Tony Issa
Tony Issa | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Granville | |
| In office 26 March 2011 – 6 March 2015 | |
| Preceded by | David Borger |
| Succeeded by | Julia Finn |
| Lord Mayor of Parramatta Council | |
| In office 29 September 2008 – September 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Barry Barber |
| Succeeded by | Paul Garrard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 August 1955 Barsa, Lebanon |
| Died | 30 March 2025 (aged 69) Auburn, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Spouse | Sue Issa |
| Residence | Merrylands |
| Occupation | Self-employed |
Antoine Khalil Issa OAM (14 August 1955 – 30 March 2025) was an Australian politician who was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Granville for the Liberal Party from 2011 until the 2015 election when he lost the seat to Labor's Julia Finn.[1] Issa died in Auburn, New South Wales on 30 March 2025, at the age of 69.[2]
Early years and background
Issa migrated to Australia with his father in 1973, as one of seven children[3] of Lebanese Maronite Catholic background. Issa has extensive community involvement including:
- President, Bkerkacha Charitable Association (1989)
- Treasurer, Granville Multicultural Centre (1984–1987)
- President, Granville Multicultural Centre (1987–1991)
- Board member, Australian Lebanese Welfare Group (2004–2008)
- School representative, Catholic Diocesan Parramatta Regional Council (c.1992)
- Member, Bicentenary Committee (1988)
- Member, Western Sydney Assistant Services Ranking Committee
- Board member, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC)
- Chairman, Sister City Organisation
- Representative, Finance Complaint Services Board
- Committee member, Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Sydney
Local government career
Elected to Parramatta City Council in 1988, Issa served as an independent councillor until 1998 and then as a Liberal party councillor from 1998 to 2012.[2]
Issa was elected as deputy mayor from 2000 to 2001 and became the first Liberal Party lord mayor in New South Wales, serving between 2008 and 2009.[3][1][4]
State political career
In 1994, Issa contested unsuccessfully as an independent in the Parramatta by-election.
In 2011, he contested the normally safe[4][5] Labor seat of Granville in the Sydney's western suburbs. Running against the incumbent and high-profile[6] sitting member and Minister, David Borger.
Issa was elected with a swing of 13.1 points and won the seat with 52.7 per cent of the two-party vote.[4][5]
Honours
Issa was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1995 for service to local government and to the Lebanese community.[7]
Issa was awarded the Order of Local Government for more than 20 years service as a councillor on Parramatta City Council.
References
- ^ a b "Mr (Tony) Antoine Issa OAM". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
- ^ a b Vella, Joanne (30 March 2025). "Tony Issa: Former Granville MP, Parramatta Lord Mayor dies aged 69". Parramatta Advertiser. Archived from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2025 – via The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ a b Mills, Alison (7 October 2008). "Parramatta's Lebanese lord mayor a family man". Parramatta Sun. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
- ^ a b c Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Granville". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2011 – via ABC News.
- ^ a b Pender, Liam (31 March 2011). "First Liberal prays for wisdom". Parramatta Sun. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
- ^ Bartok, Di (5 November 2010). "Liberals' Tony Issa believes he can upset Labor MP David Borger". Parramatta Advertiser. News Limited. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Councillor Antoine (Tony) ISSA". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 12 June 1995. Australian Honours Search Facility. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2011.