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| Jonathan O'Dea | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jonathan O'Dea |
| Birth date | 1966 |
| Birth place | London |
| Nationality | Australia |
| Occupation | Solicitor, Businessperson, Politician |
| Office | Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly |
| Term start | 7 May 2015 |
| Term end | 9 May 2023 |
| Party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Alma mater | University of New South Wales, University of Sydney |
Jonathan O'Dea
Jonathan O'Dea is an Australian solicitor, business leader and former politician who served as Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Liberal Party of Australia, he represented the electorate of Davidson in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. O'Dea's career spans law, corporate governance and state politics, with roles in local councils, community organisations and state parliamentary committees.
O'Dea was born in London and migrated to Australia during childhood, growing up on the Northern Beaches and attending Cremorne Point schools and Mosman High School. He completed tertiary studies at the University of New South Wales and undertook postgraduate legal education at the University of Sydney. During his student years he engaged with student organisations and legal societies that connected him to networks including alumni from St Paul's College, University of Sydney and professional bodies such as the Law Society of New South Wales.
O'Dea trained and practised as a solicitor, working in corporate and commercial law with affiliations to firms that serviced clients in sectors represented by organisations like the Australian Securities Exchange and industry groups such as the Business Council of Australia. He transitioned into executive and board roles across finance, property and community enterprises, serving on boards linked to entities comparable to AMP Limited, Macquarie Group, NRMA, and regional development organisations. His experience included governance roles that engaged with regulators like the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
O'Dea began public service at the local level, elected to Warringah Council where he became involved with planning, environmental and heritage matters intersecting with agencies such as the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage and regional planning bodies. His local government work involved interactions with community groups connected to entities like the National Trust of Australia (New South Wales), local chambers of commerce, and sporting clubs affiliated with organisations such as Surf Life Saving Australia.
He was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the member for Davidson in 2007, succeeding a predecessor from the Liberal Party of Australia. In the Legislative Assembly he participated in committees addressing portfolios overseen by ministers in cabinets led by premiers including Barry O'Farrell, Mike Baird, Gladys Berejiklian, and Dominic Perrottet. His parliamentary work intersected with legislation involving authorities like the NSW Department of Education, Transport for NSW, and the NSW Health system.
O'Dea was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on 7 May 2015, presiding over proceedings during sittings involving interaction with the Governor of New South Wales, ceremonial functions with the University of Sydney and engagements with interstate counterparts such as the Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and federal counterparts like the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Australia). As Speaker he oversaw parliamentary procedure, administrative functions of the Assembly chamber and the parliamentary precinct, liaising with officers including the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and security agencies such as the New South Wales Police Force for parliamentary stewardship and events.
Throughout his parliamentary tenure O'Dea advocated for local issues in Ku-ring-gai, Northern Beaches, and the broader north shore region, engaging on infrastructure priorities tied to agencies like Roads and Maritime Services and public transport services coordinated with Sydney Trains. He supported initiatives on mental health and disability services that involved collaboration with non-government organisations such as Beyond Blue and Lifeline Australia, and backed regional education and school infrastructure funding linked to the NSW Department of Education and federal programs administered through the Australian Government. O'Dea participated in debates on planning and environmental conservation that intersected with groups like the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and policy forums associated with the Bureau of Meteorology when addressing climate and coastal management concerns.
Outside parliament O'Dea has been active in community organisations, supporting local sporting clubs, surf lifesaving branches affiliated with Surf Life Saving Australia, and cultural institutions including associations connected to the Art Gallery of New South Wales and regional historical societies. He has held volunteer and governance roles with charitable and educational bodies comparable to Rotary International, St Vincent de Paul Society (Australia), and local school councils. His personal interests include outdoor activities on the Northern Beaches and involvement in regional conservation initiatives working alongside the National Parks Association of NSW.
Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Category:Liberal Party of Australia politicians