Michael Photios

Michael Stephen Photios (born 26 September 1960) was an Australian politician representing the seats of Ryde (1988–91) and Ermington (1991–99) in the New South Wales Parliament for the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party.^[1]

Liberal Party activity

Photios joined the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party in November 1975 holding many party executive roles including New South Wales Young Liberal Vice President from 1980–81 and then President from 1982–84. He held and holds various positions within the Liberal Party, he has held the positions of NSW Vice President and Urban Representative on the Liberal Party State Executive, and is a leader of the Moderate faction of the party known as "The Group".^[1]

Photios was Minister for Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Justice from 26 May 1993 to 4 Apr 1995 in the Government of John Fahey.^[1]

In 1999, Ermington was abolished, and Photios opted to transfer to a recreated Ryde. Although Ryde was a marginally Liberal seat on paper, Phtois lost to the former Labor member for Gladesville, John Watkins, amid Labor's convincing victory that year.

On 21 October 2009, the Daily Telegraph published a story alleging that Photios was dating a younger woman, Kristina Iantchev (now Kristina Photios). At the time, Photios, 50, responded to the accusations reportedly that "There is too much mediocrity and boredom in politics...we should all get a life...If I've been known to go to a party or two, I'm happy to go to another. My advice would be for everyone to try it".^[2]

The Sydney Morning Herald, in a feature on Liberal Leader Barry O'Farrell (dated 19 February 2011), described Photios as a key member of both O'Farrell's kitchen cabinet and inner circle going into Government.^[3]

Personal life

Photios was born to Henry Basil Photios and Helen Marjorie Photios. He was educated at Beecroft Primary School and The King's School, Parramatta from 1972–78. Photios married Janice Mullcay on 23 April 1994, and had two children. After five years, Michael separated from Janice and married fashion designer Mela Purdie, with whom he has one son.^[1] Michael and Mela separated in 2007 and later divorced. In late 2010, Michael announced his engagement to Kristina Iantchev and they married on 2 October 2011 in Phuket, Thailand. Michael and Kristina have two children together.^[4][5]

References

General

• The Liberals, the NSW Division 1945-2000 Author: Ian Hancock Federation Press 2007
• The Education of a Young Liberal Author: John Hyde Page Melbourne University Press 2006

Citations