Belinda Neal

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Belinda Jane Neal (b. 10 January 1963) is an Australian politician. She was an Australian Labor Party Senator for New South Wales from 1994 to 1998. In the 2007 federal election she successfully contested the electorate of Robertson to become a member of Parliament in a very tight contest, claiming victory on December 5.[1]

She was chosen on 8 March 1994 to fill the casual vacancy created by the resignation of Kerry Sibraa for a term scheduled to run until 30 June 1999. She resigned on 3 September 1998 to contest the House of Representatives seat of Robertson at the 1998 general election in which she was defeated by the incumbent, Jim Lloyd of the Liberal Party.

She was preselected as the Labor candidate for Robertson for the 2007 federal election, once again against Jim Lloyd, and narrowly won.

She is married to John Della Bosca, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. They have two sons.

She is also a director of Central Coast Mariners Football Club and the Johnny Warren Football Foundation.

In June, 2008, Neal and Della Bosca were dining in Iguana's, a licensed venue in Gosford when an argument erupted. [2] This incident came within a fortnight after Neal was caused to apologise to a Federal Liberal Member of Parliament, Sophie Mirabella, over a partially disputed comment by Neal to the effect that Mirabella's unborn child would be born "a demon" as a result of "impure thoughts". [3]

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has indicated that Neal will undergo counselling for anger management. [4] [5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Labor takes seat of Robertson. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2007-12-05). Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  2. ^ "Club offers apology after NSW MP flags legal action", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2008-06-08. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
  3. ^ Pearlman, Jonathan. "Nightclub claims fan old fires", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2008-06-09. Retrieved on 2008-06-09. 
  4. ^ Welch, Dylan; Coorey, Phillip. "PM to Neal: one last chance", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2008-06-11. Retrieved on 2008-06-11. 
  5. ^ Clennell, Andrew; Welch, Dylan; Smith, Alexandra; Coorey, Phillip. "PM orders anger management for Neal", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2008-06-12. Retrieved on 2008-06-12. 
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Jim Lloyd		 Member for Robertson
2007 – present		 Incumbent
v • d • e
Current Members of the Australian House of Representatives from New South Wales
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