Steve Whan

The Honorable Steve Whan MLC
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 June 2011
Preceded by	Tony Kelly
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
In office 22 March 2003 – 26 March 2011
Preceded by	Peter Webb
Succeeded by	John Barilaro
Constituency	Monaro
Minister for Primary Industries
In office 8 December 2009 – 28 March 2011
Preceded by	Ian Macdonald
Succeeded by	Katrina Hodgkinson
Minister for Emergency Services
In office 30 January 2009 – 28 March 2011
Preceded by	Tony Kelly
Minister for Rural Affairs
In office 14 September 2009 – 28 March 2011
Preceded by	Tony Kelly
Personal details
Born	(1964-02-11) 11 February 1964 Canberra, Australia
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Spouse(s)	Cherie
Children	2 children
Occupation	Politician

Steve Whan ( /ˈstiːv ˈwən/) (born 11 February 1964), an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, appointed in June 2011 to fill a casual vacancy. Whan represented the electoral district of Monaro in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the Australian Labor Party from 2003 until his defeat at the 2011 election. Whan served as Minister of Emergency Services, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Rural Affairs in the Rees and Keneally ministries from 2009 to 2011.

Early career and background

Born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, the son of Bob Whan, a former member for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro, Whan was educated at the Canberra College of Advanced Education (now University of Canberra). He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, majoring in Economics and Politics. In 1998, he received a Graduate Certificate in Management from the University of Western Sydney.

Whan lives in Queanbeyan with his wife and two children.

From 1987 to 1988 Whan was Assistant Private Secretary to John Brown, Federal Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories. He later worked for then Senator Bob McMullan until 1992. Between 1992 and 1994, Whan worked for Ros Kelly, Federal Minister for Environment, Sport and Territories. Whan was employed by Kelly during the period known as the sports rorts affair.^{[citation needed]}

He worked for the Australian Sports Commission from 1994 to 2001 and subsequently became a consultant on community relations and sport before being preselected as a candidate for the New South Wales Legislative Council.

Political career

Representing Labor, Whan contested Eden-Monaro at the 1998 and 2001 federal elections; however was unsuccessful on both occasions.

Whan was elected as the Member for Monaro at the 2003 NSW State election.

In August 2009, some media outlets speculated that Whan would be appointed as the NSW Government's Police Minister. Commentators had suggested that Whan would be rewarded for his ongoing factional support for Premier, Nathan Rees. His appointment as Police Minister did not eventuate; however one month later, Whan was appointed Minister for Rural Affairs.

At the 2011 election, Whan was defeated as Member for Monaro. Less than three months later, he was appointed to the Legislative Council to fill a casual vacancy, succeeding Tony Kelly. He was immediately promoted to the shadow cabinet, becoming the shadow minister for Resources and Primary Industries, Shadow Special Minister of State, shadow minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing.

References

Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by Peter Webb	Member for Monaro 2003 – 2011	Succeeded by John Barilaro