Troy Grant

Troy Wayne Grant (born 11 February 1970) is an Australian former politician. Grant was the Minister for Police and the Minister for Emergency Services from January 2017 until March 2019 in the Berejiklian government.[1] He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Dubbo for the Nationals from 2011 to 2019.

The Honourable Troy Grant MP
Grant in 2014
Minister for Police
In office 2 April 2015 – 23 March 2019
Premier	Mike Baird Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by	Stuart Ayres (as Minister for Police and Emergency Services)
Succeeded by	David Elliott (as Minister for Police and Emergency Services)
Minister for Emergency Services
In office 30 January 2017 – 23 March 2019
Premier	Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by	David Elliott
Succeeded by	David Elliott (as Minister for Police and Emergency Services)
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Dubbo
In office 26 March 2011 – 23 March 2019
Preceded by	Dawn Fardell
Succeeded by	Dugald Saunders
17th Deputy Premier of New South Wales
In office 16 October 2014 – 15 November 2016
Premier	Mike Baird
Preceded by	Andrew Stoner
Succeeded by	John Barilaro
Minister for Justice
In office 2 April 2015 – 30 January 2017
Premier	Mike Baird
Preceded by	Brad Hazzard
Succeeded by	portfolio abolished
Minister for the Arts
In office 23 April 2014 – 30 January 2017
Premier	Mike Baird
Preceded by	George Souris
Succeeded by	Don Harwin
Minister for Racing
In office 2 April 2015 – 30 January 2017
Premier	Mike Baird Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by	himself (as Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing)
Succeeded by	Paul Toole
Personal details
Born	Troy Wayne Grant 11 February 1970 Maitland, New South Wales
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Independent
Other political affiliations	The Nationals (Until 2020)
Spouse(s)	Toni Grant
Occupation	Police officer
Website	www.troygrant.com.au

He is a former Deputy Premier of New South Wales and New South Wales Leader of The Nationals from October 2014 to November 2016. Grant was the Minister for Justice and Police, the Minister for Racing and the Minister for the Arts in the second Baird government, between April 2015 and January 2017.[2] In April 2014, Grant was appointed as the Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing and the Minister for the Arts in the first Baird government.[3] Grant gained additional portfolio responsibilities in October 2014 and in addition to the above responsibilities in the two Baird ministries, he also served as the Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services, and the Minister for Tourism and Major Events until 2 April 2015.[4][5] Grant stood down as Nationals leader and Deputy Premier on 15 November 2016.[6] He was Minister for Police until being replaced in that position by David Elliott on 2 April 2019.

Early years and background

A police officer for 22 years, Grant has twice has been decorated with Commendations for Courage by the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force. He has implemented a number of community-based policing initiatives in Gilgandra and Brewarrina and he has received other awards, including the Premier's Public Sector Award.[7] Grant led the paedophilia investigation into Catholic priest Vincent Ryan, and has said "there is nothing I would not do in order to protect the children of NSW" from sexual abuse.[5]

In 2020, Grant featured in the ABC documentary series Revelation, where he told Sarah Ferguson how he investigated Father Vincent Ryan on allegations of child sexual abuse. Grant was also featured giving evidence at Ryan's 2019 criminal trial.

Grant can speak Wiradjuri, a language from inland NSW.[8]

Political career

Grant was endorsed by the National Party as its candidate in Dubbo in June 2010, after a pre-selection battle with one other candidate, also a police officer.[9][10] At the March 2011 elections, Grant was elected and received a swing of 14.5% in the traditionally strong Nationals seat, winning 63.7% of the vote on a two-party preferred basis. Grant actually won 60 per cent of the primary vote, enough to take the seat without the need for preferences.[11] Grant defeated the incumbent independent politician Dawn Fardell, ending a 12-year hold by independent candidates.[12] In accordance with electoral procedures, he resigned his commission as a police officer.

Due to the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as Premier,[13] and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle by Mike Baird, the new Liberal Leader,[3] in April 2014 Grant was appointed as Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing, Minister for the Arts, and appointed as a member of Cabinet.[4][14][15]

On 15 October 2014, Andrew Stoner stood down as Nationals leader and Deputy Premier, citing family reasons. On 16 October Grant was elected party leader and the following day he was sworn in as Deputy Premier of New South Wales, assuming the majority of Stoner's former ministerial responsibilities.[5][16] Following a period of leadership speculation which came to a head on 12 November 2016 after the Nationals' poor performance at the Orange state by-election, on 14 November, Grant, facing a leadership spill, announced his resignation as Nationals leader and Deputy Premier, effective the following day.[6][17]

Following the resignation of Mike Baird as Premier,[18] Gladys Berejiklian was elected as Liberal leader and sworn in as Premier.[19][20][21] The Berejiklian ministry was subsequently formed with Grant sworn in as the Minister for Police and the Minister for Emergency Services with effect from 30 January 2017.[1][22] Grant did not seek re-endorsement for the 2019 state election.

On 21 March 2017, ABC News reported with a headline Mr Grant NSW Police Minister fined for using phone in car, says he didn't know it was illegal.[23] The Daily Telegraph reported that Grant was a "...decorated former police officer..." and also that "Mr Grant, who has always tried to ram home road safety messages — including the dangers of using mobiles behind the wheel..."[24]

See also

• First Baird ministry
• Second Baird ministry
• Berejiklian ministry

References

1. "Refreshed NSW cabinet sworn in". Sky News. Australia. AAP. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
2. Hasham, Nicole (3 April 2015). "Premier Mike Baird's new NSW cabinet sworn in: Gladys Berejiklian and Gabrielle Upton first female Treasurer and Attorney-General". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
3. Nicholls, Sean (22 April 2014). "Mike Baird's cabinet reshuffle a preparation for next election". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
4. "The Hon. Troy Wayne GRANT, MP". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
5. Hasham, Nicole (16 October 2014). "New NSW Nationals leader and Deputy Premier Troy Grant is not easily categorised". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
6. Nicholls, Sean (14 November 2016). "Troy Grant to stand down as leader of NSW Nationals after Orange byelection disaster". smh.com.au. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
7. "Troy Grant – Candidate for Dubbo". The Nationals team. National Party. 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
8. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nsw-state-election-2015/nationals-leader-troy-grant-launches-nsw-campaign-in-local-aboriginal-dialect-20150315-144jbl.html
9. Stoner MP, Andrew (7 June 2010). "Grant the voice for change in Dubbo" (Press release). National Party of Australia – NSW. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
10. Billings, Patrick (7 June 2010). "Nationals NSW choose their cop". Daily Liberal. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
11. Green, Antony (26 March 2011). "Dubbo". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
12. Huntsdale, Justin (31 March 2011). "Nationals NSW win Dubbo in state wide Coalition landslide". ABC News. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
13. "Barry O'Farrell quits as NSW Premier over memory fail". The Australian. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
14. "Mike Baird's NSW cabinet". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
15. "Troy Grant joins NSW cabinet". Daily Liberal. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
16. Gerathy, Sarah (16 October 2014). "Troy Grant replaces Andrew Stoner as NSW Deputy Premier". ABC News. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
17. Gerathy, Sarah (14 November 2016). "Who will lead the NSW Nationals after Troy Grant, and what does the vote mean for Mike Baird?". ABC News. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
18. Jacques, Owen (19 January 2017). "Baird resigns: NSW Premier to quit top job and Parliament". The Satellite. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
19. "Swearing-In of The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, the 45th Premier of New South Wales, and The Honourable John Barilaro MP, Deputy Premier". Vice Regal Program. Governor of New South Wales. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
20. "Ministers". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
21. Clennell, Andrew (26 January 2017). "Premier Gladys Berejiklian plans major reshuffle for cabinet". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
22. "The Hon. Troy Wayne Grant (1970- )". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
23. "NSW Police Minister fined for using phone in car, says he didn't know it was illegal". ABC News. 21 March 2017.
24. "Minister's baa-d mistake". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 March 2017.

External links

• National Party – Troy Grant, Candidate for Dubbo