Chris Holstein

Chris Holstein
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Gosford
In office 26 March 2011 – 28 March 2015
Preceded by	Marie Andrews
Succeeded by	Kathy Smith
Personal details
Born	19 May 1958 Waratah, New South Wales
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Profession	Small business owner
Website	Parliamentary webpage

Christopher David "Chris" Holstein (born 19 May 1958), an Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Gosford for the Liberal Party of Australia from 2011 to 2015.^[1]

Early years and background

Holstein has lived on the Central Coast since he was eight years of age, attending Gosford High School. His family has small businesses in the area and he became involved in local politics following flooding in the Narara Valley area in 1989.^[2] Elected to Gosford City Council in 1991^[3] initially as an independent Councillor, Holstein then later served as Mayor between 2002 and 2010,^[4] and during some of his time on Council, he represented the Liberal Party.^[5]

Holstein is married with five children and lives in the Narara Valley on the New South Wales Central Coast.^[2]

State political career

Holstein sought political office on several occasions prior to achieving success in 2011. In 2003, he ran as an independent candidate for Peats (now abolished) against Labor sitting member Marie Andrews. Holstein was excluded on the final distribution of preferences in favour of the Liberal candidate, and the seat was retained by Andrews.^[6] In 2007, he ran as the Liberal candidate for Gosford, again against Labor's Andrews. Holstein gained 45.1 per cent of the two-party vote and the seat was retained by Andrews.^[7]

Holstein was successful on the third occasion of running at the 2011 state election, again in Gosford, he achieved a swing of 15.4 points and won the seat with 61.9 per cent of the two-party vote.^[8] Holstein was part of a team labeled by the media as the 'Awesome Foursome' who won all four Central Coast seats for the Liberals at the 2011 State election.^[9]

References

1. "Mr (Chris) Christopher David Holstein, MP". Members of the NSW Legislative Assembly. Parliament of New South Wales. 28 April 2011. Archived from the original on 27 October 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
2. "Chris Holstein". NSW Candidates 2011. Liberal Party of Australia. Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
3. Collins, Terry (2 October 2009). "Challenges will keep re-elected Gosfod mayor Holstein on toes". Central Coast Express Advocate. News Limited. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
4. Collins, Terry (14 September 2010). "Holstein set to decide political future". Central Coast Express Advocate. News Limited. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
5. Collins, Terry (16 September 2008). "Holstein rides Liberal landslide". Central Coast Express Advocate. News Limited. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
6. "Preferential Count - Peats". Legislative Assembly election 2003. Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
7. "Preferential Count - Gosford". Legislative Assembly election 2007. Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
8. Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Gosford". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
9. McCumstie, Alicia (26 March 2011). "State election: `Awesome Foursome' lead Liberal landslide on Central Coast". Central Coast Express Advocate. News Limited. Retrieved 3 April 2011.