Barry O'Farrell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barry O'Farrell
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O'Farrell in 2020
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| Australian High Commissioner to India | |
| In office 21 May 2020 – 30 June 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Harinder Sidhu |
| Succeeded by | Philip Green |
| 43rd Premier of New South Wales | |
| In office 28 March 2011 – 17 April 2014 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Marie Bashir |
| Deputy | Andrew Stoner |
| Preceded by | Kristina Keneally |
| Succeeded by | Mike Baird |
| 19th Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party | |
| In office 4 April 2007 – 17 April 2014 |
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| Deputy | Jillian Skinner |
| Preceded by | Peter Debnam |
| Succeeded by | Mike Baird |
| 35th Leader of the Opposition in New South Wales | |
| In office 4 April 2007 – 28 March 2011 |
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| Premier | Morris Iemma Nathan Rees Kristina Keneally |
| Deputy | Jillian Skinner |
| Preceded by | Peter Debnam |
| Succeeded by | John Robertson |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Ku-ring-gai |
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| In office 27 March 1999 – 6 March 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Stephen O'Doherty |
| Succeeded by | Alister Henskens |
| Majority | 37% |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Northcott |
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| In office 25 March 1995 – 26 March 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Bruce Baird |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Barry Robert O'Farrell
24 May 1959 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Rosemary Cowan (1992–present) |
| Residence | Turramurra |
| Education | St John's College, Darwin Australian National University |
| Website | Liberal member website |
Barry Robert O'Farrell (born 24 May 1959) is an Australian former politician. He served as Australia's High Commissioner to India. He was also the non-resident Ambassador to Bhutan from 2020 to 2023.
Before this, O'Farrell was the 43rd Premier of New South Wales from 2011 to 2014. He was also the Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party from 2007 to 2014. He was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1995 to 2015. He represented the areas of Northcott and Ku-ring-gai.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Barry Robert O'Farrell was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 24 May 1959. He was the youngest of three children. His family moved often because of his father's Army career. They eventually settled in Darwin. Barry finished his high school education at St John's College.
In 1977, O'Farrell moved to Canberra to study at the Australian National University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied Australian history, politics, and Aboriginal studies.
After university, O'Farrell started his career in the Australian Public Service. He later joined the Liberal Party in 1980. He worked for two Senators from South Australia. In 1988, he became Chief of Staff for Bruce Baird, a minister in the New South Wales government. From 1992 to 1995, O'Farrell served as the State Director for the New South Wales Liberal Party.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 1995, Barry O'Farrell was elected to the New South Wales Parliament. He won the seat of Northcott in northern Sydney. This was considered a safe seat for the Liberal Party.
After changes to the electoral map in 1998, his seat of Northcott was removed. O'Farrell then ran for the seat of Ku-ring-gai in 1999. He won this seat and held it until 2015.
In 1998, O'Farrell joined the Shadow Ministry. This is a group of opposition politicians who watch over government departments. He served two times as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in New South Wales.
Leader of the Opposition (2007–2011)
After the Liberal-Nationals party lost the 2007 state election, O'Farrell decided to run for party leadership. He became the Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party without opposition. This also made him the Leader of the Opposition. Jillian Skinner was chosen as his Deputy Leader.
In 2008, O'Farrell led campaigns for special elections called by-elections. These elections were held in areas like Ryde and Cabramatta. The Liberal Party won the Ryde by-election with a large swing in votes. This showed growing support for the Liberal Party.
In 2009, O'Farrell called for an early election for New South Wales. He believed the state needed a change in government. However, his motion was not passed in Parliament.
In 2010, the Liberal Party won another by-election in Penrith. This was a significant win, as it was the first time the Liberal Party had won a seat in Western Sydney in 20 years. This victory showed that the Liberal Party was gaining support in areas traditionally held by the Labor Party.
Before the 2011 state election, opinion polls showed that O'Farrell's party was very likely to win. Many predicted a large victory for the Coalition (Liberal and National parties).
The Coalition won the 2011 election with a huge number of votes. They gained many seats, including some in areas that had always voted Labor. The Liberal Party won enough seats to govern on its own. This was the first time this had happened since 1945. O'Farrell's own seat of Ku-ring-gai became the safest seat in the state.
Premier of New South Wales (2011–2014)
O'Farrell became the Premier of New South Wales on 28 March 2011. He was sworn in by the Governor of New South Wales, Marie Bashir.
