Richard Torbay

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George Richard Torbay (born 26 March 1961) is an Australian politician. He has been an independent member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly since 1999, representing the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales. He has consistently recorded one of the highest primary vote percentages of any candidate in state elections. Richard was elected on 24 March 2007 again for the electorate for Northern Tablelands for his third term. He accepted an offer by Premier Morris Iemma to become Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, a position usually filled by a member of the governing party.^[1] Richard Torbay has long been accused as being a defacto Australian Labor Party MP, an accusation that he denies.

He was elected to Armidale City Council in 1991 and was a Councillor 1991–98. He was the Deputy Mayor 1992–93, and Mayor 1995–98. He also established Armidale City Council: Public Relations Committee in 1993 and Youth Council in 1993.

His involvement in local government also extended to being Chairman New England Local Government Group 1997–98; Chairman NSW Country Mayor's Association. 1997–98 and Member Water Supply and Resources Committee of the Local Government and Shires Association 1996.

Richard Torbay was educated at Kingswood High School. He is married to Rosemary and has three children (Leah, Angie and Joel).

[edit] Career

UNE Union - University of New England. Armidale

Chief Executive Officer 1992–1999
Acting Warden 1991–1992
Deputy Warden 1990–1991
Commercial Services Manager
Catering Manager 1986–1988
Catering Supervisor 1985–1986
House Manager 1985–1985
Storeman 1983–1985
Kitchenhand/2nd Cook 1980–1983

[edit] Community activity

Member Regional Investment Task Force.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Hunter Region Advisory Committee, and Water Advisory Council.
Member of NSW Country Task Force 1996,
Member of the Council of the University of New England 1996.
Member Catering Institute of Australia; Australian Institute of Management.
Member of Armidale Central Rotary Club.
Patron of Armidale District Chamber of Commerce.