Tony Issa

Antoine "Tony" Issa OAM (born 14 August 1955[1] in Lebanon), an Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Granville for the Liberal Party from 2011 till the 2015 when he lost the seat to Labor's Julia Finn.[2]

Tony Issa

OAM
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Granville
In office
26 March 2011 – 6 March 2015
Preceded byDavid Borger
Succeeded byJulia Finn
Personal details
Born (1955-08-14) 14 August 1955
Lebanon
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLiberal Party
Spouse(s)Sue Issa
ResidenceMerrylands
OccupationSelf-employed

Early years and background

Issa migrated to Australia with his father in 1973, as one of seven children[1] of Lebanese Maronite Catholic background. The Arabic-speaking Issa has extensive community involvement including:

  • President, Bkerkacha Charitable Association (1989)
  • Treasurer, Granville Multicultural Centre (1984–1987)
  • President, Granville Multicultural Centre (1987–1991)
  • board member, Australian Lebanese Welfare Group (2004–2008)
  • School Representative, Catholic Diocesan Parramatta Regional Council (ca. 1992)
  • Member, Bicentenary Committee (1988)
  • Member, Western Sydney Assistant Services Ranking Committee
  • board member, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC)
  • Chairman, Sister City Organisation
  • Representative, Finance Complaint Services Board
  • committee member, Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Sydney

Local government career

Elected to Parramatta City Council in 1988, Issa served as an independent councillor until 1998 and then as a Liberal Party Councillor from 1998 to the present.

Issa was elected as deputy mayor from 2000 to 2001 and became the first Liberal Party lord mayor in New South Wales, serving between 2008 and 2009.[1][2][3][4]

State political career

In 1994, he contested unsuccessfully as an independent in the Parramatta by-election.

In 2011, Issa contested the normally safe[3][5] Labor seat of Granville in the Sydney's inner west district. Running against the incumbent and high-profile[6] sitting member and Minister, David Borger.

Issa was elected with a swing of 13.1 points and won the seat with 52.7 per cent of the two-party vote.[3][5]

Honours

Issa was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1995 for service to local government and to the Lebanese community.[7]

Tony was awarded the Order of Local Government for 20+ years service as a Councillor on Parramatta City Council

References
  1. Mills, Alison (7 October 2008). "Parramatta's Lebanese lord mayor a family man". Parramatta Sun. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  2. "Mr (Tony) Antoine Issa OAM". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  3. Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Granville". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  4. "Tony Issa". NSW candidates 2011. Liberal Party. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  5. Pender, Liam (31 March 2011). "First Liberal prays for wisdom". Parramatta Sun. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  6. Bartok, Di (5 November 2010). "Liberals' Tony Issa believes he can upset Labor MP David Borger". Parramatta Advertiser. News Limited. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  7. "Search Australian Honours – Issa, Antonie (Tony)". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 12 June 1995. Retrieved 30 April 2011.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
David Borger		 Member for Granville
2011–2015		 Succeeded by
Julia Finn
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