Canberra Votes

On 26 August 2008, ACT Liberal MLA Bill Stefaniak announced that he would not be standing for re-election at the October election. Mr. Stefaniak has been appointed to the ACT Civil Administrative Tribual and has also indicated that he is leaving politics to spend more time with his family.

Mr. Stefaniak was kind enough to let us film the following piece in which he reflects about his multiple terms in the ACT Legislative Assembly and his plans for life and work beyond the Legislative Assembly.

“About Bill” (from www.billstefaniak.com.au)

Bill’s interests include rugby union, tennis, bushwalking and recreational shooting.

Bill has spent most of his life in Canberra, actively participating in community life and sporting, recreational and educational activities in the Territory.

He is a strong supporter of community initiatives like Nighbourhood Watch and is patron of a number of clubs and associations including ACT Rugby Union, Universities Rugby Club, the ACT and Far South Coast Anglers Association, Western District Cricket Club, ACT Astros, ACT Hockey, Belconnen Soccer Club, the Annual Hall Family Yabbie Festival and co-Patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of the ACT.

He has tutored and taught in Law and Economics at the Canberra Institute of Technology and is a former Major in the Australian Army Reserve. Bill has worked with the Liberal Party in its Federal and ACT campaigns since his student days at the ANU.

As a very active representative for Ginniderra Bill has made substantial contributions to legislative and social changes in Canberra.

Between 1989 and 1992 Bill was Deputy Speaker and for 18 months Executive Deputy for Police, Justice, Sport, Recreation and Racing. In 1991 he was also Deputy Leader. From 1995 to 1998, Bill was Minister for Education and Training, Children’s, Youth & Family Services, Housing, and Sport, Recreation and Racing.

Bill played in a number of matches for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association during the recent Rugby World Cup in France.

Unluckily, Bill missed out playing England.

Between 1998 and 2001, Bill Stefaniak was Minister for Education with responsibility for Schools Education, Vocational Education and Training, Sport and Recreation. He was Minister for Police and Emergency Services in 2000, and from 2000 to 2001 Attorney-General.

In May 2006, Bill was elected Leader of the Opposition and retains the position of Shadow Attoney-General whilst holding a number of other Shadow Portfolio responsibilities.

As a result of his involvement and experience, Bill has a wide knowledge of the ACT and region, and a real concern and interest in issues facing the Canberra community.

Bill is married to Shirley and they have five children.