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Bradley (Brad) Ronald Hazzard, MLA (born. 1951) is an Australian politician and Liberal Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. Hazzard has represented the electorate of Wakehurst since 1991. ^[2] He is currently the Shadow Minister for Planning and Infrastructure in the O'Farrell Liberal/ Nationals Opposition.

Early life

Hazzard was educated at Manly Boys' High School (now Manly Selective Campus), Macquarie University where he gained a Bachelor of Arts (Science) and a Diploma of Education, the University of New South Wales where he graduated Bachelor of Laws, and the University of Sydney where he graduated Master of Laws. Hazzard was then employed as a Science teacher (1974-1977) before being admitted as a Solicitor in 1977. He has been partner in a Manly law firm since 1981.^[2]

Political career

In 1983, Hazzard joined the Liberal Party and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming regional President and a member of the State Executive from 1985-1986.^[2] Hazzard was pre-selected as Liberal Party candidate for the New South Wales State seat of Wakehurst in April 1991 ahead of the sitting Liberal Party member John Booth. He was elected to NSW Legislative Assembly in May 1991 and sat in the backbench during the Greiner and Fahey governments.^[3]

Hazzard played a role in the 'Metherell Affair', involving neighbouring Member for Davidson, Terry Metherell, who upon his resignation from the Liberal Party had expressed his interest in one of the Directorships at the new Environmental Protection Authority to Hazzard. Hazzard discussed this with Premier Greiner and Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, at Greiner's residence in February 1992. Greiner and Hazzard then discussed the matter with Metherell while in Parliament ten days later.^[4] The government subsequently created the job for Metherell, which he accepted, effectively engineering a vacancy in a seat that the Liberal Party would recover at a by-election. At the May 1992 by-election the Labor Party did not nominate a candidate, and a field of Independents and minor parties reduced the Liberal vote by 16%, and 14% after preferences, nevertheless won by Liberal candidate Andrew Humpherson.^[5]

After the Labor party won the 1995 election, Hazzard was appointed to the Opposition frontbench and has held various shadow portfolios since. Under Opposition Leader Peter Collins, Hazzard was Shadow Minister for Corrective and Emergency Services (1995-1996), Environment (1996-1997), Aboriginal Affairs (1996-2007), and Sport and Recreation (1997-1999)^[2] Under Kerry Chikarovski he was Shadow Minister for Housing (1999-2000), Corrective Services (1999-2000), Disability Services and Ageing (2000-2003), and Community Services (2000-2003). Under John Brogden he was Shadow Minister for Energy and Utilities (2003-2005), Science and Medical Research (2003-2005), Youth (2005), and Community Services (2005).^[2]

Under Peter Debnam and Barry O'Farrell he was Shadow Minister for Education (2005-2007) and was made Shadow Minister for Redfern Waterloo (2007-2008).^[2]

Hazzard is currently shadow Minister for Planning (2007- ) and Infrastructure (2008- ). As shadow minister for planning Hazzard has criticised the State Labor Government's move to take planning powers away from Local government and handing them to government-appointed planning panels and their attitudes towards development of heritage areas.^[6]

He is married with two teenage sons.^[3]

See also

• New South Wales Shadow Ministry

Notes