Sarah Mitchell

The Honourable
Sarah Mitchell
MLC
Minister for Early Childhood Education
Assumed office
30 January 2017
Premier Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by Leslie Williams
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Assumed office
30 January 2017
Premier Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by Leslie Williams
Assistant Minister for Education
Premier Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by Leslie Williams
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
Assumed office
26 March 2011
Personal details
Born Sarah Johnston
(1982-05-10) 10 May 1982
Gunnedah, New South Wales
Political party The Nationals
Spouse(s) Anthony Mitchell
Alma mater University of New South Wales
Website The Hon. Sarah Mitchell (née Johnston), MLC

Sarah Mitchell (née Johnston; born 10 May 1982), an Australian politician, is the New South Wales Minister for Early Childhood Education, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and the Assistant Minister for Education since January 2017 in the Berejiklian government.[1] Mitchell has been a Nationals member of the New South Wales Legislative Council since March 2011.

Background and early career

Mitchell was born in Gunnedah, and moved to Grafton as a child. She moved back to Gunnedah while in high school, graduating from Gunnedah High School in 1999. She moved to Sydney in 2001, and studied politics and international relations at the University of New South Wales. Mitchell later moved back to Gunnedah, where she worked as an electorate officer for former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson. She continued working for Mark Coulton, Anderson's successor as local MP, upon Anderson's 2007 retirement.[2]

Political career

She was later elected president of the federal Young Nationals and chairman of the state Young Nationals, positions which she held until her election to parliament.[3] She was preselected for the eleventh position on the Coalition Legislative Council ticket for the 2011 state election in April 2010; while normally unwinnable, the near-record size of the Coalition's victory saw her emerge victorious for the last seat in an extremely close race with far-right independent Pauline Hanson.[4][5] She married Anthony Mitchell in April 2011, and took her husband's name; she had been elected two weeks before under her maiden name of Johnston.[6][7]

She has served on several standing and select committees, and currently sits on the General Purpose Standing Committee No. 3. During her first years in Parliament, Sarah chaired the General Purpose Standing Committee No. 4, which undertook an inquiry into medicinal cannabis, resulting in a report unanimously in favour of the provision of medicinal cannabis for the terminally ill.

Mitchell was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health and Western NSW on 24 April 2015. Following the resignation of Mike Baird as Premier,[8] Gladys Berejiklian was elected as Liberal leader and sworn in as Premier.[9][10][11] The Berejiklian ministry was subsequently formed with Mitchell sworn in as the Minister for Early Childhood Education, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and the Assistant Minister for Education with effect from 30 January 2017.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Refreshed NSW cabinet sworn in". Sky News. Australia. AAP. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  2. ↑ Our Senior Office-Bearers: Sarah Mitchell MLC The Nationals NSW. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  3. ↑ The Nationals Team: Sarah Johnston NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "Young Nats chair on preselection ticket". Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  5. ↑ Declaration of Poll NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  6. ↑ Coulton sends his congratulations to Upper House-elect Sarah Johnston Mark Coulton MP. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  7. ↑ The Hon. Sarah Mitchell (née Johnston), MLC Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  8. ↑ Jacques, Owen (19 January 2017). "Baird resigns: NSW Premier to quit top job and Parliament". The Satellite. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  9. ↑ "Swearing-In of The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, the 45th Premier of New South Wales, and The Honourable John Barilaro MP, Deputy Premier". Vice Regal Program. Governor of New South Wales. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  10. ↑ "Ministers". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  11. ↑ Clennell, Andrew (26 January 2017). "Premier Gladys Berejiklian plans major reshuffle for cabinet". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
Political offices
Preceded by
Leslie Williams		 Minister for Early Childhood Education
2017–present 		Incumbent
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
2017–present
Assistant Minister for Education
2017–present
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