12 Facts About Wayne Berry

Wayne Berry was born in Sydney and educated in Taree, New South Wales.

Wayne Berry served in the New South Wales Fire Service from 1963 until 1972 and the Australian Capital Territory Fire Brigade from 1972 until 1989.

Wayne Berry is a Graduate Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers.

Wayne Berry was a member of the Federal Firefighters Union, serving as National President between 1986 and 1989.

Wayne Berry was elected to the first Legislative Assembly, initially as a member in a multi-member single electorate covering the entire Australian Capital Territory at the 1989 ACT general election and re-elected at the 1992 general election.

Wayne Berry stood for the electorate of Ginninderra at the 1995 general election and was re-elected; and again at the 1998,2001, and 2004 elections.

Wayne Berry was the first Minister for Community Services and Health in the Follett-led Labor government in a hung parliament.

Surprisingly, Follett's deputy, Paul Whalan resigned from the Assembly in November 1990 and Wayne Berry became Follet's deputy.

In 1991, when Follett succeeded Trevor Kaine as Chief Minister, Wayne Berry again assumed responsibilities as Minister for Health and became Deputy Chief Minister.

Wayne Berry became leader of the ALP in 1997 and his leadership ended when he led the party to defeat at the 1998 election.

Wayne Berry went on to serve as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly between 2001 and 2008.

Wayne Berry asked that the Commonwealth suggest amendments that the ACT Legislative Assembly could make so that the law was acceptable to the Federal Government.