Kerry Chikarovski

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Kerry Anne Chikarovski (née Bartels) (Born 4 April 1956), sometimes known as 'Chicka', 'the Chik' and also 'Cherry Kickarovski', was leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, and thus was Opposition Leader.

Chikarovski was educated at the Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College, in North Sydney. She is a lawyer by training, having studied at the University of Sydney and after a brief career in private practice, went on to lecture part-time at the College of Law before entering parliament.

Following the resignation of incumbent John Dowd, Chikarovski won pre-selection for the safe Liberal seat of Lane Cove in 1991, her primary competition for which was then MLC John Hannaford. In 1992, she was appointed Minister for Consumer Affairs and Assistant Minister for Education (3 July 1992-26 May 993). In 1993, she became Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment and Minister for The Status of Women (29 May 1993 - 4 April 1995). She replaced Bruce Baird as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in December 1994 and held that post until the Liberal Party was defeated in 1995.^[1]

In 1998 she replaced Peter Collins as leader, but in 1999 she lost the state election to Labor Premier's Bob Carr in a landslide.

Despite the coalition gaining on Labor in the polls, in the lead up to the 2003 election, she continued to have low, personal approval ratings.^{[citation needed]}

John Brogden, a member of her shadow cabinet, successfully challenged her and replaced her as leader in March 2002. ^[2] She then stood down from parliament.

Kerry continues to have involvement in many community organisations including Vice-Chairwoman of St John's College, University of Sydney.^{[citation needed]}