Barrie Unsworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barrie Unsworth
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Unsworth as premier c. 1987
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| 36th Premier of New South Wales | |
| In office 4 July 1986 – 25 March 1988 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Sir James Rowland |
| Deputy | Ron Mulock |
| Preceded by | Neville Wran |
| Succeeded by | Nick Greiner |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Rockdale |
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| In office 2 August 1986 – 3 May 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Brian Bannon |
| Succeeded by | George Thompson |
| Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales | |
| In office 6 November 1978 – 15 July 1986 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 April 1934 Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Spouse |
Pauline Hennessy
(m. 1955) |
| Profession | Trade union official |
Barrie John Unsworth (born 16 April 1934) is an Australian who used to be a politician. He was a member of the Labor Party. From 1978 to 1991, he served in the Parliament of New South Wales. He was the 36th Premier of New South Wales from July 1986 to March 1988.
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Early Life and Education
Barrie Unsworth was born in Dubbo, New South Wales. His parents were Joseph and Olive Unsworth. He grew up and went to school in Sydney at Kogarah High School.
After finishing school at age 15, he started training to be an electrical fitter. In 1955, when he was 21, he married Pauline Hennessy. They had one daughter and three sons. He also has nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Unsworth worked as an electrical fitter and sales representative. This was for the Sydney County Council from 1950 to 1960. He also served briefly in the Royal Australian Navy in 1953 and 1954.
Working with Unions
In 1961, Unsworth started working as an organiser for the Electrical Trades Union. This was the start of his career in the labour movement. The labour movement works to improve conditions for workers.
In 1966, he received a special scholarship called a Churchill Fellowship. This allowed him to study at Harvard University in the United States. The next year, he was elected to the Labor Council of NSW. He served as its Secretary from 1979 to 1984.
During his time as a union official, he also held positions on government groups. These included:
- Public Transport Commission of New South Wales (1972–1975)
- Pipeline Authority (1973–1978)
Political Journey
Barrie Unsworth became a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1978. This is one part of the New South Wales Parliament. While there, he represented Australia at international meetings. These meetings were about how workers can be involved in managing companies.
In the Labor Government led by Neville Wran, Unsworth held important roles. He was the Minister for Transport from 1984 to 1986. He also served as the Minister for Health for a few months in 1986.
Becoming Premier
In May 1986, Premier Neville Wran decided to retire. Barrie Unsworth then became the leader of the NSW Labor Party. This made him the new Premier. He also became Minister for Ethnic Affairs and Minister for State Development.
To be Premier, he needed to be a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. So, another politician resigned from his seat in Rockdale. Unsworth then ran in a special election for that seat in August 1986. He won the election, but it was a very close race.
Unsworth was Premier for about two years. In the 1988 elections, his Labor Party lost to the Liberal Party. Nick Greiner became the new Premier. Unsworth did not run for election again in 1991.
Life After Politics
After leaving politics, Unsworth continued to be involved in public life. He was the Chairman of the Australian Executive Committee for the Duke of Edinburgh Study Conference for many years. He also worked as the General Manager for a racing radio station from 1992 to 2000. In 2001, he received the Centenary Medal for his service to Australia.
When the Labor Government led by Bob Carr was elected in 1995, Unsworth took on more roles. He served on many important government and community groups. Some of these included:
- Australia Day Council of New South Wales, Chairman (1995–2003)
- Totalizator Agency Board, Director (1997–2004)
- Delta Electricity, Director (1997–2006)
- New South Wales Centenary of Federation Committee, Chairman (1997–2002)
- Ambulance Service of New South Wales, Chairman (2001–2008)
- RailCorp, Director (2005–2008)
- State Transit Authority, Chairman (2004–2009)
- WorkCover Authority of New South Wales, Chairman (1995–1997)
Unsworth also served as a Director for the charity Youth off the Streets. This charity helps young people in Australia and Asia. He was also a Director for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles rugby league team.
In 2003 and 2004, the NSW Government asked Unsworth to review public bus services. He also led a group in 2008 that looked into selling off the state's electricity industry.
Today, Unsworth lives in the Northern Beaches area. He has worked to stop too much building in New South Wales. He also helped buy and save the former home of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. This home is now a historic site open to the public.
