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Morris Iemma

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The Honourable
Morris Iemma
Iemma in 2007
40th Premier of New South Wales
Elections: 2007
In office
3 August 2005 – 5 September 2008
MonarchElizabeth II
GovernorMarie Bashir
DeputyJohn Watkins
Preceded byBob Carr
Succeeded byNathan Rees
ConstituencyLakemba
Ministerial offices 1999–⁠2008
Minister for Citizenship
In office
3 August 2005 – 5 September 2008
Premierhimself
Preceded byBob Carr
Succeeded byVirginia Judge
Minister for State Development
In office
17 February 2006 – 2 April 2007
Premierhimself
Preceded byJohn Watkins
Succeeded byIan Macdonald
Treasurer of New South Wales
In office
3 August 2005 – 17 February 2006
Premierhimself
Preceded byAndrew Refshauge
Succeeded byMichael Costa
Minister for Health
In office
2 April 2003 – 3 August 2005
PremierBob Carr
Preceded byCraig Knowles
Succeeded byJohn Hatzistergos
Minister for Sport and Recreation
In office
21 November 2001 – 2 April 2003
PremierBob Carr
Preceded byJohn Watkins
Succeeded bySandra Nori (as Minister for Tourism and Sport and Recreation)
Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship
In office
8 April 1999 – 2 April 2003
PremierBob Carr
Preceded bynew title
Succeeded byJohn Hatzistergos
Minister for Public Works and Services
In office
8 April 1999 – 2 April 2003
PremierBob Carr
Preceded byRon Dyer
Succeeded byCraig Knowles (as Minister for Infrastructure and Planning)
Constituencies 1991–⁠2008
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
for Lakemba
In office
27 March 1999 – 19 September 2008
Preceded byTony Stewart
Succeeded byRobert Furolo
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
for Hurstville
In office
25 May 1991 – 5 March 1999
Preceded byGuy Yeomans
Succeeded byseat abolished
Personal details
Born (1961-07-21) 21 July 1961 (age 63)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political partyLabor Party
Spouse
Santina Raiti
​
(m. 1997)​
Children4, including Clara Iemma
EducationNarwee Boys' High School
University of Sydney
University of Technology, Sydney
ProfessionUnion official and adviser

Morris Iemma (/ˈjɛmə/; born 21 July 1961) is a former Australian politician who was the 40th Premier of New South Wales. He served from 3 August 2005 to 5 September 2008. From Sydney, Iemma attended the University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney. A member of the Labor Party, he was first elected to the Parliament of New South Wales at the 1991 state election, having previously worked as a trade union official. From 1999, Iemma was a minister in the third and fourth ministries led by Bob Carr. He replaced Carr as premier and Leader of the New South Wales Labor Party in 2005, following Carr's resignation. Iemma led Labor to victory at the 2007 state election, albeit with a slightly reduced majority. He resigned as premier in 2008, after losing the support of caucus, and left parliament shortly after, triggering a by-election. He was replaced as premier by Nathan Rees.

Background

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Iemma was born in Sydney, the only child of Giuseppe and Maria Iemma, migrants from Martone, Calabria, Italy. Maria Iemma worked in the clothing trade, and Giuseppe Iemma, a communist[1][2] supporter in Italy, worked as a machine labourer. Morris joined the Labor Party when he was 16. He was educated at state schools in Sydney, including the now-closed Narwee Boys' High School, and has an economics degree from the University of Sydney and a law degree from the University of Technology, Sydney.

In 1997, Iemma married Santina Raiti, with whom he has four children. The couple's eldest child, Clara, is a cricketer.[3][4]

Iemma is a member of the dominant right-wing faction of the New South Wales branch of the Australian Labor Party. From 1984 to 1986 he was an official with the Commonwealth Bank Employees Union. He then worked as an adviser to Senator Graham Richardson who held the environment and social security portfolios in the Bob Hawke and Paul Keating federal governments.

Iemma is a keen supporter of the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. He also supports the Sydney Swans in the AFL.[5]

Parliamentary career

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Member for Hurstville

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Iemma contested the seat of Liberal-held seat of Hurstville at the 1991 New South Wales state election. He was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly[6] with the slogan "A local who listens," defeating the sitting member for Earlwoood, Phil White. In his first term, he served on the Regulation Review Committee and served for eleven months as a member of the Joint Select Committee upon the Constitution (Fixed Term Parliament) Bills.

He was re-elected in 1995 and was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary in the Carr Government. Initially assisting the Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Jeff Shaw, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary assisting the Premier, Bob Carr in 1997. When the seat of Hurstville was abolished in 1999, he won a tough pre-selection battle for the safe seat of Lakemba, which included part of the old seat of Hurstville. Iemma would hold Lakemba until his resignation in 2008.[6]

Carr Government Minister

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Following the 1999 election, Iemma was appointed Minister for Public Works and Services and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship in the Carr ministry. He added the portfolio of Minister for Sport and Recreation in 2001. He held the three portfolios until the 2003 election.

