About Us

Sylvia Hale joined Greens MPs Ian Cohen and Lee Rhiannon in the Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament after being elected in 2003.In 2007, they were joined by Dr John Kaye, making a dynamic Green quartet.

The NSW Greens MPs share their work on community campaigns and legislation by allocating portfolios. Sylvia's portfolios are: Arts Attorney General Central Coast Correctional Services Fair Trading Housing Juvenile Justice Lands Local Government Planning Police Redfern Waterloo Regional Development State Development Western Sydney

Send us a message, talk with us ... Sylvia Hale Greens MP NSW Parliament Macquarie St Sydney 2000 Email: sylvia.hale@parliament.nsw.gov.au Phone: (02) 9230 3030 Fax: (02) 9230 2159 Media enquiries: Colin Hesse 0401 719124

“The Greens are part of a growing voice that calls for community-based empowering solutions that redistribute wealth equitably. We recognise the important role of government intervention in the economy and public ownership of resources and institutions. We recognise that global challenges require both local and global solutions. This Parliament has an important role to play in creating a just and sustainable world. This Parliament has the opportunity to create laws that could locate this State at the forefront of respect for human rights and diversity, ecological sustainability and community empowerment. Yet, as a Green, I am reminded that although laws are made by Parliament, history is made on the streets. I know which side of history I want to be on.” Sylvia Hale’s first speech to NSW Parliament, 7 May 2003

The Greens If you would like more information about The NSW Greens, including policies and events, click here

NSW Parliament Sylvia is a member of the Legislative Council, also known as the Upper House, in the Parliament of NSW. For more information about the NSW Parliament and how it works see Parliament’s own site. For information about Sylvia’s Parliamentary work see here.

How to get involved Sylvia is interested in your input on the campaigns and issues she works on. Some ways you can get involved include: - Join one of Sylvia’s working groups on a topic you’re interested in. Current working groups include local government, disabilities and housing. - Come along to events - Get involved in campaigns. This website gives tips and information about getting involved in any of the issues Sylvia is working on. Check out the links for more sites to help you get active.

Sylvia Hale

Before entering Parliament in March 2003, Sylvia’s experiences included:

- student activism at the University of Sydney during the 1960s
- work as a spot welder, a shop assistant and a clerk
- four years teaching in NSW’s public high schools
- being a mother, grandmother and wife
- establishing the longest-surviving independently-owned Australian publishing company
- establishing one of the country's larger specialist book printer
- election to Marrickville Council in 1995 as a member of the No Aircraft Noise Party
- joining the Greens in 2000.

Staff

Sylvia has a small team assisting her Parliamentary work.

Policy & Legislation Advisor

Hazel Blunden

Hazel is interested in social and co-op housing, planning and sustainable city design. She worked in the community sector and as a tenant's advocate previously. She has a Ph.D in Human Geography.

Hazel is a aussie rules-loving semi-anarchist gardening enthusiast.

Parliamentary Media Officer

Col Hesse
Prior to joining Sylvia's staff Col was a Greens councillor on Marrickville council, an organiser for the National Tertiary Education Union, and an employee of NSW railways for ten years.

Col plays soccer for the Hurlstone Park Wanderers and sings in the Solidairy Choir.

Administration

Rossyln Rix
Ros deals with corro and keeps the office running smoothly.

Office Admin

Nicola Grieve
Nicola is a vital cog in the well-oiled machine that is Sylvia Hale's office. Nicola looks after the accounts and Sylvia's website. She is also a Greens councillor on Woollahra Council.

Volunteers

Irene Doutney
Irene is a dynamic Greens volunteer interested in the arts, housing issues, and many other things.

Garry Wotherspoon

Garry has many interests including urban history and the gay and lesbian rights movement.

Portfolios

Within the Greens Opposition in the NSW Parliament, Sylvia is responsible for a range of portfolios including arts, housing, local government and planning. This is the portfolio division for the four Greens state MPs. All four are working on climate change as this critical issue needs to be taken up through all portfolios

Ian Cohen's portfolios are:

Aboriginal Affairs
Ageing
Community Services
Disability Services
Emergency Services
Environment
Northern NSW
Primary Industries
Sport and Recreation
Tourism
Volunteering
Water

Sylvia Hale's portfolios are:

Arts
Attorney General
Central Coast
Correctional Services
Fair Trading
Housing
Justice
Juvenile Justice
Lands
Local Government
Planning
Police
Redfern Waterloo
Regional Development
State Development
Western Sydney

John Kaye's portfolios are:

Commerce
Education and Training
Energy
Fair Trading
Federal/State Relations
Finance
Illawarra
Industry and Employment
Information Technology & Communications
Infrastructure
Multicultural/Ethnic Affairs
Public Sector Management
Small Business & Regulatory Reform
Treasury
Water Utilities

Lee Rhiannon's portfolios are:

Gaming and Racing
Health
Science and Medical Research
Hunter
Industrial Relations
Mineral Resources
Youth
Women
Rural Affairs
Premiers and Cabinet
Transport
Roads
Ports and Waterways
Gay and Lesbian(LGBTI) issues
Electoral issues
Parliamentary process
South-East NSW

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