Paul McLeay MP
My name is Paul McLeay and I live in Woronora with my wife Cassandra, daughter Holly and son Red.
Before entering Parliament, I was involved in the union movement, where I became Assistant General Secretary of the Public Service Association of NSW, and Assistant Secretary of the NSW Branch of the State Public Services Federation.
I am committed to social justice and getting the best deal for the working families of NSW. I was proud to elected to be the ALP Member for Heathcote on 22 March 2003. I am now the NSW Minister for Ports and Waterways, Minister for Mineral and Forest Resources and Minister for the Illawarra. I am also a volunteer fire fighter and President of the Bundeena Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade. I’m part of the Management Committee of Engadine District Youth Services and in the community sector I have held roles as a Director of the SGE Credit Union and Nanbaree Child Care Centre.
I am passionate about transparency and open government. I believe that as politicians we have a direct responsibility to both our electorate and the wider community. On the weekends I enjoy nothing more than getting out on the river with my wife and kids.
Ministerial Portfolios
Ports
Ports are our economic gateway to the world. Their role in our state’s prosperity can not be over estimated. Along the supply chain they support thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the state. As Ports Minister, I strive to keep Port Botany, Port Kembla and Newcastle Port growing in the most fair and efficient way possible.
This year, the Keneally Government has invested $345 million in initiatives like the Port Botany expansion, the Port Kembla Outer Harbour Master Plan and the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS). We’ve co-ordinated industry through agreements like the Hunter Coal Chain Export Framework. All of this is to ensure our thriving ports continue to grow – because more trade means more jobs and a better result for the people of NSW.
Waterways
With more and more NSW families getting out on the water, as Waterways Minister, my job is to keep our waterways safe, clean and easy to access for both commercial and recreational boaters. Working closely with the boating community, the Keneally Government re-invests revenue gained from boating licences and registrations, directly back into marine safety and extensive infrastructure across the state. Some of the safety initiatives we have recently introduced include reforming the rules about when and where to wear lifejackets, and bringing about a $5 million increase to volunteer Marine Rescue NSW funding.
In this way, the Keneally Government is striving to ensure the people of NSW get the most out of our magnificent waterways.
Mineral Resources
The most valuable resource in our mines is the people. That is why as Minister for Mineral Resources I am a working hard to ensure the industry is safe, reliable and responsible. Across NSW there are over 100,00 people directly and indirectly employed through provision of mining related services.
The NSW mining industry brings in new investment, and literally thousands of jobs to regional areas. That’s why the Keneally Government is working to enhance the environmental balance of our mining industries. By focusing on clean coal technologies to help curb greenhouse gas emissions, including technologies for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide into safe geological storage sites, we’re shoring up a safe and responsible industry for the prosperity of children to come.
Forest Resources
As Minister for Forest Resources I oversee the management of our valuable State Forests. My focus is on maximising economic activity, supporting regional jobs, protecting local communities and sustaining forests assets well into the future. I am working hard to make sure the industry proceeds in an environmentally responsible way, and in a way that looks after its workers. I am proud that NSW has a world-class timber industry which produces high-value products and supports regional employment.
The Illawarra
The Illawarra portfolio is one of only four regional ministerial portfolios across NSW. As Minister, my role is to best represent the needs of the community (including the 5 Local Government Areas of Shoalhaven, Kiama, Shellharbour, Wollongong and Wingecarribee) at the NSW Cabinet. In this capacity I am working to strengthen and diversify the region’s economy to bring new jobs to the area, as well investing in important infrastructure such as transport, roads, health and education, so the people of the Illawarra get the services they deserve.
