Paul Pearce

Paul Pearce MP
File:Paul Pearce NSW Politician.jpg
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Coogee
In office 2003 – 2011
Preceded by	Ernie Page
Succeeded by	Bruce Notley-Smith
Mayor of Waverley Municipal Council
In office 1997–2004
Councillor of Waverley Municipal Council
In office 1983–2004
Personal details
Born	(1956-02-07) 7 February 1956
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Website	Parliamentary webpage

Paul Ronald Pearce (born 7 February 1956) is an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Coogee between 2003 and 2011 for the Australian Labor Party.

Early life and education

Pearce was educated at Granville Public School, Bronte Public School and Sydney Boys High School. He has received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London External Programme.

Political career

He was self-employed in the textile industry between 1977-1997 and was a councillor of Waverley Municipal Council between 1983 and 2004, serving as Mayor of Waverley between 1997 and 2004. From 1996 to 2001, he was the director of the Southern Sydney Waste Management Board. He stood unsuccessfully for the federal seat of Wentworth in 1993, 1996 and 1998.

While Mayor of Waverley Council, Pearce was noted for his pony tail, but this was ruled out by Labor party organisers at the 2003 election.

At the 2011 state election, Pearce lost the seat of Coogee to Liberal Party of Australia candidate and former City of Randwick Mayor Bruce Notley-Smith. Pearce was one of several Labor MPs from comfortably safe Labor seats who were swept out in the massive Coalition landslide that year. He'd previously held Coogee with a majority of seven percent, but was toppled on a 15 percent swing.

References

Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by Ernie Page	Member for Coogee 2003 – 2011	Succeeded by Bruce Notley-Smith