In 2003, he was appointed as Minister for Health.[7] His tenure as Health Minister was generally free of major controversy, although he has said of the Health portfolio: "it is one of the biggest and most difficult jobs in government".[7]

Premier

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Iemma in 2006

First ministry

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See also: Iemma ministry (2005–07)

When Bob Carr announced his intention to retire as New South Wales Premier on 3 August 2005, Iemma immediately announced his candidacy to succeed him as leader of the NSW Labor Party and thus as Premier. Police Minister Carl Scully was also a candidate, but on 29 July he withdrew. Iemma was the only candidate when the Labor Caucus met on 2 August to elect a new leader. He was formally appointed by Professor Marie Bashir, the Governor of New South Wales, on 3 August.[8]

Iemma immediately faced a number of resignations. Deputy Premier and Treasurer Andrew Refshauge, and senior minister Craig Knowles, once considered a potential leader himself, both declared they would leave politics.[8] Iemma took the Treasury portfolio for himself. Among his first policy moves as new Premier, Iemma announced the immediate repealing of the vendor tax (a tax on investment property) that was introduced by the Carr government in 2003.

Opinion polls in August showed that Labor under Iemma's leadership was maintaining the lead over the Liberal opposition it had enjoyed under Carr, despite Iemma's relatively low profile.[8] His short-term position was improved by the sudden resignation of Liberal leader John Brogden. This was seen in the results of the by-elections on 17 September caused by the resignation from Parliament of Carr, Refshauge and Knowles.[8] Labor retained all three seats - Maroubra (Carr's seat) very easily, Macquarie Fields (Knowles's seat) comfortably, despite a substantial swing to the Liberals, and Marrickville (Refshauge's seat) despite a strong challenge from the Greens. In Marrickville, where the Labor candidate was Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt (switching from the Legislative Council), the Labor primary vote increased in the absence of a Liberal Party candidate.[9]

Despite its relatively short term in office, the Iemma Government faced significant service delivery problems in transport, health care and future water supplies. Sydney newspapers consistently asserted that Iemma's government was more interested in "spin" than policy development.[10] Other embarrassments beset his premiership. For example, in February 2006, while awaiting the start of a COAG media conference in Canberra, while chatting to Victorian Premier Steve Bracks and not realising cameras were operating, Iemma was recorded as saying:

"Today? This fuckwit who's the new CEO of the Cross City Tunnel has ... been saying what controversy? There is no controversy."[11]

Nevertheless, in the months leading up to his first election as Labor leader, he maintained a comfortable lead in various opinion polls and was re-elected in the March 2007 election.[12] Labor was returned with 52 seats compared to 35 for the Coalition.

Second ministry

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See also: Iemma ministry (2007–08)

On 15 July 2007, after several failures on the NSW rail system, Iemma claimed that the government was at war with rail unions.[13] In November 2007 the Iemma government lifted the ban on genetically modified canola production and started the process of privatising the state's electricity system. On 3 May 2008, the New South Wales ALP's State Conference rejected, by 702 to 107 votes, the Iemma government's plans to privatise the state's electricity system.[14][15]

Resignation and post-political career

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Iemma in 2011

On 5 September 2008, Iemma announced his resignation as Premier after losing the support of his caucus faction over the details of a proposed cabinet reshuffle sparked by the resignation of Deputy Premier John Watkins. Iemma had proposed that five other Ministers also depart, including Treasurer Michael Costa and Health Minister Reba Meagher. Iemma's faction, Centre Unity, supported the sacking of the Treasurer but not the other four Ministers. Faced with this rejection, Iemma resigned.[16] The caucus unanimously selected Nathan Rees as Premier in his stead.[17]

Iemma resigned from parliament on 19 September 2008, ending his 17-year political career,[18] and forcing a by-election in the seat of Lakemba,[19] won by Robert Furolo.[20]

In May 2009, Iemma was admitted to hospital suffering from an acute brain inflammation—viral meningitis. As a result, he lost movement in his legs and underwent physiotherapy with the goal of recovering full use of his legs.[21][22] Iemma has served as chair of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Board since 1 January 2011 and on the boards of the Cancer Institute NSW and the Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust.[22]

In January 2013, there was speculation that Iemma was considering standing for the Division of Barton in the Australian House of Representatives for Labor at the 2013 federal election to replace former Attorney-General Robert McClelland who on that day announced that he would be retiring from parliament after 17 years.[23] Iemma, however, decided not to contest the preselection in Barton,[24][25] and the preselection instead went to Steve McMahon.[26]

In November 2012 and March 2014 Iemma was called before the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in relation to allegations of corrupt behaviour by Eddie Obeid regarding a dispute between Australian Water Holdings and Sydney Water; and in relation to allegations of corrupt behaviour by Ian Macdonald and Obeid regarding the issuing of lucrative mining licences near Bylong.[27][28][29] Both Obeid and Macdonald were found by ICAC to have acted in a corrupt manner regarding the issuing of mining licences and criminal charges were laid.[30][31]

