Diane Beamer (born 15 July 1960) is an Australian politician. As an Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, she represented the state electorates of Badgerys Creek (1995–1999) and Mulgoa (1999–2011). This included ministerial roles in the Carr and Iemma governments. Beamer chose not to recontest the 2011 election. In December 2018, Labor endorsed Beamer as their candidate for the Division of Lindsay at the 2019 Australian federal election.[1] She was defeated by the Liberals' Melissa McIntosh.
Diane Beamer | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Fair Trading | |
| In office 3 August 2005 – 2 April 2007 | |
| Premier | Morris Iemma |
| Preceded by | John Hatzistergos |
| Succeeded by | Linda Burney |
| Minister for Western Sydney | |
| In office 2 April 2003 – 2 April 2007 | |
| Premier | Bob Carr Morris Iemma |
| Preceded by | Kim Yeadon |
| Succeeded by | Graham West |
| Minister for Juvenile Justice | |
| In office 2 April 2003 – 3 August 2005 | |
| Premier | Bob Carr |
| Preceded by | Carmel Tebbutt |
| Succeeded by | Tony Kelly |
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Mulgoa | |
| In office 5 March 1999 – 4 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Tony Aquilina |
| Succeeded by | Tanya Davies |
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Badgerys Creek | |
| In office 25 March 1995 – 5 March 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Anne Cohen |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 July 1960 England |
| Citizenship | Australian |
| Political party | Labor |
| Spouse(s) | Stephen Hutchins (previous marriage) David Humphries |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney (BA) |
Early life and education
editBorn in England, Beamer migrated with her parents to Australia in the early 1960s.[2] During their first years in Sydney, the family lived in a Nissen hut at Cabramatta Migrant Hostel.[3]: page 52
In 1975, Beamer joined the Emu Plains Branch of the Australian Labor Party. She later graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts (BA).[4] From 1985 to 1989, Beamer worked as an electorate officer for the Minister for Sport and Tourism John Brown.
Civic roles
editBetween 1989–95, Beamer served as an elected councillor of the City of Penrith. This included 1992-93 as Deputy Mayor and 1993-94 as Mayor. She has also been a member of the Board of Ripples Aquatic Centre and a Parliamentary Patron of the Spokeswomen Program.[5]
New South Wales state politics (1995-2011)
editIn 1991, Beamer unsuccessfully contested the seat of Badgerys Creek,[4] however was elected to it in 1995. Following Badgerys Creek's abolition in 1999, she was elected as Member for Mulgoa. In April 2003, Beamer became Minister Assisting the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning (Planning Administration), Juvenile Justice and Minister for Western Sydney.[5] When Morris Iemma became Premier in August 2005, Beamer was appointed Minister for Fair Trading and Minister assisting the Minister for Commerce while continuing to be Minister for Western Sydney.[5]
Orange Grove Affair
editsee also Orange Grove affair
On 16 June 2004, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, advised Beamer as Minister Assisting the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning (Planning Administration) to approve a variation of the Local Environment Plan (LEP) which would have retrospectively validated the planning approval for an Orange Grove shopping centre. On 8 July 2004, Beamer declined to approve the proposed variation[6] on the grounds that the shopping centre tended to undermine the viability of the Liverpool shopping centre.[7] The owners of the Orange Grove centre subsequently claimed that this decision was corrupt. This led to an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which made no findings of corruption against any person.[6]
Retirement from state politics
editAfter the 2007 election, Beamer served as a backbencher and chose not to recontest the 2011 election.
Australian federal politics (2019)
editIn December 2018, the Australian Labor Party National Executive endorsed Beamer to take over from Emma Husar as the Labor candidate for the Division of Lindsay at the 2019 Australian federal election.[8] The seat was won by the Liberals' Melissa McIntosh. Beamer's previous state electorates of Badgerys Creek and Mulgoa cover much of the same geographic area as the seat of Lindsay.[1][9]
Family and personal life
editBeamer has six children. She was married to former Australian politician Stephen Hutchins, but is now married to Sydney journalist David Humphries.[5][10][11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Emma Husar considering options after Labor picks new Lindsay candidate". ABC News. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Retiring MPs". ABC News. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ "Former Midway & Phillip (Maribyrnong) Migrant Hostels Supplementary Assessment of Heritage Significance". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Beamer, Diane (1960 - )". Australian Women. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ a b c d "The Hon. Diane Beamer, MP". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Report on investigation into planning decisions relating to the Orange Grove Centre" (PDF). Independent Commission Against Corruption. August 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ "Beamer Denies Fault". ABC News. 23 July 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Osborne, Paul (11 December 2018). "Labor replaces Emma Husar in Sydney seat". The Courier. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Diane Beamer chosen by Labor to run for Emma Husar's seat of Lindsay in NSW". ABC News. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ "Beamer, Diane - Woman - the Australian Women's Register".
- ^ "Labor's killing machine spoils the party". SMH. 2 April 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2018.