Michael (Mick) David Gentleman (born 1 August 1955) is an Australian politician and is a member of the

Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory (known in short as the ACT Legislative Assembly) is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It sits in the Legislative Assembly Building on Civic Sq ...

representing the electorate of Brindabella for the Labor Party. He was first elected to the assembly in

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 6 ...

, but lost his seat in the 2008 election. He was re-elected to the assembly at the 2012 election, 2016 election and 2020 election. Mick Gentleman has been a Minister in the ACT Government since 2014.

Early years

Gentleman was born and educated, and has always lived in

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Canberra ( ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the List of citi ...

. Prior to becoming a politician, he worked in the offices of

Prime Ministers A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is no ...

Bob Hawke Robert James Lee Hawke (9 December 1929 – 16 May 2019) was an Australian politician and union organiser who served as the 23rd prime minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (A ...

and

Paul Keating Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944) is an Australian former politician and unionist who served as the 24th prime minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He previously serv ...

as their security officer. He has also been a motor mechanic, postman, public servant, real estate agent, small business owner and union organiser. Gentleman has been involved in motorsports for more than 42 years and was a four times ACT Rally champion co-driver. He competed in rally at state level, Australia Championship level and in the World Rally Championships.

Political career

Gentleman has served as the Acting

Speaker Speaker may refer to: Society and politics * Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly * Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture * A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially: ** I ...

and chair of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment. He provided more than 30 reports to the parliament affecting the business, environmental and residential planning of the capital. Gentleman tabled and passed the gross feed-in-tariff for Canberra, bringing the ACT to the forefront in

renewable energy Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. It includes sources such as sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy ...

incentives. Gentleman has strongly supported first-responders as Minister for Police and Emergency Services, securing more police officers, paramedics and urban firefighters for the ACT. As Minister for the Environment, Gentleman led reforms to outlaw destructive yabby traps and oversaw the recovery plan for Namadgi National Park, which was significantly damaged by bushfires in early 2020. Gentleman has been a public advocate for protecting Namadgi National Park from potential damage caused by feral horses. Gentleman is currently the Minister for Planning and Land Management (February 2016–present), Minister for Police and Emergency Services (October 2016–present). Minister for Corrections (November 2020–present) and Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety (November 2020–present). He has also held the following ministries: Minister for the Environment and Heritage (October 2016–October 2020), Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries (August 2019–October 2020), Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries (August 2018–August 2019), Minister for Urban Renewal (October 2016–August 2018), Minister for Planning (7 July 2014–January 2016), Minister for Roads and Parking (20 January 2015–February 2016), Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations (7 July 2014–October 2016), Minister for Children and Young People (7 July 2014–February 2016), Minister for Ageing (7 July 2014–February 2016), Minister for Community Services (7 July 2014 – 20 January 2015), Minister for Gaming and Racing (February 2016–October 2016).

References

External links

Biography
– ACT Labor Party
Profile
– ACT Legislative Assembly {{DEFAULTSORT:Gentleman, Mick 1955 births Living people Australian Labor Party members of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly Members of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly 21st-century Australian politicians