Graham Annesley
Graham Annesley (born 26 May 1957)[1] is an Australian former politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Miranda for the Liberal Party from 2011 to 2013. From 3 April 2011 to 28 August 2013 he was the Minister for Sport and Recreation in the O'Farrell Government.
Graham Annesley | |
---|---|
Minister for Sport and Recreation | |
In office 3 April 2011 – 28 August 2013 | |
Premier | Barry O'Farrell |
Preceded by | Kevin Greene |
Succeeded by | Gabrielle Upton |
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Miranda | |
In office 26 March 2011 – 28 August 2013 | |
Preceded by | Barry Collier |
Succeeded by | Barry Collier |
Majority | 21.0% (2011) |
Personal details | |
Born | 26 May 1957 |
Nationality | Australian |
Political party | Liberal Party |
Domestic partner | Erica Clark |
Children | Two |
Residence | Sylvania, New South Wales |
Occupation | Sport administrator |
Annesley is the former chief executive officer of the Gold Coast Titans team in the National Rugby League. Annesley is a former chief operating officer of the National Rugby League, and a former leading rugby league referee.
Rugby league
Annesley commenced his rugby league career with the Parramatta District Rugby League Referees Association. Starting as a 13-year-old referee,[2] Annesley also undertook later administrative roles in the Association, including Secretary (1979–1980) and President (1985–1988).[3] He was elected as a Life Member of the Association in 1984.[4]
Rising through the refereeing ranks, Annesley became a first grade referee in 1982. Between 1982 and 1997 he controlled 244 first-grade matches and six finals matches. He is ranked number 12 in the list of all-time first grade matches refereed.[5]
Annesley's notable representative appointments include the 1994 State of Origin and test matches between Great Britain and Australia, also in 1994.[6]
Annesley's business career included appointments with DHL Worldwide Express, McWilliams Wines, Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) and the Roads and Traffic Authority. He became a full-time sports administrator in 1995 as director of football for the NRL, promoted to chief operating officer in 2002.[2]
Annesley is credited with introducing the video referee system in 1996.[7]
Away from rugby league, Annesley is an Australia Day ambassador for Liverpool Shire Council.[2][8]
Politics
Pre-selected by the Liberal Party to contest Miranda at the 2007 state election, Annesley was defeated by the sitting Labor member Barry Collier by a margin of 603 votes.[9] He again contested the seat at the March 2011 elections and was elected, receiving a swing of 21.8% in the traditionally Liberal seat, winning 71.0% of the vote on a two-party preferred basis.[10] As Collier retired at the election, Annesley's main competitor was Therese Cook, representing Labor.
Annesley was subsequently appointed Minister for Sport and Recreation in the O'Farrell–Stoner coalition government.[11][12][13] On 28 August 2013 he announced his resignation as Minister for Sport and Recreation and his intention to resign from Parliament to become CEO of the Gold Coast Titans, triggering a 2013 Miranda by-election on 19 October.[14] In his resignation speech to parliament, Annesley said he never regarded himself as a politician and that there were many aspects of politics he did not care for. He said that he had always felt more at home as a sports administrator.[15][16]
In October 2013, Annesley said that he arranged for Telstra to put in mobile reception, six months prior and without charge, for a new property at Yowie Bay he bought with his wife, claiming he couldn't do his job as a minister otherwise.[17]
References
- Reilly, Tom (7 May 2011). "Newsmaker Graham Annesley". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- "Graham Annesley". Australia Day Ambassadors. Australia Day Council of NSW. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- "Past Executive Committee Members". History. Parramatta District Rugby League Referees' Association. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- "Past Honours". History. Parramatta District Rugby League Referees' Association. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- "Referees 1939–2013". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- Hadfield, Dave (24 October 1994). "Rugby League: Edwards left on tenterhooks". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- Jessup, Peter (17 July 1999). "Rugby: Only time before video used". New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- "Irving honoured". Warren Advocate. Fairfax Media. 27 January 2010. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- "State Electoral District of Miranda". 2007 State Election Results. New South Wales Electoral Commission. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- Green, Antony (4 April 2011). "Miranda". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
- "Mr Graham Annesley (1957- )". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- Rothfield, Phil (3 April 2011). "Annesley will get to referee all sports now". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- "New faces in Barry O'Farrell's Cabinet". The Australian. News Limited. AAP. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
- Graham Annesley, Minister for Sport and Recreation (28 August 2013). "Resignation of Minister for Sport and Recreation". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). New South Wales: Legislative Assembly. p. 22932. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- Barry O'Farrell announces Sports Minister Graham Annesley has resigned: Daily Telegraph 28 August 2013
- Graham Annesley resigns from NSW ministry to take up role as Gold Coast Titans chief: ABC 29 August 2013
- Former MP Greg Annesley sends the wrong signal to the electorate by quitting parliament early, The Australian, 18 October 2013
External links
- Graham Annesley, MP – Liberal Party.
- "Interview: Graham Annesley". ABC Radio Grandstand. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 September 2008. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- Maiden Speech – Parliament of New South Wales.
New South Wales Legislative Assembly | ||
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Preceded by Barry Collier |
Member for Miranda 2011–2013 |
Succeeded by Barry Collier |