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The Honourable
Cameron Murphy
AM MLC
Cameron Murphy AM 11 April 2014.jpg
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
Assumed office
25 March 2023
Personal details
Born (1973-03-30) 30 March 1973 (age 52)
Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Political party Labor Party
Spouse Agatha
Alma mater Macquarie University
Website Personal Website

Cameron Murphy (born 30 March 1973) is an Australian lawyer and politician. He is a member of the Labor Party. Currently, he serves in the New South Wales Legislative Council, which is part of the NSW Parliament.

Mr. Murphy is a barrister, which means he is a special kind of lawyer who represents people in court. He is also known for supporting civil liberties. This means he works to protect the basic rights and freedoms of people. From 1999 to 2013, he was the President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, a group that champions these rights. In 2023, he was elected to the NSW Legislative Council.

Who is Cameron Murphy?

Early Life and Family

Cameron Murphy was born on March 30, 1973. His father was Lionel Murphy, who was a very important lawyer and judge. Lionel Murphy served as Australia's Attorney-General and later as a judge on the High Court. Cameron Murphy studied at Macquarie University, where he earned degrees in Arts and Law. He is married to Agatha and they have two children.

What Does a Barrister Do?

As a barrister, Cameron Murphy specializes in several areas of law. These include:

  • Industrial Law: This deals with rules about workplaces, like pay, working conditions, and unions.
  • Workplace Health & Safety: This focuses on making sure workplaces are safe for everyone.
  • Administrative Law: This is about how government decisions are made and if they are fair.
  • Intellectual Property Law: This protects things like inventions, designs, and creative works.

Cameron Murphy's Career Journey

Cameron Murphy has held many important roles throughout his career.

Working for Workers' Rights

In 1994, he started his career by training with the Australian Council of Trade Unions. He learned how to help workers organize and improve their conditions. He then worked for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union. There, he helped workers with their industrial issues.

Protecting Civil Liberties

One of his most well-known roles was as President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties. He led this organization for 14 years, from 1999 to 2013. During this time, he worked to protect the rights of people in New South Wales. He also served on the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW. This board works to prevent unfair treatment of people.

Other Important Roles

  • Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal: From 2003 to 2008, he helped solve disagreements between consumers, traders, and tenants.
  • Lionel Murphy Foundation: Since 2004, he has been a trustee for this foundation. It supports education and research in law and social justice.
  • Barrister at Denman Chambers: Since 2016, he has worked as a barrister. He focuses on employment, industrial, administrative, and human rights law.

Cameron Murphy's Political Path

Cameron Murphy has been active in politics for many years, especially within the Labor Party.

Running for Office

In 2012, he tried to become the Labor candidate for Lord Mayor of Sydney. Later, he was elected to the Labor Party's National Policy Forum. This group helps shape the party's ideas and plans.

He ran for a seat in the NSW Parliament twice in the area of East Hills. He was the Labor candidate in both the 2015 and 2019 state elections. Although he lost both times by a small number of votes, he continued his political efforts.

Joining the Legislative Council

In 2022, he sought to become a candidate for the NSW Legislative Council. This is a part of the state parliament that reviews laws. He was successful and was placed high on the Labor Party's list of candidates for the 2023 NSW State Election. In March 2023, Cameron Murphy was officially elected as a Member of the NSW Legislative Council.

In October 2023, he signed a public letter. This letter spoke out against harm to innocent people during conflicts.

Awards and Recognition

Cameron Murphy has received awards for his work in the community.

  • In 2013, he was a finalist for the Australian Human Rights Awards. This recognized his work for human rights.
  • Also in 2013, he was made an Honorary Life Member of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties. This was a special honor from the group he led.
  • In 2014, he received the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award. This is a high honor in Australia. He received it for his important service to the community. This included his work with human rights and civil liberty groups.
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