Births on January 3

Gary Nairn, Australian surveyor and politician, 14th Special Minister of State

Gary Roy Nairn: A Profile in Australian Politics and Public Service

Gary Roy Nairn, born on 3 January 1951, is a distinguished former Australian politician whose career spanned professional surveying, regional leadership in the Northern Territory, and significant federal parliamentary service, including a key ministerial role in the John Howard government.

Early Life and Professional Foundations

Nairn commenced his educational journey in Sydney, attending the academically renowned Sydney Boys High School from 1963 to 1968. He then furthered his studies at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), a leading Australian research-intensive university. Prior to his extensive political career, Nairn established himself as a successful professional. He worked as a surveyor in private practice and served as the managing director of a prominent surveying and mapping consultancy. This background in surveying provided him with a valuable understanding of land use, infrastructure development, and precise spatial planning, foundational skills that would later inform his public policy contributions.

A Significant Stint in Northern Territory Politics

Nairn's public service journey began in earnest after he relocated to the Northern Territory, where he lived for many years. His deep engagement with the unique political landscape of Australia's top end led him to a prominent leadership position. From 1990 to 1994, he served as the President of the Country Liberal Party (CLP). The CLP is a unique political entity in Australia, operating as an alliance of the Liberal and National parties and effectively serving as the major conservative force governing the Northern Territory. Under Nairn's presidency, the CLP achieved notable electoral success, securing two election victories with an increased share of the vote, demonstrating his strategic leadership and party-building capabilities.

Federal Parliamentary Career: Representing Eden-Monaro

After his impactful period in the Northern Territory, Nairn returned to New South Wales. In March 1996, he was successfully elected as a Liberal Party of Australia member to the Australian House of Representatives, the lower house of Australia's federal parliament. He represented the federal electorate of Eden-Monaro. This seat holds particular historical and electoral significance in Australian politics, widely recognized as a "bellwether" electorate. Its outcome has often predicted the national government; since 1972, the party that won Eden-Monaro has consistently formed government, underscoring its marginal and nationally representative nature.

Key Roles and Ministerial Responsibilities

During his tenure in federal parliament, Gary Nairn took on several critical responsibilities:

• 2003 Canberra Bushfires Inquiry: In 2003, Nairn was appointed to head a crucial federal inquiry into the devastating 2003 Canberra bushfires. This catastrophic event resulted in significant loss of life, widespread property destruction, and severe environmental damage across the Australian Capital Territory. His leadership of this inquiry demonstrated his commitment to national crisis response and thorough policy review.
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister: In October 2004, Nairn's capabilities were further recognized when he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister John Howard. This role provided him with direct engagement at the highest levels of government, assisting the Prime Minister and gaining invaluable insights into top-tier decision-making.
• Special Minister of State: In a significant promotion in January 2006, Nairn was elevated to the front bench as Special Minister of State, serving in the Howard government's outer ministry. This extensive portfolio encompassed a broad range of responsibilities vital to the efficient functioning of government and democratic processes. His duties included overseeing:
  • Ministerial and Parliamentary Services, which supports the operations of ministers and members of parliament.
  • The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO), responsible for overseeing government IT and information management strategies.
  • The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the independent body responsible for administering federal elections and referendums, ensuring the integrity of Australia's democratic processes.
  • The Defence Housing Authority (DHA), which provides housing and related services to Australian Defence Force members and their families.
  • Film Australia, the national film agency (before its integration into Screen Australia), which played a crucial role in supporting Australian storytelling and cultural production.
  This diverse portfolio positioned Nairn at the heart of administrative and democratic governance, overseeing key machinery-of-government functions.

Electoral Challenges and the 2007 Election

Gary Nairn's hold on the seat of Eden-Monaro was consistently challenging due to its inherent marginality. For most of the time since the late 1960s, the seat has been highly contested, a characteristic that further solidified its bellwether status. Even during the 2004 federal election, which saw a significant national swing towards the Liberal-National Coalition, Nairn managed to secure only a modest 0.4 percent swing in his favour, underscoring the seat's persistent electoral volatility and the consistent effort required to retain it.

Leading up to the 2007 federal election, a notable controversy emerged in September 2007. During a public forum on the highly contentious Iraq War in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Nairn's chief of staff, Peter Phelps, engaged in a heated verbal exchange with the Labor Party candidate for Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly. Phelps controversially accused Kelly, a former soldier, of hypocrisy for aligning with the Labor Party's opposition to the war. In an extremely inflammatory statement, Phelps went so far as to suggest Kelly was employing the "Nuremberg defence" – a reference to the argument of "just following orders" – and drew a deeply offensive comparison to the defence used by guards at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. It is important to note that Gary Nairn publicly distanced himself from these remarks, stating unequivocally that he did not agree with his staffer's sentiments.

In the subsequent 2007 federal election, which resulted in a decisive defeat for the incumbent John Howard government after 11 years in power, Gary Nairn lost his seat of Eden-Monaro to the Labor candidate, Mike Kelly. His defeat was part of a broader national trend, as Nairn was one of five members of the Howard ministry to lose their seats at that election, indicative of the significant nationwide swing against the government.

Post-Political Contributions

Following his parliamentary career, Gary Nairn has continued his commitment to public service, particularly in the realm of youth development. In 2018, he was appointed Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award – Australia. This internationally recognized youth development program, active in over 130 countries and territories, empowers young people aged 14 to 24 to develop life skills, leadership, and community engagement through a structured program involving volunteering, physical activity, skills development, and adventurous journeys. This appointment underscores his continued dedication to fostering positive outcomes for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gary Roy Nairn

When was Gary Roy Nairn born?

Gary Roy Nairn was born on 3 January 1951.

Which federal electorate did Gary Nairn represent?

Gary Nairn represented the federal electorate of Eden-Monaro in the Australian House of Representatives.

Why is Eden-Monaro considered a significant electorate in Australian politics?

Eden-Monaro is widely regarded as a "bellwether" seat, meaning its electoral outcome often predicts the national government. Since 1972, the party that won Eden-Monaro has consistently formed government, underscoring its marginal and nationally representative nature.

What ministerial portfolio did Gary Nairn hold in the Howard government?

Gary Nairn was appointed Special Minister of State in January 2006, with responsibilities including Ministerial and Parliamentary Services, the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO), the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), and Film Australia.

What was Gary Nairn's role after leaving federal politics?

In 2018, Gary Nairn was appointed Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award – Australia, a prestigious youth development program.