Bart Bassett

Bart Edward Bassett MP, an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the electorate of Londonderry for the Liberal Party since 26 March 2011. Bassett is a Councillor of the City of Hawkesbury since 2004 and the Mayor of the City since 2007.

Early years and background

Bassett was born and raised in western Sydney^[1] and in 1989 co-found the Australian arm of Child Flight, an Australian helicopter service dedicated to the emergency transport of sick children. As a helicopter pilot, Bassett was also Chairman of the Windsor Rd taskforce for the upgrading of the key arterial route to the north west of Sydney.^[2]

Political career

Bassett was elected to Hawkesbury Council in 2004 and became Mayor later that year. He held the post until 2006 when he became deputy mayor, until regaining the position a year later.^[2]

He first contested the seat of Londonderry at the 2007 state election gaining 34.4 per cent of the vote on first preferences,^[3] but was unsuccessful in defeating the incumbent Allan Shearan, who was representing Labor. At the 2011 election, Bassett stood again and defeated Shearan, with a swing of 18.3 per cent, winning the seat from Labor for the first time in history, and winning the seat with 62.3 per cent of the vote on a two-party preferred basis.^[4]

Bassett was charged with drink driving on 15 June 2011, having a blood alcohol level of 0.053%.^[5]

References