Chris Patterson (politician)

Chris Patterson MP
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Camden
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 March 2011
Preceded by	Geoff Corrigan
Majority	18.9 points (2011)
Personal details
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s)	Vicki Patterson
Residence	Camden
Website	Parliamentary webpage

Christopher Stewart "Chris" Patterson MP, an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Camden for the Liberal Party of Australia since the 2011.^[1]

Early life and background

Patterson has lived in the Camden area for over 25 years. A former TAFE teacher, he later managed the Merino Tavern, and was elected to Camden Council in 2000. He did not seek re-election in 2004; stood again at a by-election in 2005; and became mayor in 2006.^[2]

Patterson generated significant public profile between 2007 and 2009 as Camden Council rejected an application from the Quranic Society seeking Council's permission to develop land for the construction of a four-day Islamic school within the local government area. The Society took Camden Council to the New South Wales Land and Environment Court, and sought to have Council's ruling overturned. The Court rejected the Society's application, amidst race and religion-based arguments. Patterson, as mayor, was the vocal spokesperson defending Council's actions.^[3][4][5][6]

Political career

In 2007, Patterson successfully sought Liberal Party pre-selection for Camden and ran against Labor's Geoff Corrigan, but was defeated.^[2][7] On 21 October 2010, the Liberal Party announced that Patterson was endorsed as the party's candidate for Camden ahead of the 2011 State election.^[8] Patterson was elected with a swing of 21.9 points and won the seat with 68.9 per cent of the two-party vote.^[2] His main opponent was Corrigan, representing Labor.

References

1. "Mr (Chris) Christopher Stewart Patterson, MP". Members of the NSW Legislative Assembly. Parliament of New South Wales. 28 April 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
2. Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Camden". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
3. Senescall, Rebecca; Narushima, Yuko (6 November 2007). "Backlash over new Islamic school". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
4. Ward, Matthew; Campbell, David (2 June 2009). "Camden Islamic school plans turned down by NSW Land and Environment Court". Macarthur Chronicle. News Limited. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
5. Herbert, Bronwyn (2 June 2009). "Islamic school rejected". PM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
6. "Quranic Society appeal over rejected Camden Islamic school rejected". The Australian. News Limited. AAP. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
7. Ward, Matthew (28 September 2009). "Camden mayor Chris Patterson's state run is still on cards". Macarthur Chronicle. News Limited. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
8. "Chris Patterson wins Liberal Party preselection for state seat of Camden". Macarthur Chronicle. News Limited. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2011.

External links

• Mr (Chris) Christopher Stewart PATTERSON, MP. Parliament of New South Wales.