Former Assistant President

Legislative Council NSW Parliament

Elected to the Legislative Council December 2009 – March 2023. In Feb 2010 Shaoquett served as Temporary Chair of Committees, acting as deputy President. He served on many committees throughout his 14 years of service.

Before entering Parliament he was Rockdale City Councilor from 1995 until 2009, serving four times as Deputy Mayor and four times as Mayor. He has been an active member of the Australian Labor Party since 1982.

Shaoquett has strong interests in a number of areas including Justice, Aboriginal Affairs, Local Government, Multicultural Affairs as well as International Affairs with particular focus on the West Asia and Australia Asia Pacific relations.

Shaoquett is passionate about representing the interests of migrant communities and champions the rights of the many communities throughout the nation.

In 2012 Shaoquett established the Multicultural and Indigenous Media Awards, which recognizes outstanding Multicultural and Indigenous media and journalists across Australia. In 2014 he established the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards, the first of its kind in Australia. In 2012 established the Arabic friends of Labor, launched the Forum for Middle East Affairs and in 2019 Established Kids on Wheels Alliance Inc.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Law from the Solicitors Admission Board and Practicing Certificate NSW Law Society.
• Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors: NSW Supreme Court.
• Degree in Law, University of New South Wales.
• Master’s Degree in Politics, Macquarie University.
• Arts Degree in Politics and Government Administration, University of Sydney.