Craig Knowles

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Craig John Knowles (b. 27 February 1959) was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 2005.

Knowles' parents were Marie and Stan Knowles, member for Ingleburn from 1981 to 1988 and Macquarie Fields from 1988 to 1990. He was born in Liverpool, New South Wales and educated at Liverpool Boys High School, Sydney College of Technical and Further Education. He worked in the New South Wales Department of Business and Consumer Affairs from 1988 and was the Western Sydney Co-ordinator in the Office of State Development of New South Wales Premiers' Department from 1987 to 1988. He was an alderman on Liverpool City Council from 1982 to 1994 and Mayor from 1986 until 1988.

[edit] Political career

Knowles served as an Australian Labor Party member for Macquarie Fields from May 1990 to May 1991, Moorebank from 1991 to 1999 and Macquarie Fields from 1999 to 2005. He was Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning from 1995 to 1999, Minister for Health from 1999 to 2003 and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Natural Resources from 2003 to 2005.

Knowles introduced a number of changes during his time as Planning Minister. These included the introduction of private certification of buildings. Another controversial change was the introduction of Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, which increased the powers of the Minister in approving major developments and superseded heritage and environmental protection legislation.

Knowles' political career was damaged by allegations raised by nurse Nola Fraser in relation to deaths at Campbelltown and Camden hospitals when he was Minister for Health. An Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into Knowles' behaviour cleared the minister in September 2005, but he had already been moved from the health portfolio.[1] He was also damaged by the Orange Grove affair, as a supporter of a retail outlet, which was later found to have been opened in contravention of zoning regulations in his electorate, while he was Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning. In April 2005, he was charged with drink-driving at a random breath test, with a low-level over the limit reading.[2]

Knowles had been considered a possible successor to Bob Carr as Premier but declined to be nominated when Carr retired in September 2005. Knowles resigned in August 2005, sparking the 2005 Macquarie Fields by-election. He was ultimately succeeded by ALP candidate Steven Chaytor.[3]

[edit] After politics

After his retirement from politics, Knowles became a consultant and political lobbyist[4].

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ ICAC makes no findings of corrupt conduct in relation to the Hon. Craig Knowles MP. Parliament of New South Wales (13 April 2005). Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  2. ^ Kidman, John; Alex Mitchell. "Over-limit Knowles blows his chances", April 3, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-03-02. 
  3. ^ The Hon. Craig John Knowles (1959 - ). Members of Parliament. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  4. ^ Catharine Munro. "Former planning boss goes back to the office to lobby", The Sydney Morning Herald, May 29, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-29. 
Persondata
NAME Knowles, Craig John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION New South Wales politician
DATE OF BIRTH 27 February 1959
PLACE OF BIRTH Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH