Stephen Bromhead

Stephen Bromhead MP LLM JP
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Myall Lakes
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 March 2011
Preceded by	John Turner
Personal details
Born	Stephen Bruce Bromhead ca 1958
Nationality	Australia
Political party	The Nationals
Spouse(s)	Maryanne (DIVORCED)
Children	7
Alma mater	University of New South Wales
Occupation	Solicitor and Barrister

Stephen Bruce Bromhead (born ca 1958), an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, having represented Myall Lakes for the The Nationals since 26 March 2011.

Early years and background

Bromhead is a registered nurse with two certificates, commencing work initially as a nurse. He later joined the New South Wales Police Force, serving initially as a general duties officer and then as a detective; serving for a total of 12 years in the majority around Taree and surrounding districts. Whilst working as a police officer, Bromhead studied law by correspondence and was admitted as a solicitor. He has subsequently studied and completed his Masters of Law through the University of New South Wales specialising in corporate, commercial and taxation law.

Bromhead has served as a Councillor on the Greater Taree City Council and has had extensive community involvement including local rugby union football clubs, tourism associations, chambers of commerce, and horse racing clubs.

Political career

Following an earlier announcement that the Nationals' sitting member, John Turner would not be seeking re-election, Bromhead was endorsed by the National Party as the candidate in June 2010. During the last two weeks of the election campaign, Bromhead was involved in a motor vehicle accident where it was reprted that he factured his leg. The leg was fractured again in September 2011 when Bromhead jumped up to ask a question during question time in parliament.

At the March 2011 elections, Bromhead was elected and received a swing toward him of 11.2% after preferences in the traditionally strong Nationals seat, winning 78.6% of the vote on a two-party preferred basis. At the March 2015 elections, Bromhead was elected by a historically low result for the seat with just 58.7% in the Two Party-preferred result. Narrowing the margin to just 17.4% (the lowest ever margin in the electorates history). This result was a product of the 19.8% swing against him to ALP Country Labor Candidate Dr.David Keegan, as well as growing unpopularity within the community as a result of attitudes towards the Baird Coalition Government.

With a strong swing against him it was widely scepticised by local media that this could be a result of his lack of attendance to key community events such as "Meet the Candidate" events. As it stands the once traditionally strong Nationals seat is now a high risk seat with consistent growth in the support towards the ALP & Greens Candidates within the local area. The NSW Branch of the Australian Labor Party will only need to sure up another 8,000 votes by the 2019 Elections to concrete there swing over the seat. (*7,255 votes based on 2015 Results)

Other links

• Stephen Bromhead - campaign website
• Bromhead Legal - Solicitors

Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by John Turner	Member for Myall Lakes 2011–present	Incumbent