Ministers
The NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services is responsible to the following Ministers:
The Hon. Andrew Stoner, MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Trade and Investment
Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services
Contact details and more about Deputy Premier Stoner
The Deputy Premier, the Honourable Andrew Stoner MP, holds the portfolios of the Minister for Trade and Investment and the Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services.
Andrew Stoner was first elected into Parliament as the Nationals Member for Oxley on March 27 1999 and was elected Leader of the NSW Nationals in March 2003. Andrew previously held the Shadow Ministerial positions of Roads and Ports, and State and Regional Development.
Andrew was born in 1960, growing up in Brisbane before moving with his family to Grafton. A keen surfer and committed father of six, Andrew and his wife Cathy are proud residents of Wauchope on the NSW Mid North Coast. Andrew believes in the importance of family and a fair go for all.
As Deputy Premier and Leader of the NSW Nationals, Andrew is dedicated to bringing common sense back into how our State is governed. He is the proud leader of the only party that was formed solely to represent people living outside the major cities.
Prior to entering Parliament, Andrew obtained a Bachelor of Business and a Master in Business Administration and worked as an employment agency manager.
Andrew’s commitment to his community has been exemplified through his involvement in organisations such as Rotary, Lions, Chambers of Commerce and his church.
During his time in Parliament, Andrew Stoner has been given responsibility in serving several high profile ministerial portfolios, including Shadow Minister for Education, Skills Development, Emergency Services, Sport and Recreation, Natural Resources, Energy and Utilities, Utilities, Road Infrastructure and Water Utilities as well as the Nationals Deputy Whip.
The Hon. Chris Hartcher, MP
Minister for Resources and Energy
Special Minister of State
Minister for the Central Coast
Contact details and more about Minister Hartcher
As Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State and Minister for the Central Coast, Chris Hartcher brings a strong background in regional affairs to these important portfolios.
In 1970, after graduating from University with a degree in law, Chris moved to The Entrance to practice law.
First elected in 1988 as the Member for Gosford to the NSW Parliament, Chris has held many positions - serving as Government Whip from 1991 to 1992 and then serving as Minister for the Environment from June 1992 - 1995 in the Fahey Government.
While Minister for the Environment, Chris was responsible for developing the national initiative on lead free petrol and for the creation of a number of new National Parks and Wilderness Areas including Mount Popran National Park on the Central Coast.
After the Fahey Government left office in 1995, Chris held a number of positions on the front bench of the Opposition - he has been Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 2002 - 2003, Shadow Attorney General, Shadow Minister for Planning, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Shadow Minister for Ports.
After the electoral redistribution in 2006, Chris stood for the new seat of Terrigal at the March 2007 NSW State Election.
More recently Chris was Shadow Minister Intergovernmental Relations, Shadow Special Minister of State and Shadow Minister for the Central Coast.
On 3 April 2011, Hartcher was appointed by Premier Barry O'Farrell to the Cabinet as Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for the Central Coast, and Special Minister of State.
The Hon. George Souris, MP
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing
Minister for the Arts
Contact details and more about Minister Souris
A very experienced Minister and Shadow Minister in several NSW parliaments, the Honourable George Souris MP is Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing and Minister for the Arts.
Born in 1949 in Gunnedah, George was educated at the Armidale School and the University of New England. He is a Qualified Public Accountant, Company Auditor and Taxation Consultant and was formerly a partner in the accounting practice of Hudson, Souris and Co. at Singleton.
George began his political career as a Shire Councillor of Singleton Shire Council for seven years, including four years as Deputy President.
First elected to Parliament in March 1988 as the member for the Upper Hunter, for the National Party, he has held many significant portfolios and positions, including his elected position of Deputy Leader of the National Party in 1993 and Leader of the National Party in 1999.
Portfolios have included Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing and Minister Assisting the Premier (1991), Minister for Finance and Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Ethnic Affairs (1992), Minister for Land and Water Conservation (1993), and then Shadow Minister for Public Works & Roads (1995), Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and Services and Shadow Minister for Gaming (2002), Shadow Minister for State Development and Shadow Minister for Gaming & Racing (2003), and Shadow Minister for Gaming & Racing, Sport & Recreation & Major Events (2007).
He was appointed as Treasurer of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association in August 2009.
George has had a long and active personal interest in the Arts and keen involvement in sport (he has a University Blue in Rugby and has represented the Gordon Club, NSW Country, Australian Universities and the Australian Colts rugby teams). He is also a past member of Sydney University Regiment.
George is a committed family man, married to Vassy. They have two sons.
The Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson, MP
Minister for Primary Industries
Minister for Small Business
Contact details and more about Minister Hodgkinson
The Honourable Katrina Hodgkinson MP is Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Small Business.
As a fifth generation Yass resident, Katrina Hodgkinson is a relentless advocate for rural NSW, bringing a robust energy to the pivotal roles of Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Small Business, with a background in farming and small business.
Katrina grew up on a superfine Merino property between Yass and Murrumbateman.
Prior to entering parliament, she was the owner and operator of a wool and fine arts retail enterprise in Yass and Bowral and worked for a property development company.
Katrina then became an adviser to Senator Nick Minchin, Minister for Industry, Science and Resources from 1997 to 1999.
She was elected to Parliament in 1999 and has since represented the seat of Burrinjuck in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
She has previously held the Shadow Ministerial portfolio of Small Business, Fair Trading, Rural Affairs, Tourism, Major Events, Community Services and Natural Resource Management.
Katrina currently serves as the patron of many community groups and associations, including the South West Slopes Chapter of the National Serviceman’s Association and various Agricultural Show Societies.
On 3 April 2011, Katrina Hodgkinson was appointed by Premier Barry O'Farrell to the Cabinet as the State’s first ever female NSW Minister for Primary Industries and is also the Minister for Small Business.
Katrina is married with two children and lives at Yass.