David Elliott (politician)

David Elliott MP
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Baulkham Hills
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 March 2011
Preceded by	Wayne Merton
Majority	26.4%
Personal details
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s)	Nicole Elliott
Children	2 (m)
Residence	Kellyville
Alma mater	University of Western Sydney (1993) BA Royal Military College, Duntroon (1995) University of New England (1995) GradCertPubPol Charles Sturt University (2000) MA
Occupation	Former Chief Executive Officer Former Army Officer
Website	Parliamentary webpage
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Years of service	1995–1997; 2000
Rank	Captain
Battles/wars	Bougainville Peacekeeping Operation
Awards	Australian Service Medal

David Andrew Elliott MP (born ca 1972), an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Baulkham Hills for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2011.^[1]

Early years and background

In 1995, Elliott joined the Australian Army and commenced his officer training at Royal Military College, Duntroon, attaining the rank of Captain in April 1997. Taking 18 months leave, he worked as Press Secretary for the Hon. Peter Collins, QC MP who was elected NSW Leader of the Opposition following the 1995 state election. During 1999, Elliott was Director for the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy campaign against the referendum for Australia to become a republic;^[1] for which he was awarded the Centenary Medal on 1 January 2001 for service to the constitutional reform debate.^[2]

Returning to the Army in 2000, Elliott served in peace-keeping forces in Bouganville, Papua New Guinea and was awarded the Australian Service Medal. For the next four years, Elliott worked as State Operations Manager in St John Ambulance (NSW), before commencing as Executive Officer of the Australian Hotels Association, and later becoming Deputy Chief Executive Officer. In 2008, Elliott became Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Contractors Federation and held this position up until his election to Parliament.^[1]

Elliott has been a Director of Castle Hill RSL Club Limited since 2009.^[3] Elliott was a Director of Life Education Australia between 2009 and 2011, and a Member of Sydney Chamber of Commerce from 2008 to 2011.^[1] Between 1992 and 2001, he has held a range of Liberal Party elected positions.^[1]

Political career

On 16 June 2007, Elliott sought Liberal Party preselection for the Federal seat of Mitchell, but lost by a margin of 20 votes to 81^[4] against Alex Hawke, then an advisor to Ray Williams MP.^[5] Paul Blanch, a grazier from Orange, received 8 votes. Alan Cadman, who had been the member for Mitchell since 1974, chose not to contest the preselection,^[4] but was later quoted as saying that this was due to "relentless branch-stacking within the electorate."^[6] In February 2010, Elliott unsuccessfully sought Liberal Party pre-selection for the Legislative Council of New South Wales in a bitter and public battle with David Clarke, a member of the Liberal's so called 'religious right' faction.^[7][8]

Following the announcement of the retirement of sitting Liberal member, Wayne Merton, Elliott successfully won party pre-slection, running against Baulkham Hills Councillor Mike Thomas and solicitor, Damien Tudehope.^[9][10] At the 2011 election, Elliott was elected to the safe Liberal seat with a swing of 14.4 per cent and won the seat with 76.4 per cent of the vote on a two party preferred basis. Elliott's main opponent was Tony Hay, representing Labor.^[11]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Mr David Andrew Elliott, BA, GradCertPubPol, MA MP". Members of the NSW Legislative Assembly. Parliament of New South Wales. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/members.nsf/0/3349743ED5659FB1CA257860007CC1FA. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
2. ^ "Elliott, David Andrew". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 1 January 2001. http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1123837&search_type=quick&showInd=true. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
3. ^ "Concise Report" (pdf). 2010 Castle Hill RSL Group Annual Report. Castle Hill RSL Club Limited. 2010. http://www.castlehillrsl.com.au/images/uploads/0764_001.pdf. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Age does not worry him, says Lib hopeful". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). 18 June 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/age-does-not-worry-him-says-lib-hopeful/2007/06/17/1182018939057.html. Retrieved 1 May 2011. 
5. ^ "Hawke secures Liberal preselection for Mitchell". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 17 June 2007. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200706/s1953448.htm. Retrieved 1 May 2011. 
6. ^ Maley, Paul; Salusinszky , Imre (24 September 2007). "Veteran Lib slams party's far Right". The Australian (News Limited). http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/veteran-lib-slams-partys-far-right/story-e6frg6nf-1111114486981. Retrieved 1 May 2011. 
7. ^ Snow, Deborah (15 February 2010). "Testing testing ... yes, these are testing times". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/testing-testing--yes-these-are-testing-times-20100214-nzl4.html#ixzz1KdCTmsDu. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
8. ^ Clennell, Andrew (20 February 2010). "Religious right chief defeats challenger". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). http://www.smh.com.au/national/religious-right-chief-defeats-challenger-20100219-om3k.html?skin=text-only. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
9. ^ Jordan, Bev (1 June 2010). "Battle on for Lib seats". The Hills Shire Times (News Limited). http://property.hillsshiretimes.com.au/default.aspx?iid=36793&startpage=page0000007#folio=006. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
10. ^ Jordan, Bev (12 September 2010). "David Elliott runs for Baulkham Hills". The Hills Shrie Times (News Limited). http://hills-shire-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/david-elliott-runs-for-baulkham-hills/. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
11. ^ Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Baulkham Hills". NSW Votes 2011 (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2011/guide/baul.htm. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 

External links

• Mr David Andrew ELLIOTT, BA, GradCertPubPol, MA MP - Parliament of New South Wales.

Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by Wayne Merton	Member for Baulkham Hills 2011 – present	Succeeded by Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Elliott, David Andrew
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