Rob Stokes

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The Honourable
Rob Stokes
MP
MP Rob Stokes 2014 (cropped).jpg
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Pittwater
Assumed office
24 March 2007
Preceded by Alex McTaggart
Majority 25.4 points (2015)
Minister for Planning
Assumed office
2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Pru Goward
Minister for the Environment
In office
23 April 2014 – 2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Robyn Parker
Succeeded by Mark Speakman
Minister for Heritage
In office
23 April 2014 – 2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Robyn Parker
Succeeded by Mark Speakman
Assistant Minister for Planning
In office
23 April 2014 – 2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by new title
Succeeded by Mark Speakman
Minister for the Central Coast
In office
6 May 2014 – 2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Mike Gallacher
Succeeded by abolished
Personal details
Born (1974-01-17) 17 January 1974 (age 50)
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) Sophie Stokes
Alma mater Macquarie University
Occupation Lawyer
Website Parliamentary webpage

Robert "Rob" Gordon Stokes MP (born 17 January 1974), an Australian politician, is the New South Wales Minister for Planning since April 2015 in the second Baird government.[1] He is also a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Pittwater for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2007. Stokes has previously served as the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Heritage, the Assistant Minister for Planning, and the Minister for the Central Coast during 2014 and 2015 in the first Baird government.[2][3]

Early life

Stokes grew up in Mona Vale. He attended Shore School and obtained his Higher School Certificate in 1991.[4] He obtained a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Laws and a PhD at Macquarie University; a Diploma of Bible Studies (at the Ministry Training College in Oxford Falls), and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.[5]

Early career

Stokes was an associate with the law firm David Begg & Associates in Martin Place, Sydney. He also worked in a number of other legal firms including one at Mona Vale.[6][7] He subsequently became a lecturer in the Division of Law at Macquarie University.[8] He became a member of the Young Lawyers Association of New South Wales and was a member of both the Environmental Law and CLE Committees. He became a Presidential Nominee in 2004 and was elected to Executive Council at the 2004 Annual Assembly.[9]

Political career

Stokes was a policy advisor to Liberal Opposition Leader John Brogden, the Member for Pittwater. When Brogden resigned in controversial circumstances,[10] the 2005 by-election was won by independent candidate Alex McTaggart in what many described as a shock result.[11][12] Less than two years later, Stokes regained the seat for the Liberals at the 2007 general election.[13] He was elected with a swing of 26.9 per cent, and won the seat with 59.4 per cent of the vote on a two-party preferred basis.[14]

After the election, Stokes established his electorate office in Mona Vale. Stokes paid tribute to John Brogden in his inaugural speech to the NSW Parliament on 31 May 2007.[citation needed]

At the 2011 general election, Stokes was re-elected with a swing of 21.7 points, gaining 84.5 per cent of the two-party vote. Stokes' main competitor was the Greens Jonathan King.[15] Following the election, Stokes was appointed as NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy in the O'Farrell government.[16]

Due to the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as Premier,[17] and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle by Mike Baird, the new Liberal Leader,[2] Stokes was appointed as Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, and Assistant Minister for Planning and appointed as a member of cabinet.[18][5] Two weeks later, following the resignation of Mike Gallacher, Stokes was appointed as Minister for the Central Coast.[3]

Following the 2015 state election, Stokes was sworn in as the Minister for Planning on 2 April 2015 in the second Baird government.[1]

References

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Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by Member for Pittwater
2007 – present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Planning
2015 – present
Incumbent
Preceded by Minister for the Environment
2014 – 2015
Succeeded by
Mark Speakman
Minister for Heritage
2014 – 2015
New title Assistant Minister for Planning
2014 – 2015
Preceded by Minister for the Central Coast
2014 – 2015
Succeeded by
portfolio abolished