Ross Vasta
Ross Vasta MP | |
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Member of the Australian Parliament for Bonner | |
Assumed office 22 August 2010 | |
Preceded by | Kerry Rea |
In office 9 October 2004 – 24 November 2007 | |
Preceded by | Seat created |
Succeeded by | Kerry Rea |
Personal details | |
Born |
Melbourne, Australia | 8 October 1966
Nationality | Australian |
Political party |
Liberal (2004–2007) LNP (2010– ) |
Spouse(s) | Fang Zhao |
Children | 2 |
Occupation | Company director |
Website | www.rossvasta.com.au |
Ross Xavier Vasta (born 8 October 1966), Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Bonner, Queensland for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. He defeated the former Labor minister and candidate Con Sciacca.
Vasta was educated at Villanova College in the Brisbane suburb of Coorparoo, and attended Griffith University, where he graduated with a commerce degree. He started and operated three Italian cuisine restaurants named Elio's and worked as a company director before entering politics.[1] At the 2001 federal election, Vasta was the Liberal Party candidate for the Division of Griffith. He was defeated by the sitting member, Kevin Rudd, who in November 2007, became Prime Minister of Australia.
Vasta was a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations and Workforce Participation, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing, and the Government Backbench Policy Committee – Health and Ageing.
In the Australian federal election, 2007, Vasta was defeated by Labor candidate Kerry Rea on a swing of 4.75 points, the lowest against a Liberal incumbent in Queensland.
Following his election defeat, Vasta successfully contested Liberal Party preselection for the Brisbane City Council ward of Wynnum-Manly in Brisbane's east. He was defeated by the Labor incumbent, polling 36% of the primary vote.
Vasta decided once again to stand for election as Liberal National Party candidate at the Australian federal election, 2010 for Bonner. On 21 August, he defeated the woman who had defeated him in 2007, Labor Incumbent Kerry Rea, by a 53% to 47% margin.[2] Vasta achieved a 7-point swing towards him, one of the highest to any Liberal candidate in Queensland.
Notes
- ↑ About Ross Vasta Vasta Campaign Website. (retrieved 15 August 2007)
- ↑ Election Results "ABC Elections". 22 August 2010
External links
Parliament of Australia | ||
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New division | Member for Bonner 2004–2007 |
Succeeded by Kerry Rea |
Preceded by Kerry Rea |
Member for Bonner 2010–present |
Incumbent |