Biography
The Hon. Warren Entsch MP
Warren Entsch is currently the Federal Member for Leichhardt and Chief Opposition Whip. Warren has spent most of his life living, working and travelling extensively in Far North Queensland, making him fully aware of issues directly affecting Queensland's northern-most residents.
Warren's diverse career history has given him a unique insight when representing his constituency in Canberra. He has worked as a railway porter, insurance clerk, real estate salesman, fitter and turner with a mining company, grazier, and crocodile farmer. He served Australia for nine years in the RAAF as an aircraft engine fitter, and has been Chairman of the Cape York Peninsula Advisory Group and the Peninsula Brach of the Cattlemen's Union and was Vice Chairman of the Australian Crocodile Industry Association.
Warren's personal interests are just as diverse as his professional, and include horse riding, art, aviculture and bushwalking. But his biggest love, aside from his family, is his Harley Davidson.
Warren was first elected to Parliament in March 1996 as the Member for Leichhardt, Australia's eighth largest electorate. The region is an important tourist destination and supports vital pastoral, sugar, fishing and mining industries.
During his first term in office, Warren was Chairman of the Joint Statutory Committee on Native Title and Aboriginal Land Fund. Between 1996 and 1998 he was a member of the House of Representatives Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and Joint Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts.
Warren was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources from 1998 to 2001. In 2002, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, a position which he held up to the 25th January 2006.
Warren Entsch resigned as the Parliamentary Secretary to devote more time to his electorate prior to his retirement from politics at the 2007 election and to give him more time to spend with number one priority his 12 year-old-son and family.
Warren is personally proud of the many achievements he made in the portfolio which will pay dividends for these important industries in the future.
He presided over the implementation of the Off Shore Safety Regime, which saw important safety measures put in place for oil industry workers. Warren was responsible for overseeing the facilitation of an action agenda which will enable the industries of furniture, restaurant, catering, cement, mining technology services, advance manufacturing and aerospace industries, which aim to enhance leadership in those industries while developing strategies for growth, agree on priorities and make commitments to change. Substantial achievements were also made in the continued development and refinement of the Australian Intellectual Property System during his time in the portfolio.
However, prior to retiring in 2007 Warren named his accomplishment in granting greater access of tourists to protected areas as one of his personal triumphs, giving increased recognition to the tourism industry’s commitment to conservation as well as a boost to indigenous tourism.
Warren has passionately advocated for same sex unions and gay rights throughout his career as well as being a significant driver in mental health reform.
In 2010, Warren decided to recontest the seat of Leichhardt to win back his seat after having had three quality years with his teenage son before he ventured off to university.
Warren regained his seat with a massive 8.61% swing and has re-entered political life with vigour and passion and a commitment to bring about a thriving regional economy that his constituents can be proud of. He says he is up for the challenge and knows it will be a no easy feat and it will require the support and collaboration of the community.
Warren says it is time for the community to think big and dare to dream to bring about change.