Garry West

This article is about the politician. For the footballer, see Gary West.

Garry Bruce West (born 19 January 1949) is an Australian politician. He was a National Party Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1976 to 1995, representing the electorate of Orange. He held several Ministerial positions in the Nick Greiner and then John Fahey Liberal–National coalition Government.

Garry West
Launch of "Out of the Blue" at NSW Parliament House with Alf Peate, Sue Thompson, Garry West and Stevie Clayton (1995)
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Orange
In office 14 February 1976 – 7 March 1996
Preceded by	Sir Charles Cutler
Succeeded by	Russell Turner
Chief Secretary and Minister for Tourism
In office 25 March 1988 – 24 July 1990
Preceded by	Michael Cleary
Succeeded by	Ian Causley
New South Wales Minister for Tourism and Minister for Lands and Forests
In office 24 July 1990 – 6 June 1991
Preceded by	Ian Causley
Succeeded by	Ian Causley
New South Wales Minister for Conservation and Land Management
In office 6 June 1991 – 26 May 1993
Preceded by	Tim Moore
Succeeded by	George Souris
New South Wales Minister for Energy
In office 3 July 1992 – 27 June 1994
Preceded by	Neil Pickard
Succeeded by	Ted Pickering
New South Wales Minister for Local Government and Cooperatives
In office 26 May 1993 – 27 June 1994
Preceded by	Gerry Peacocke
Succeeded by	Ted Pickering
New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services
In office 27 June 1994 – 4 April 1995
Preceded by	Terry Griffiths
Succeeded by	Paul Whelan
Personal details
Born	Gary Bruce West
Nationality	Australia
Political party	National Party
Spouse	Elizabeth West
Children	2 daughters and 1 son
Occupation	Horticulturalist

Private life

West was educated at Canobolas Public School and Orange High School in Orange, New South Wales.

Early years

West was one of the early members of the NSW Branch of the Young Australian Country Party, later to become the Young Nationals (Australia)-NSW, elected as State Chairman (1972–1973) and Federal Chairman (1973–1976).

State politics

Following the retirement of Sir Charles Cutler, West, aged 27 years, sought and gained endorsement as the Country Party candidate for the seat of Orange and was elected at a by-election held on 14 February 1976 in a three-corned contest between the Country, Liberal and Labor parties after being forced to preferences. Less than three months later, West was reelected at the 1976 State elections, despite the Liberal–National coalition losing to Neville Wran's Labor Party. West was re-elected at the 1978, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1991 and 1995 State elections.

West served as Shadow Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism (1984) and Shadow Minister for Housing (1981–1984). In the Greiner-Murray Liberal–National Government, West was appointed to the following:

• Chief Secretary (1988 to 1990)
• Minister for Tourism (1988 to 1991)
• Minister for Lands and Forests (1990 to 1991)
• Minister for Conservation and Land Management (1991 to 1993)
• Minister for Energy (1992 to 1994)
• Minister for Local Government and Cooperatives (1993 to 1994)
• Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services (1994 to 1995)

After the defeat of the Liberal–National coalition government in 1995, Garry West resigned causing a by-election. Subsequently, Russell Turner of the National Party was elected.