| Russell Northe | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Morwell |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 25 November 2006 |
|
| Preceded by | Brendan Jenkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 February 1966 Traralgon, Victoria |
| Political party | National Party of Australia |
| Profession | Business Manager; Footballer; Football Coach |
| Website | russellnorthe.com.au |
Russell Northe, born 6 February 1966, is an Australian politician and a current member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.[1] Prior to winning preselection by The Nationals for the seat of Morwell, he was a local Australian rules footballer.[1][2]
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Northe was born in Traralgon, Victoria and attended Traralgon High School, completing Year 11 in 1982.[1] In 2006, Northe completed a Certificate IV in Business.[1]
Utilising repetitive television advertising and campaigning on the issues of workers rights and bicycle paths, Northe was able to capitalise on divisions within some local branches of the Australian Labor Party to win the seat.[3] Northe doubled The Nationals primary vote, secured with the aid of Liberal Party and ex-Labor independent preferences.[4]
This win also served to help secure The Nationals future as a political party in Victoria.[5] Russell Northe joined fellow parliamentarians Peter Ryan and Peter Hall as The Nationals state parliamentary representatives for Gippsland.
At the 2010 state election, Northe achieved the biggest pro-Coalition swing in the state to transform Morwell into one of the National Party's safest Victorian seats, with a two-party-preferred margin of 16.29% against Labor. Northe won Morwell on the primary vote, polling 56.24% in his own right, and won every polling booth except the small Yallourn North booth, where Labor recorded a narrow majority. With the Liberal/Nationals Coalition winning government, Northe was also appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business.
Northe has served on the Parliament's Rural and Regional Committee since 2007.[1]
On 9 September 2008, in relation to the Abortion Law Reform Bill which sought to decriminalise abortion, Northe stated that he "respect(ed) the contributions of other members, their thoughts and how they have reached their conclusions on this (bill). However, in summary, I do not support this bill".[6] Northe also opposed the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, which allowed lesbians and spinsters to access IVF.
| Victorian Legislative Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Brendan Jenkins |
Member for Morwell 2006–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |