Damien Tudehope

Damien Francis Tudehope (born 1953)^[2] is an Australian politician who was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the member for Epping for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2015 New South Wales state election.

Early life and education

Tudehope was educated at the University of Sydney where he received a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws.^[3] He has been a small business owner, worked as the Chief of Staff to the former Attorney-General Greg Smith in the O'Farrell ministry, and as a partner at O'Hara and Company Solicitors.^[4]

Tudehope has also acted as spokesperson for the Australian Family Association.^[5]

Member of Parliament

Tudehope nominated for Liberal Party preselection for the state seat of Epping following Greg Smith's retirement from politics.^[6]

At the 2015 New South Wales state election, Tudehope achieved 54.3% of the primary vote, the second-best outcome in the history of the seat of Epping.^[7]

In his inaugural speech, Tudehope cited housing affordability as a key issue that needed addressing.^[8]

On 3 June 2015, Tudehope was appointed Chair for the Committee on the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and Deputy Chair for the Committee on Children and Young People.^[9]

Personal life

Damien Tudehope lives in West Pennant Hills with wife Diane and has nine children born between 1979 and 2000. He is Catholic and is a former spokesman for the socially conservative Australian Family Association. He ran against the Liberal party in 1999 as the Australian Family Alliance candidate for the NSW Legislative Council and has in the past nominated for the seats of Baulkham Hills, Ryde and Epping for the Liberal party but withdrew each time before the preselection stage.^[10]

References