Graham Annesley

Graham Annesley
Minister for Sport and Recreation
In office 3 April 2011 – 28 August 2013
Premier	Barry O'Farrell
Preceded by	Kevin Greene
Succeeded by	Gabrielle Upton
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Miranda
In office 26 March 2011 – 28 August 2013
Preceded by	Barry Collier
Succeeded by	Barry Collier
Majority	21.0% (2011)
Personal details
Born	(1957-05-26) 26 May 1957
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Domestic partner	Erica Clark
Children	Two
Residence	Sylvania, New South Wales
Occupation	Sport administrator
Website	Parliamentary webpage

Graham Annesley (born 26 May 1957), an Australian former politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Miranda for the Liberal Party of Australia from 2011 to 2013. From 3 April 2011 to 28 August 2013 he was the Minister for Sport and Recreation in the O'Farrell Government.

Annesley is the chief executive officer of the Gold Coast Titans team in the National Rugby League. Annesley is a former chief operating officer of the National Rugby League, and a former leading rugby league referee.

Rugby league

Annesley commenced his rugby league career with the Parramatta District Rugby League Referees Association. Starting as a 13-year-old referee, Annesley also undertook later administrative roles in the Association, including Secretary (1979–1980) and President (1985–1988). He was elected as a Life Member of the Association in 1984.

Rising through the refereeing ranks, Annesley became a first grade referee in 1982. Between 1982 and 1997 he controlled 244 first-grade matches and six finals matches. He is ranked number 12 in the list of all-time first grade matches refereed.

Annesley's notable representative appointments include the 1994 State of Origin and test matches between Great Britain and Australia, also in 1994.

Annesley's business career included appointments with DHL Worldwide Express, McWilliams Wines, Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) and the Roads and Traffic Authority. He became a full-time sports administrator in 1995 as director of football for the NRL, promoted to chief operating officer in 2002.

Annesley is credited with introducing the video referee system in 1996.

Away from rugby league, Annesley is an Australia Day ambassador for Liverpool Shire Council.

Politics

Pre-selected by the Liberal Party to contest Miranda at the 2007 state election, Annesley was defeated by the sitting Labor member Barry Collier by a margin of 603 votes. He again contested the seat at the March 2011 elections and was elected, receiving a swing of 21.8% in the traditionally Liberal seat, winning 71.0% of the vote on a two-party preferred basis. As Collier retired at the election, Annesley's main competitor was Therese Cook, representing Labor.

Annesley was subsequently appointed Minister for Sport and Recreation in the O'Farrell–Stoner coalition government. On 28 August 2013 he announced his resignation as Minister for Sport and Recreation and his intention to resign from Parliament to become CEO of the Gold Coast Titans, triggering a 2013 Miranda by-election on 19 October. Annesley in his resignation to Parliament said he never regarded himself as a politician and that there were many aspects of politics he did not care for and he has always felt more at home as a sports administrator.

Annesley said in October 2013 that he got Telstra to put in mobile reception for a new property he bought with his wife at Yowie Bay six months prior for free, claiming he couldn't do his job as a Minister otherwise.

External links

• The Hon. Graham ANNESLEY, MP – Parliament of New South Wales.
• Graham Annesley, MP – Liberal Party of Australia.
• Maiden Speech – Parliament of New South Wales.

Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by Barry Collier	Member for Miranda 2011–2013	Succeeded by Barry Collier