 1972-1975 and is currently retired. Whitlam held the seat of Werriwa during his time as Prime Minister. Gough Whitlam led one of Australia’s most reformist and liberal governments in history, initiating many far-reaching reforms that even have reverberations in today’s society. Amongst his many reforms, he abolished conscription, abolished the White Australia Policy, eliminated capital punishment, instituted universal healthcare and initiated many legal aid programs. His Prime Ministership was brought to an end during the 1975 constitutional crisis, when the Opposition refused to pass his budget appropriation bills in Parliament, leading to a lack of money supply in the government. The Governor-General thus dissolved Parliament, and Whitlam subsequently lost the election in 1975. He is currently aged 96.​



Dr Ken Henry:

Dr Ken Henry is a public servant who has served as the former Secretary of the Department of the Treasury from 2001-2011. He served as an influential economic manager during this period, specifically advising the Rudd Government during the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 to initiate a stimulus package, which helped Australia avoid a recession and survive mostly unscathed, unlike the rest of the world. He also chaired the Henry Tax Review in 2010, which amongst many things recommended a mining tax on mining companies, which was implemented as well. In addition, he also led the writing of the White Paper on the topic ‘Australia in the Asian Century’ in 2012. He is arguably one of the most influential and expert public servants in Australia.​



Nicola Roxon:


Nicola Roxon is an Australian politician who has held a number of ministerial positions under the Rudd and Gillard Governments in the Labor Party. She was born in Sydney in 1 April 1967. Between 2011 and 2013, she served as Australia’s Attorney-General. She also served as Minister of Health from 2009-2010. She recently resigned in 2 February 2013, and intends to continue serving as a backbencher until the 2014 election. She has represented the federal seat of Gellibrand ever since the 1998 election.

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Barry O’Farrell:



Barry O'Farrell is the current Premier of the state of New South Wales. As the Premier of our state he is an important community leader. He also represents the seat of Ku-Ring-Gai, in which our school is located.

John Howard:



​Born in 1939, this man was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. He was  was very important as Opposition Leader and as Prime Minister as a leader for the Sydney and Australian communities.

Tony Abbott:



Tony Abbott is the current leader of the federal opposition. He is also important leader in our local area as he represents the local seat of Wahroonga. He is currently one of the to people in the running for the next prime minister of Australia.

Joe Hockey:


Joe Hockey is the current shadow treasurer and representitive of the seat of North Sydney. He is an important figure in the Liberal party of Australia and is a major leader in the local Sydney community.



John Robertson:



John Robertson is the current Opposition Leader of NSW and is also the current Leader of NSW Labor. He is a former Minister of Transport in NSW and also served in the NSW Legislative Council from 2008 to 2011. He was born in Sydney, NSW, and is currently 50 years old. He is currently in the NSW seat of Blacktown and represents its constituents in the Legislative Assembly.

Kristina Keneally:


Kristina Keneally was the 42nd Premier of NSW and also served as Leader of the NSW Labor Party from 2009-2011. She lost her Premiership in 2011 when she lost to the Liberal/National Coalition during the March 2011 elections. Keneally served in the NSW seat of Heffron from the 2003 election in a controversial preselection until 2011. She was responsible for electricity privatisation during her Premiership.

Morris Iemma:


Morris Iemma was the 40th Premier of NSW and served as Leader of the NSW Labor Party from 2005-2008, succeeding Bob Carr when he resigned. Iemma retired from politics on 5 September 2008, resigning from his position as Premier.

Peter Garrett:


Peter Garrett is an Australian politician, environmentalist, singer and activist. He was lead singer of the Australian band Midnight Oil from 1973 until its disbandment in 2002. After Kevin Rudd’s electoral victory in 2008, he served as Minister for Environment, Heritage and Arts in the ministry. He also continued in this role during the Gillard Government as well. He has campaigned heavily in environmental issues during his life.

Philip Ruddock:


Philip Ruddock is the former Minister for Immigration and Attorney General, serving in the Cabinet of Prime Minister John Howard from 1996-2007. He is currently the “Father of the Parliament” being the longest-serving Member of Parliament (MP) out of both houses. He represents the Federal Division of Berowra. Philip Ruddock is a member of Amnesty International.