Kevin Conolly

Kevin Francis Conolly (born 31 December 1958),[1] an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Riverstone for the Liberal Party since 2011.[2]

Kevin Conolly

MP
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Riverstone
Assumed office
26 March 2011
Preceded byJohn Aquilina
Personal details
Born (1958-12-31) 31 December 1958
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLiberal Party
ResidenceBligh Park, New South Wales
Alma materUniversity of New South Wales
Australian Catholic University
OccupationEducation officer
Websitehttp://www.kevinconollymp.com.au

Early years and background

Conolly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales, and was later awarded a Diploma of Education and Graduate Diploma of Religious Education from the Council for Christian Education in Schools. Conolly subsequently graduated with a Graduate Diploma in Education (Administration) from the Australian Catholic University.[3] He worked for the Catholic Education Office in the Diocese of Parramatta before entering state politics.

Political career

In September 1999, he was elected to the Hawkesbury City Council. From 2001 to 2004 he served as deputy mayor, while still working as a teaching administrator.[4] Conolly contested the 1999 state election, but was unsuccessful in winning the seat of Londonderry for the Liberal Party.[5]

In 2007 and again in 2011, Conolly contested the normally safe Labor seat of Riverstone in north-western Sydney.[6] In March 2011, Conolly was elected with a two-party swing of 30.2 points—almost unheard of in Australian politics. He ultimately won the seat with 70.2 per cent of the vote, turning it into a comfortably safe Liberal seat in one stroke. His primary-vote margin was actually enough for him to take the seat without the need for preferences.[5] It was the first time in the seat's 30-year history that the seat was not held by Labor. Before the election, the sitting member, John Aquilina, who had held the seat since 1991, announced his retirement.

References
  1. Kevin Conolly
  2. "Mr Kevin Francis Conolly, MP". Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  3. "Kevin Conolly". Member for Riverstone. Liberal Party. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  4. "Kevin Conolly". Councillors – Biographical details. Hawkesbury City Council. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  5. Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Riverstone". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  6. "Liberal Kevin Conolly's big swing at Riverstone seat". Rouse Hill Times. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
John Aquilina		 Member for Riverstone
2011–present		 Incumbent
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