Laurie Brereton - Definition and Overview

Hon Laurie Brereton

Laurence John "Laurie" Brereton (born 29 May 1946), Australian politician, was an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1990 to October 2004, representing the Division of Kingsford Smith, New South Wales. He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and was an electrical tradesman before entering politics.

Brereton served in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 1970-71 and 1973-90. He was Minister for Health 1981-84, Minister for Roads 1983-84 and 1984-87, Minister for Public Works 1984-87 and Minister for Employment 1984.

In the federal Parliament, Brereton was Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister 1991-93, Minister for Industrial Relations 1993-96, Minister for Transport 1993-96, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Public Service Matters 1993.

Brereton was a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry 1996-2001. Taking into account his service in the New South Wales Parliament, Brereton had the longest period of parliamentary service of any member of the Parliament elected in 2001. In June 2004 he announced his retirement from politics at the 2004 federal election. He helped engineer the candidacy of the rock singer Peter Garrett as his successor in the seat.