| Jodi McKay | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Newcastle |
|
| In office 24 March 2007 – 26 March 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Bryce Gaudry |
| Succeeded by | Tim Owen |
| Minister for Tourism | |
| In office 8 September 2008 – 28 March 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Matt Brown |
| Succeeded by | George Souris |
| Minister for the Hunter | |
| In office 8 September 2008 – 28 March 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Michael Costa |
| Succeeded by | Mike Gallacher |
| Minister for Science and Medical Research | |
| In office 11 November 2008 – 28 March 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Tony Stewart |
| Succeeded by | Jillian Skinner |
| Minister for Women | |
| In office 8 December 2008 – 28 March 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Verity Firth |
| Succeeded by | Pru Goward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 August 1969 Gloucester, New South Wales |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Profession | TV news presenter |
| Website | NSW Parliament website |
Jodi Leyanne McKay (born 16 August 1969 at Gloucester, New South Wales) is a former Australian politician who represented the electoral district of Newcastle in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 2007 until her defeat at the New South Wales state election, 2011.
McKay was the Minister for Tourism and the Minister for the Hunter in the Rees and Keneally governments.
Prior to her election, McKay was the newsreader for Newcastle's NBN Television nightly news. She also served as an honorary director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the Hunter Manufacturers' Association.
McKay was narrowly chosen to be Labor's candidate for Newcastle over sitting member Bryce Gaudry, after Premier Morris Iemma personally intervened to ensure her selection.[1] The election itself became a tight three-way contest between McKay, Gaudry and Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate, with McKay winning on Gaudry's preferences.[2] In April 2008 she was criticised by the NSW Greens for failing to declare a political donation from a local developer to help pay for printing costs during her campaign. The donor was at the time seeking support from Planning Minister Frank Sartor for a development at Medowie, near Newcastle airport.[3]
McKay was appointed Minister for Tourism and Minister for the Hunter on 8 September 2008. She immediately distanced herself from the style of her predecessor Michael Costa and committed to greater engagement with local government and community groups.[4] Her appointment was welcomed by tourism and business groups including the Hunter Chamber of Commerce.[4]
On 31 March McKay conceded the election race for Newcastle in a statement to the press that: "The people have had their say... I accept the decision of the Newcastle community that they do not want me to continue in this role."[5] The concession came after Labor recorded a 31.0% share of the primary vote at the polls to the Liberal's 36.4% and independent Tate's 11.5 and the Greens 14.6%. On a two party preferred basis this translated into 52.4% for the Liberal's Tim Owen and 47.6% for the defeated McKay.
| Parliament of New South Wales | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bryce Gaudry |
Member for Newcastle 2007 – 2011 |
Succeeded by Tim Owen |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Matt Brown |
Minister for Tourism 2008 – 2011 |
Succeeded by George Souris as Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing |
| Preceded by Michael Costa |
Minister for the Hunter 2008 – 2011 |
Succeeded by Mike Gallacher |
| Preceded by Tony Stewart |
Minister for Science and Medical Research 2008 – 2011 |
Succeeded by Jillian Skinner as Minister for Medical Research |
| Preceded by Verity Firth |
Minister for Women 2008 – 2011 |
Succeeded by Pru Goward |