The Hon. Andrew Gee
A Champion for Regional Australia
For over a decade, I’ve had the privilege of representing the resilient and hardworking people of Calare, both as a State and Federal MP. From my time as the State Member for Orange in 2011 to my election as the Federal Member for Calare in 2016, my focus has always been clear: to ensure that country people and communities have their issues heard and receive the infrastructure and services they need and deserve.
Regional Roots
I was born in Wagga Wagga, raised in Maitland, and have lived in Orange for over twenty years so I understand the issues that are important to regional communities. During the bushfires, COVID-19 and the devasting floods, I worked at the coalface with our communities witnessing firsthand just how resilient they are.
Academic and Professional Achievements
I have achieved several milestones in my academic and professional journey, each contributing to my development as a dedicated Federal representative:
Bachelor of Economics (Hons.)
Bachelor of Laws
Barrister Appointment
Government Appointments
My extensive service in my government appointments have solidified my commitment to public service and deepened my connection with our community:
State Member for Orange in the NSW Parliament (26 March 2011 – 30 May 2016): Representing Orange at the state level allowed me to address local issues directly and develop a hands-on approach to governance.
Federal Member for Calare in the Australian Parliament (2 July 2016 - incumbent): Serving Calare at the federal level has enabled me to bring local issues to the national stage, ensuring our community's voice is heard in the highest levels of government.
Ministerial Appointments
Throughout my time in Government, I have held various Ministerial positions, which have equipped me with extensive experience in governance and policy reform:
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister (25 January 2019 – 6 February 2020)
Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education (6 February 2020 – 2 July 2021)
Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment (6 February 2020 – 2 July 2021)
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs (2 July 2021 – 23 May 2022)
Minister for Defence Personnel (2 July 2021 – 23 May 2022)
Transition to Independent Representation
In December 2022, I made the decision to transition to independent representation, driven by a desire to better serve the needs of Calare free from the constraints of party politics. I believe that many people in our communities are sick of MP’s just towing a party line and voting how the party bosses tell them to. This move has allowed me to advocate even more effectively for the issues that matter most to you, empowering me to introduce impactful legislation and champion meaningful reforms in Parliament that deliver real results for our communities.
You can read my statement on why I left the National Party here.
Legislative Action and Continued Advocacy
As the former Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Minster for Decentralisation and Regional Education and Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment I have the experience and runs on the board to know how to get the best results for the people of Calare.
As I continue to fight for the people of Calare in Canberra, I remain steadfast in my dedication to securing education opportunities, fostering job creation, driving economic growth, and ensuring essential infrastructure development for our region. Each of these priorities is critical to improving the quality of life for our constituents and ensuring the long-term prosperity of our region.