Neil Symes

Neil Symes
Member of the Queensland Parliament
for Lytton
In office
24 March 2012 – 31 January 2015
Preceded by Paul Lucas
Succeeded by Joan Pease
Personal details
Born (1988-12-11) 11 December 1988
Political party Liberal National

Neil Aaron Symes (born 11 December 1988) is an Australian Liberal National politician who was the member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Lytton from 2012 to 2015.[1] He was the youngest member of the Queensland Parliament during his term.

Symes was educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School[2] and Griffith University. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminology and human services, majoring in child protection and family studies. He has worked at the Acacia Ridge and Districts Community Centre in Brisbane's South-West working as a community engagement officer with the Indigenous and African migrant communities. He also had a pivotal role in organising the multicultural festival, Party on in the Park, in 2009.[3] Before running for Parliament, he was a deli worker at Woolworths.[4]

Political career

At 23 years of age, Neil Symes was the youngest candidate for the Liberal National Party at the 2012 Queensland State election.[1]

He was elected with 51.10% of the two-party-preferred vote. Converting a safe Labor seat with a 12.2-point margin, to a 1.64-point marginal seat. Labor had held the seat since its inception – approximately 51 years.[1]

In March 2013, Symes created a furore by taking to Facebook to vent his frustrations over a rally that took place in November 2012, which saw the member for Lytton allegedly being threatened by protesters. In an article posted in the Courier Mail, Symes warned he would "get his mates on to you" if any such threats took place again.[5]

Symes was defeated by Joan Pease in the 2015 Queensland state election.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lytton – Queensland Votes 2012 – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Abc.net.au (4 April 2012). Retrieved on 2013-04-02.
  2. ↑ Mason, James (2011). Churchie: The Centenary Register. Brisbane, Australia: The Anglican Church Grammar School. ISBN 978-0-646-55807-3.
  3. ↑ Neil Symes. lnp.org.au
  4. ↑ Sullivan, Bianca (26 March 2012). "Lytton win for former Woolies worker Neil Symes". Wynnum Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/dont-make-me-get-my-mates-on-to-you-warns-lytton-mp-neil-symes/story-e6freoof-1226595936630
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by
Paul Lucas		 Member for Lytton
2012–2015 		Succeeded by
Joan Pease


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