Adam Searle Explained

Adam Searle
Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Office1:Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
Term Start1:5 May 2015
Term End1:8 June 2021
Predecessor1:Luke Foley
Successor1:Penny Sharpe
Office2:Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
Term Start2:14 Jun 2011
Term End2:6 Mar 2015
Predecessor2:Luke Foley
Successor2:Walt Secord
Office3:Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
Termstart3:24 May 2011
Predecessor3:John Hatzistergos
Term End3:3 March 2023
Office4:20th Mayor of the City of Blue Mountains
Deputy4:Janet Mays
Term Start4:30 September 2008
Term End4:21 September 2010
Predecessor4:Jim Angel
Successor4:Daniel Myles
Office5:Councillor of the City of Blue Mountains
for Second Ward
Term Start5:11 September 1999
Term End5:8 September 2012
Party:Labor Party
Profession:Barrister

Adam Searle is an Australian barrister and Labor Party politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from May 2011 until March 2023. He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council of New South Wales between April 2015 and June 2021. He was the opposition spokesman and Shadow Minister for Industry, Resources & Energy and Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations.

Early life

Searle was born in Sydney and raised on the far north coast of NSW. He returned to Sydney to complete school and attended Sydney University.

Career

Searle joined the Australian Labor Party in 1985 and has been an active member since, holding various positions at branch and electorate council levels. He has frequently been a delegate to the NSW Annual Conference and in 2004 was a delegate to the National Conference.

He served on Blue Mountains City Council from September 1999 and was Mayor from September 2008 until September 2010. In the 2001 federal election, Searle unsuccessfully contested the federal electorate of Macquarie.

Searle worked for NSW Labor in opposition from 1994-1995 and as Chief of Staff to NSW Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Jeff Shaw, from 1995 to 2000. Adam worked on the Industrial Relations Act 1996, which was used as a model by other State Labor governments. He was also involved in significant law reform across a range of areas such as anti-discrimination, occupational health and safety and special laws for those suffering asbestos and related illnesses to ensure they receive quick and fair trials.

In 2000, Searle commenced practicing law as a barrister in the areas of employment and industrial law and has been involved in a number of leading cases, including the pay equity case for childcare workers. He is still a member of the NSW Bar Association.

He was one of the expert panel of lawyers appointed by the NSW Government to examine the law relating to workplace deaths, which led to the enactment of legislation dealing specifically with workplace fatalities in 2005.

State parliament

In May 2011, Searle was elected to the NSW Legislative Council to fill a casual vacancy caused by the resignation of former NSW Attorney General, John Hatzistergos. He was soon after elected Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in the Legislative Council and took on the role of Shadow Minister for Small Business and Industrial Relations prior to his current leadership and portfolio responsibilities. In 2015, Searle became the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.[1]

For a week in May and June 2021, Searle was interim party leader between Jodi McKay's resignation as leader and the subsequent leadership vote.[2] On 8 June 2021, Searle was replaced as Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council by Penny Sharpe.[3]

Personal life

Searle resides in the Blue Mountains and takes an active interest local affairs. He enjoys reading and bush walking.[1]

Notes and References

  1. 95 . The Hon. Adam SEARLE, . Yes . 21 June 2017.
  2. Web site: Daley seeks second NSW Labor chance. 7News. 30 May 2021. 31 May 2021.
  3. Web site: Prue Car elected deputy NSW Labor leader. 7News. 8 June 2021. 8 June 2021.