Preceded by Judy Hopwood Nationality Australian Name Matt Kean | Majority 12.1 points (2011) Occupation Politician Role Bassist | |
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Political party Liberal Party of Australia Alma mater University of Technology Sydney Music group Bring Me The Horizon (Since 2004) Similar People Lee Malia, Matthew Nicholls, Jordan Fish, Curtis Ward, Jona Weinhofen Profiles | ||
Matt kean finishing antivist
Matthew John "Matt" Kean MP, an Australian politician, is the New South Wales Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation since January 2017 in the Berejiklian government. He is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Hornsby for the Liberal Party since 2011.
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Early years and background
Kean grew up in Wahroonga area and was educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview before attaining a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney. He later completed a graduate diploma at the Institute of Chartered Accountants. While at university, he was elected to the UTS Student Representative Council and as the SRC Executive Member for the Haymarket Campus. Kean has been a member of the Liberal Party since 2001, and in 2008, he was elected vice-president of the NSW Young Liberals. During the 2003 State election campaign, Matt Kean worked as an advisor for the Leader of the Opposition, John Brogden. He subsequently worked for the Hon. Catherin Cusack MLC as an advisor while she was Shadow Minister for Juvenile Justice and Women.
Prior to entering Parliament, Matt was a Manager at Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Matt is also an avid cricketer, and long-time member of the Berowra Cricket Club.
Political career
Following announcement of the retirement of the sitting member, Judy Hopwood, Kean contested pre-selection for the safe Liberal seat against Hornsby Mayor, Nick Berman, and Hornsby Councillor, Steve Russell. Kean won endorsement and Berman announced his decision to resign from the Liberal Party and run against Kean as an independent candidate at the 2011 State election. At the election, Kean was elected, however the party suffered a swing of 3.5 points. Kean won the seat with 62.1 per cent of the two-party vote with Berman being his main contestor.
Matt Kean used his inaugural speech to call on the government to spend as much money on suicide prevention campaigns as it does on road safety campaigns. His call for the $10 million campaign received support from Professor Ian Hickey and the Minister for Mental Health Kevin Humphries. He has hosted an annual Youth Forum in conjunction with Black Dog institute that aimed at educating students and teachers about issues relating to mental health; and has successfully campaigned for the construction of a new mental health inpatient facility in Hornsby.
Following the resignation of Mike Baird as Premier, Gladys Berejiklian was elected as Liberal leader and sworn in as Premier. The Berejiklian ministry was subsequently formed with Kean sworn in as the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation with effect from 30 January 2017.