Robert Borsak
Robert Borsak | |
|---|---|
| Member of theNew South Wales Legislative Council | |
| Assumed office 7 September 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Roy Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 April 1953 Sydney,New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party |
| Children | Annie Borsak (née Saab) |
| Alma mater | University of Technology Sydney |
| Occupation | Accountant |
Robert Borsak(born 14 August 1953)[1][2]is the leader[citation needed]of theShooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFF).He represents the party in theNew South Wales Legislative Council.[3]He was chosen by the Shooters and Fishers Party to fill theNew South Wales Legislative Councilvacancy caused by the death ofRoy Smithon 30 July 2010.[4]
During his time in NSW Parliament, Borsak has advocated for more funding and services for rural and regional NSW,[5]defended the rights of law-abiding firearm users,[6]introduced a bill to criminalise attacks on farms by animal rights activists,[7]lobbied for further support of the greyhound racing industry[8]and railed against attempts to restrict recreational fishing.[9]Borsak has also called on the NSW Government to re-negotiate theMurray Darling Basin Plan,to secure a better deal for NSW farmers and regional communities.[10]Borsak also hasdenied human involvement in climate change,stating that "scientific research, reports and arguments supporting human blame for climate change, were wrong".[11]
Prior to be being elected to parliament, Borsak acted as Chairman of theGame Council NSW,which sets standards for conservation hunting in Australia.
He is an active hunter[12]and fisher.
He was a guest on the 2014 showLiving with the Enemy (Australian TV series)[13]
Political career
[edit]Borsak is a member of a number of Legislative Council committees,[1]which scrutinise government activity. He chaired an inquiry into the NSW Government decision to re-locate Sydney'sPowerhouse Museum.He has been publicly critical of both the cost of the museum move and the NSW Government's failure to release a business case.[14]
Under Borsak, SFF campaigned on a "biased for the bush" agenda during the 2019 state election campaign, pledging to divert funds and services away from Sydney and towards regional NSW.[15]The party achieved its best ever result at the election, winning three lower house seats.[16]Controversially, despite routine denial of preference deals between SFFP and the Labor Party,[17]Borsak was captured on film encouraging the taxi council to start a grassroots campaign to direct voters to Labor in the run-up to the February 2023 by-election[18]
In 2022, Borsak was criticised for comments that he made suggesting that independent MPHelen Dalton,who had recently left the SFF, "should be clocked."[19]Following Borsak's refusal to apologise for these comments, MPsRoy ButlerandPhilip Donatolater resigned from the party, after failing to remove Borsak as leader.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ab"The Hon. Robert BORSAK, MLC".Members of theParliament of New South Wales.Retrieved3 April2019.
- ^Who's Who in Australia
- ^"A Small Target".Stateline NSW.21 August 2009.
- ^AAP(9 August 2010)."Borsak Shooters' choice in upper house".Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved14 August2010.
- ^"SFF demand more funding for rural NSW".
- ^"Robert Borsak maiden speech"(PDF).
- ^"Borsak wants more done on animal rights 'terrorism'".
- ^"SFF support for greyhounds".ABC News.21 February 2019.
- ^"SFF warn premier on fishing bans".
- ^McGowan, Michael (24 March 2019)."SFF want action on Murray Darling Basin Plan".The Guardian.
- ^Fitzsimons, David (16 May 2019)."Vegan activists would face jail terms under SFF party legislation plan to help farmers".Western Advocate.Retrieved21 October2020.
- ^Bagshaw, Eryk (1 June 2016)."NSW MP Robert Borsak shoots and then eats elephant".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved3 January2022.
- ^https:// sbs.au/programs/article/2014/08/20/episode-6-hunting[bare URL]
- ^"Powerhouse museum business case".12 April 2018.
- ^"SFF pledge to be biased for the bush".Mirage News.
- ^"SFF rise in the bush".
- ^"MARK LATHAM IS A LIAR - NO DEALS WITH LABOR/GREENS".
- ^"SFF Leader Robert Borsak caught on camera advocating for Labor to win in key seat".
- ^"Robert Borsak says Independent MP Helen Dalton should be 'clocked' after heated debate in NSW Parliament".ABC News.27 September 2022.
- ^Cormack, Natassia Chrysanthos, Lucy (12 December 2022)."Shooters party in disarray after two MPs quit over leader's refusal to resign".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved3 January2023.
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