Craig John Knowles AM (born 27 February 1959) is a former Australian politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 2005.
Craig Knowles | |
|---|---|
| Consul-General of Australia in Auckland | |
| In office 26 January 2018 – October 2022 | |
| Preceded by | John Brand |
| Succeeded by | Brad Williams |
| Minister for Health | |
| In office 8 April 1999 – 2 April 2003 | |
| Premier | Bob Carr |
| Preceded by | Andrew Refshauge |
| Succeeded by | Morris Iemma |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Macquarie Fields | |
| In office 3 November 1990 – 3 May 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Stan Knowles |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Moorebank | |
| In office 25 May 1991 – 5 March 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Seat created |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Macquarie Fields | |
| In office 27 March 1999 – 10 August 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Seat created |
| Succeeded by | Steven Chaytor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Craig John Knowles 27 February 1959 Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch) |
| Parent | Stan Knowles (father) |
Early life
editKnowles' parents were Marie and Stan Knowles, member for Ingleburn from 1981 to 1988 and Macquarie Fields from 1988 to 1990. He was born in Liverpool, New South Wales and educated at Liverpool Boys High School, Sydney College of Technical and Further Education. He worked in the New South Wales Department of Business and Consumer Affairs from 1988 and was the Western Sydney Co-ordinator in the Office of State Development of New South Wales Premiers' Department from 1987 to 1988. He was an alderman on Liverpool City Council from 1982 to 1994 and Mayor from 1986 until 1988.
Political career
editKnowles served as a Labor Party member for Macquarie Fields from May 1990 to May 1991, Moorebank from 1991 to 1999 and Macquarie Fields from 1999 to 2005. He was Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning from 1995 to 1999, Minister for Health from 1999 to 2003 and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Natural Resources from 2003 to 2005.
Knowles introduced a number of changes during his time as Planning Minister. These included the introduction of private certification of buildings. Another controversial change was the introduction of Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, which increased the powers of the Minister in approving major developments and superseded heritage and environmental protection legislation.
Knowles' political career was damaged by allegations raised by nurse Nola Fraser in relation to deaths at Campbelltown and Camden hospitals when he was Minister for Health. An Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into Knowles' behaviour cleared the minister in September 2005, but he had already been moved from the health portfolio.[1] He was also damaged by the Orange Grove affair, as a supporter of a retail outlet, which was later found to have been opened in contravention of zoning regulations in his electorate, while he was Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning. In April 2005, he was charged with drink-driving at a random breath test, with a low-level over the limit reading.[2]
Knowles had been considered a possible successor to Bob Carr as Premier but declined to be nominated when Carr retired in August 2005; himself resigning from the ministry the same day as Carr and his deputy, Andrew Refshauge.[3][4] Knowles resigned from parliament a few days later, sparking the 2005 Macquarie Fields by-election. He was ultimately succeeded by Labor's candidate Steven Chaytor.[5]
After politics
editAfter his retirement from politics, Knowles became a consultant and political lobbyist.[6] He has a number of advisory roles, statutory appointments, and non-profit directorships, including:
- Chair, Natural Resources Access Regulator Board (2017 - present)[7]
- President, the Asthma Foundation of New South Wales (since 2008–present)[8]
- Director, the Black Dog Institute[9]
- Director, the Children's Medical Research Institute (2007–present)[10]
- Director, the Học Mãi Foundation at The University of Sydney[11]
- Member, Advisory Board, Built Holdings Pty Limited[12]
- Chair, Murray Darling Basin Authority (2011–2015)[13]
At the 2015 Australia Day Honours, Knowles was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to local government, to the Parliament of New South Wales, and to the community through a range of health initiatives.[14]
In January 2018, Knowles was appointed by Trade Minister Steven Ciobo as the Consul-General of Australia in Auckland, New Zealand.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ "ICAC makes no findings of corrupt conduct in relation to the Hon. Craig Knowles MP". Parliament of New South Wales. 13 April 2005. Archived from the original on 20 September 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
- ^ Kidman, John; Alex Mitchell (3 April 2005). "Over-limit Knowles blows his chances". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
- ^ Roy, Edmond (3 August 2005). "Craig Knowles also quits NSW politics" (transcript). PM (ABC Radio). Retrieved 15 July 2011.
- ^ "Labor clearout: now Knowles quits". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 3 August 2005. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
- ^ "The Hon. Craig John Knowles (1959– )". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ Catharine Munro (29 May 2007). "Former planning boss goes back to the office to lobby". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 29 May 2007.
- ^ "Our Board and Executive". Natural Resources Access Regulator. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Our people – Board of Directors". About us. Asthma Foundation NSW. 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ "Who's who – Craig Knowles" (PDF). Board of Directors. Black Dog Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ "Our people – Craig Knowles". About us. Children's Medical Research Institute. 2006. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ "Board/Council Members". Our people – the Học Mãi Foundation. The University of Sydney. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ "Management team – Advisory Board". About us. Built Holdings Pty Limited. 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ Coorey, Phillip (28 January 2011). "Ex-NSW minister Craig Knowles to be Murray Darling supremo". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
- ^ "Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division" (PDF). Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia. 26 January 2015. p. 53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ Ciobo, Steven (26 January 2018). "New Consuls-General appointed to key Austrade posts" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- ^ "THE HON CRAIG KNOWLES - CONSUL-GENERAL AND SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER". Austrade Representatives. Australian Trade and Investment Commission. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2022.