Greg Smith (New South Wales politician)

Gregory Eugene Smith SC (born 26 November 1947), an Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Epping for the Liberal Party from 2007 to 2015.[1] Smith served as the Attorney General of New South Wales and as the Minister for Justice in the O'Farrell government between 2011 and 2014.[2]

The Honourable Greg Smith SC
Attorney General of New South Wales
In office 3 April 2011 – 23 April 2014
Premier	Barry O'Farrell Mike Baird
Preceded by	John Hatzistergos
Succeeded by	Brad Hazzard
Minister for Justice
In office 3 April 2011 – 23 April 2014
Premier	Barry O'Farrell Mike Baird
Preceded by	John Hatzistergos (Justice) Barbara Perry (Juvenile Justice)
Succeeded by	Brad Hazzard
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Epping
In office 24 March 2007 – 6 March 2015
Preceded by	Andrew Tink
Succeeded by	Damien Tudehope
Personal details
Born	(1947-11-26) 26 November 1947
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party
Children	5
Residence	Epping, New South Wales
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Profession	Politician, Barrister

Early career and background

Born to parents Ted and Noreen, Smith grew up in the Sydney suburbs of Strathfield, Beverley Hills, Coogee, and Maroubra and the regional town of Goulburn. He was educated at St. Joseph's Primary School, Goulburn and Marcellin College, Randwick and graduated from the University of Sydney Law School with a Bachelor of Laws.

In 1987, Smith became a public prosecutor, and he eventually became Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions. He was appointed as a Senior Counsel before the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Smith, a Roman Catholic, was the president of pro–life right to life organisation called Right to Life prior to entering politics.[3]

Political career

In 2006, Smith gained Liberal Party endorsement against Pru Goward for the seat of Epping to replace retiring Liberal member, Andrew Tink. Smith was elected as the Member for Epping at the 2007 state election.

Smith voiced his opposition to a relationships register, passed by the NSW Parliament in May 2010. The register gave recognition to unmarried couples, opposite- and same-sex couples. Smith said: "The passing of this bill will be another increment in the undermining and destruction of marriage and the traditional family." Former NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos, of the Labor Party, speculated that Smith had previously objected to putting same-sex couples on the same level as heterosexual couples.[4]

Following the 2011 state election, Smith was appointed Attorney General and Minister for Justice in the O'Farrell–Stoner coalition government.[1]

After the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as Premier,[5] and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle in April 2014 by Mike Baird,[2] Smith was dropped from the ministry.[1][6] In July that year, Smith announced his retirement from politics and that he would not seek Liberal endorsement as a candidate for Epping at the 2015 election.[7]

Personal life

Smith has been married for over 35 years and is the father of five children. Consistent with his Roman Catholic faith, he is a former President of the New South Wales Right to Life Association[8] and the St Thomas More Society.[9]

Smith is a keen cricket and Rugby League fan and has supported Western Suburbs Magpies (now the Wests Tigers) and the Eastwood Rugby Union Club. Smith is also a lead singer of a band called The Tokens[10] and he has also stated that he would have followed singing career had he not been a lawyer.[11]

References

1. "The Hon. Gregory Eugene Smith". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
2. Nicholls, Sean (22 April 2014). "Mike Baird's cabinet reshuffle a preparation for next election". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
4. Tatnell, Paul (13 May 2010). "Register puts gays on level with pets and cars, says Lib". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media.
5. "Barry O'Farrell quits as NSW Premier over memory fail". The Australian. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
6. "Mike Baird's NSW cabinet". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
7. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/news/epping-liberal-mp-and-former-attorney-general-greg-smith-will-not-seek-reelection-in-march/story-fngr8gwi-1226990908539?nk=1387f0e34e349328f08d895e0c173f53
8. Mark, David (15 September 2006). "Goward and Smith wage war over Epping". PM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
9. Mitchell, Alex (24 September 2006). "Register puts gays on level with pets and cars, says Lib". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media.
10. Aston, Heath (20 March 2010). "Singing a different tune". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
11. Tim, Shaw (20 March 2011). "Legal Matters" (mp3). Radio 2UE. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 May 2011.

 

Legal offices
Preceded by Martin Blackmore	Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions 2002 – 2006	Succeeded by David Frearson
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Andrew Tink	Member for Epping 2007–2015	Succeeded by Damien Tudehope
Political offices
Preceded by John Hatzistergos	Attorney General of New South Wales 2011–2014	Succeeded by Brad Hazzard
Preceded by Phil Costa as Minister for Corrective Services	Minister for Justice 2011–2014	Succeeded by Brad Hazzard
Preceded by Barbara Perry as Minister for Juvenile Justice