Upon becoming Premier, O'Farrell announced a "100 Day Action Plan." This plan outlined his government's goals for its first few months. He aimed to control public spending by limiting wage increases for public servants. He also worked to reduce the benefits given to former Premiers.
O'Farrell also kept his promise to change planning laws. He created Infrastructure NSW to help decide which big projects should be built. He appointed former Liberal Premier Nick Greiner to lead this group.
In 2011, O'Farrell's government changed rules for a solar power scheme. This was because the scheme was costing much more than expected.
In October 2011, O'Farrell announced that the Governor of New South Wales would live in Government House again. This had not happened for 15 years.
As Premier, O'Farrell worked to improve New South Wales's connections with Asia, especially China and India. He led trade trips to both countries every year. He also helped create sister-state relationships with regions in China and India.
In 2012, O'Farrell received an honorary doctorate from a university in Lebanon. This recognized the strong relationship between New South Wales and Lebanon.
In December 2012, O'Farrell's government secured funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in New South Wales. This scheme provides support for people with disabilities.
In 2013, O'Farrell supported legalizing same-sex marriage. He believed it was about individual freedom. He also signed New South Wales up for the Gonski national education reforms. This brought more funding for schools in the state.
In 2014, O'Farrell's government announced the sale of some public housing properties. The money from these sales would be used to improve other public housing.
O'Farrell was a strong supporter of multiculturalism. He worked to connect with different ethnic communities in Sydney. He also spoke out against bigotry and hatred.
Resignation as Premier
In April 2014, O'Farrell appeared as a witness in an investigation by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). During the inquiry, it was suggested that he had received a gift, a bottle of wine, which he had not declared.
O'Farrell initially said he did not remember receiving the gift. However, a "thank you" note he had written was later shown to the ICAC. This note mentioned the wine.
On 16 April 2014, O'Farrell stated he had a "massive memory fail" and could not explain the gift. He then announced his decision to resign as Premier of New South Wales. He apologized for his error. The ICAC later found that O'Farrell had no intention to mislead them.
On 23 April 2014, Mike Baird was chosen as the new Liberal Party leader and became the 44th NSW Premier. O'Farrell retired from politics at the 2015 state election.
After Politics: New Roles
After leaving politics, Barry O'Farrell took on several new roles. In 2015, he was appointed deputy chairman of the Australia–India Council. This council works to improve trade and investment between Australia and India. He also led a review into online gambling websites.
In 2016, O'Farrell joined the boards of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Obesity Australia. He was also appointed as New South Wales's Special Envoy to India.
In 2017, he became the CEO of Racing Australia. He also became the first chair of the New South Wales Rugby League's Foundation in 2018. In 2019, he was appointed president and board chair of Diabetes Australia. He also became Chairman of the Wests Tigers rugby league club.
High Commissioner to India
In February 2020, O'Farrell was appointed as the Australian High Commissioner to India. He also became the ambassador to Bhutan. He officially started his role in May 2020.
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, O'Farrell helped organize a virtual meeting between the Prime Ministers of Australia and India. This meeting strengthened the relationship between the two countries.
O'Farrell aimed to change how people saw Australia-India relations. He wanted to focus on "democracy, defence, diaspora, and dosti" (friendship).
In March 2023, Philip Green was named as Australia's next high commissioner to India.
Personal Life and Awards
Barry O'Farrell is married to Rosemary Cowan. They married in 1992 and have two sons.
During his time as a Member of Parliament, O'Farrell was involved in many local groups. These included the Ku-ring-gai Amateur Swimming Club and the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society. He was also a patron of the RSPCA NSW Branch.
O'Farrell has walked the 110 km long Kokoda Track twice. He did it once with his eldest son and once with his youngest son.
In 2020, O'Farrell was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his important service to the people and Parliament of New South Wales, especially as Premier. It also recognized his service to the community.
O'Farrell supports the NRL club the Wests Tigers. He was appointed chairman of the club in 2019.
Images for kids
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O'Farrell's Ku-ring-gai electorate office in Wahroonga.
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O'Farrell with Victor Dominello, Andrew Stoner and Gladys Berejiklian outside North Ryde Public School in November 2008.
Barry_O%27Farrell_office.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Barry O'Farrell para niños
