Mike Gallacher

For those of a similar name, see Michael Gallagher (disambiguation).

The Honourable Mike Gallacher MLC
Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 April 2011
Premier	Barry O'Farrell
Preceded by	Michael Daley (Police) Steve Whan (Emergency Services)
Minister for the Hunter Region
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 April 2011
Preceded by	Jodi McKay
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 17 April 1996
Preceded by	Stephen Mutch
Personal details
Born	27 September 1961 (1961-09-27) (age 50) Paisley, Scotland
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s)	Judy Gallacher
Children	Kurt (m), Caitlin (f)
Alma mater	University of New England
Religion	Catholic
Website	Parliamentary webpage

Michael (Mike) Joseph Gallacher MLC, (born 27 September 1961 in Paisley, Scotland) an Australian politician, is the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter region and Vice-President of the Executive Council in the O'Farrell-Stoner Liberal/National coalitition government since 2011. Gallacher has been a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council since 1996.^[1]

Early life and background

Gallacher immigrated with his parents to Australia as a young child. He attended school at Lethbridge Park and Shalvey before completing his studies at Randwick Boys High School.

He joined the NSW Police Force in 1980 and served as an officer in general duties, highway patrol, internal police investigations, criminal investigations and special operations. He completed a Bachelor of Professional Studies through the University of New England in 1998. From 1991 to 1994, Gallacher was a delegate to the New South Wales Police Association and was a senior lecturer in the Police Service's Professional Responsibility Command and qualified for the Police Service Medal.^[1]

Gallacher has lived and worked on the Central Coast for over 25 years and is actively involved in local surf life saving. He is also a keen horseman. His children are Kurt and Caitlin. ^[2]

Political career

In 1996 Gallacher was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council, filling a casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Stephen Mutch.^[3]

He first faced election at the 2003 state election and was re-elected. In 2005, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Police in the New South Wales Shadow Cabinet and was appointed the portfolio of Shadow Minister for the Hunter in April 2007.

Following the 2011 state election which saw the O'Farrell government come to power, on 3 April 2011 Gallacher was appointed Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "The Hon. Michael Joseph Gallacher, BProf St MLC". Members of Parliament. Parliament of New South Wales. 4 May 2011. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf/5d65e8c599c38ed4ca256e7c001cd832/925c197d91ac48354a25672e0002e1db?OpenDocument. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
2. ^ "Mike Gallacher". Members of the Legislative Council. Liberal Party of Australia. 2011. http://www.nsw.liberal.org.au/legislative-council-upper-house/mike-gallacher.html. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
3. ^ "30. Vacant seats in the Legislative Council". Hansard. Parliament of New South Wales. 17 April 1996. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/lc/lcpaper.nsf/0/5DBD3514C67B062BCA256EEF00396C78. Retrieved 19 May 2011. 

Persondata
Name	Gallacher, Mike
Alternative names	Gallacher, Michael Joseph
Short description	Australia politician
Date of birth	27 September 1961
Place of birth	Paisley, Scotland
Date of death
Place of death