In 2015, Iemma sought preselection to contest Barton at the 2016 Australian federal election.[32] Barton was ultimately contested and won by Iemma's former caucus colleague Linda Burney.[33]

Honours

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The Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre, named in honour of Iemma and operated by the City of Canterbury-Bankstown in partnership with the YMCA NSW, is a modern sports facility that caters for a variety of indoor sports, including netball, basketball, soccer and volleyball as well as incorporating a gym, change rooms, cafeteria and childcare services. The facility was opened in March 2011.[34][35]

References

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  1. ^ Marr, David (17 March 2007). "Suburban son rises". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
  2. ^ Totaro, Paola (21 April 2003). "Out of the shadows". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  3. ^ Buckley, James (29 November 2017). "Clara Iemma signs one-year Big Bash deal with Sydney Sixers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  4. ^ Haigh, Paul (31 January 2016). "Clara Iemma graces crease with a premier approach". St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  5. ^ Smith, Alexandra; Robins, Brian (6 September 2008). "Labor revolt: Morris Iemma to quit politics". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Lakemba - 2008 New South Wales By-elections". ABC News. Australia. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  7. ^ a b Benson, Simon; Hildebrand, Joe (5 September 2008). "Morris Iemma quits politics to be husband and father". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d Davies, Anne; Pearlman, Johnathan (30 July 2005). "Introducing your new premier". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  9. ^ "Marrickville 2007 By-election". ABC News. Australia. 11 April 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  10. ^ "Failure to shoot straight derails Iemma". nineMSN. Archived from the original on 3 December 2007.
  11. ^ "Anger good, swearing bad: Iemma". The Age. Australia. 11 February 2006.
  12. ^ "Iemma 'hopeful' of victory". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 March 2007.
  13. ^ Benson, Simon (18 July 2007). "Rail unions under pressure". The Daily Telegraph. Australia.
  14. ^ "NSW electricity privatisation bid rejected". ABC News. Australia. 3 May 2008.
  15. ^ "Iemma loses privatisation vote". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  16. ^ Smith, Alexandra; Robins, Brian (5 September 2008). "NSW Premier Morris Iemma resigns". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  17. ^ Smith, Alexandra; Robins, Brian (5 September 2008). "Nathan Rees confirmed as new NSW Premier". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  18. ^ "The Hon. Morris Iemma (1961-)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  19. ^ Salusinszky, Imre (19 September 2008). "Morris Iemma quits, forcing fourth by-election". The Australian. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  20. ^ Nicholls, Sean (9 August 2014). "Morris Iemma blasts state Labor leader over Lakemba intervention". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  21. ^ Silmalis, Linda (28 May 2009). "Paralysed Iemma fights to walk again". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
  22. ^ a b "Morris Iemma's private battle". The Australian. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  23. ^ Hurst, Daniel (30 January 2013). "Iemma in frame as McClelland decides to bring down curtain". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  24. ^ Foschia, Liz (11 March 2013). "Iemma turns down offer of federal seat". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  25. ^ Benson, Simon (10 March 2013). "Morris Iemma will not run for the federal seat of Barton, citing family commitments". news.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  26. ^ "Labor gives Barton seat to McMahon". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 April 2013.
  27. ^ Wells, Jamelle (31 March 2014). "ICAC inquiry: Former NSW premier Morris Iemma says Obeid asked him to stop Sydney Water 'obstructing' AWH". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  28. ^ "Witness list for the Operation Jasper Segment" (PDF). Operations Indus/Jasper/Acacia Public Inquiry (Press release). Independent Commission Against Corruption. 9 November 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  29. ^ Wells, Jamelle (13 November 2012). "Iemma tells ICAC of relationship between Obeid, Macdonald" (transcript, video, audio). ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  30. ^ Nicholls, Sean (20 November 2014). "Former Labor minister Ian Macdonald prosecuted over Doyles Creek mine deal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  31. ^ "ICAC: Former NSW ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald to be prosecuted after corruption findings". ABC News. Australia. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  32. ^ Aston, Heath (1 June 2015). "Morris Iemma sets sights on Federal Parliament with run for Barton seat". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  33. ^ Needham, Kirsty (2 July 2016). "Australian federal election 2016: Linda Burney makes history for Labor". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre (MIISC)". Parks, sporting & community facilities. City of Canterbury. 2011. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  35. ^ "Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre". Centres. YMCA NSW. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
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New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Hurstville
1991–1999 		District abolished
Preceded by Member for Lakemba
1999–2008 		Succeeded by
Political offices
New title Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship
1999–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Public Works and Services
1999–2003 		Post abolished
Preceded by Minister for Sport and Recreation
2001–2003 		Succeeded byas Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
Preceded by Minister for Health
2003–2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Premier of New South Wales
2005–2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Treasurer of New South Wales
2005–2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Citizenship
2005–2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for State Development
2006–2007 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the New South Wales Labor Party
2005–2008 		Succeeded by
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