Paul Lynch (politician)

Paul Lynch MP
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Liverpool
In office 25 March 1995 – 3 March 2023
Preceded by	Peter Anderson
Succeeded by	Charishma Kaliyanda
Ministerial offices 2007–⁠2011 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs In office 2 April 2007 – 28 March 2011 Premier Morris Iemma Nathan Rees Kristina Keneally Preceded by Reba Meagher Succeeded by Victor Dominello Minister for Commerce, Energy, Industrial Relations and Public Sector Reform In office 21 May 2010 – 28 March 2011 Premier Kristina Keneally Preceded by John Robertson Succeeded by Greg Pearce (as Minister for Finance) Chris Hartcher (as Minister for Energy and Resources) Minister for Ageing and Disability Services In office 8 September 2008 – 21 May 2010 Premier Nathan Rees Kristina Keneally Preceded by Kristina Keneally Succeeded by Peter Primrose Minister for Local Government In office 2 April 2007 – 5 September 2008 Premier Morris Iemma Preceded by Kerry Hickey Succeeded by Barbara Perry
Personal details
Born	Paul Gerard Lynch 1954 or 1955 (age 69–70)
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor Party
Profession	Solicitor

Paul Gerard Lynch, an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Liverpool for the Labor Party from 1995 until 2023.

Early career and background

Lynch graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a LLB and was elected as a Councillor on Liverpool City Council in 1987 until his election to NSW Parliament in 1995. During this period he served as Deputy Mayor and served on the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils. Lynch originally ran for Labor Party preselection for Liverpool in 1989, but was defeated by Peter Anderson. A prominent member of the party's left-wing faction, Lynch gained his revenge on the right-wing Anderson when Anderson failed to cement support amongst his local party members and lost party pre-selection.

He is the brother in-law of former federal members of parliament Laurie Ferguson and Martin Ferguson.

Parliamentary career

Government

Elected to NSW Parliament in 1995, he was Temporary Chairman of Committees and Chair of the Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman and Police Integrity Commission. Lynch was re-elected on 24 March 2007 and was appointed Minister for Local Government, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) in the Iemma ministry. With the appointment of Nathan Rees as premier, he became the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. In the Keneally ministry, Lynch retained the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio, and took on responsibility for Industrial Relations, Commerce, Energy, and Public Sector Reform.

Opposition

Following the Labor's loss at the 2011 state election, Lynch was appointed to the John Robertson shadow ministry as Shadow Attorney General and Shadow Minister for Justice. He retained these positions in the shadow Ministry of Luke Foley. After the 2015 New South Wales state election, Lynch retained his position as Shadow Attorney General but was succeeded as Shadow Minister for Justice by Jodi McKay. He continued to retain this position in the Shadow ministries of Michael Daley and Jodi McKay but was not appointed to the Shadow Ministry of Chris Minns in 2021. He retired at the 2023 New South Wales state election less than two years later.