Steve Whan

Steven James Robert "Steve" Whan /ˈstiːv ˈwən/ (born 11 February 1964), an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, appointed in June 2011 to fill a casual vacancy.^[2] Whan represented the electoral district of Monaro in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the Australian Labor Party from 2003 until his defeat at the 2011 election. Whan served as Minister of Emergency Services, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Rural Affairs in the Rees and Keneally ministries from 2009 to 2011.

Early career and background

Born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, the son of Bob Whan, a former member for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro, Whan was educated at the Canberra College of Advanced Education (now University of Canberra). He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, majoring in Economics and Politics. In 1998, he received a Graduate Certificate in Management from the University of Western Sydney.

Whan lives in Queanbeyan with his wife and two children.^[1]

From 1987 to 1988 Whan was Assistant Private Secretary to John Brown, Federal Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories. He later worked for then Senator Bob McMullan until 1992. Between 1992 and 1994, Whan worked for Ros Kelly, Federal Minister for Environment, Sport and Territories.

He worked for the Australian Sports Commission from 1994 to 2001 and subsequently became a consultant on community relations and sport before being preselected as a candidate for the New South Wales Legislative Council.

Political career

Representing Labor, Whan contested Eden-Monaro at the 1998^[3] and 2001^[4] federal elections; however was unsuccessful on both occasions.

Whan was elected as the Member for Monaro at the 2003 NSW State election.^[5] As the Local Member he  secured funding for the rebuilding of Queanbeyan and Bombala Hospitals. He also guaranteed record levels of funding to the Kings Highway, increased local Rural Fire Service staffing numbers and new fire trucks as well as funding to several local community organisations Whan was first appointed to the Public Accounts Committee in 2003 and the Vic-Chairman of the PAC in 2005. From 2007 he was also appointed to the Standing Committee on Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities.

In 2007 he was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries, Regional Development & Rural Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary for Assisting the Minister for Planning.

In January 2009 he was elected to the Rees Ministry and was appointed as Minister for Emergency Services, Small Business and Rural Affairs. In December 2009 when Kristina Keneally became Premier he was made Minister for Primary Industry, Minister for Emergency Services and Rural Affairs.  During 2010 he also added Mineral Resources and Forestry to the Primary Industries portfolio responsibilities. 

As Minister for Primary Industries he sought assistance for farmers and producers in NSW who were suffering one of the State’s longest running droughts. Whan guaranteed stock and fodder subsidies for farmers and drought declaration assistance. Whan also oversaw the introduction of kilojoule labelling  for fast-food chain restaurants so customers were aware of the kilojoule content of the products they were purchasing. 

At the 2011 election, Whan was defeated as Member for Monaro by a margin of 2 per cent.^[6]with one of the lowest swings in the state. Less than three months later, he was appointed to the Legislative Council to fill a casual vacancy, succeeding Tony Kelly.^[7] He was immediately promoted to the shadow cabinet, becoming the shadow minister for Resources and Primary Industries, Shadow Special Minister of State, shadow minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing.^[8]

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