Barry O'Farrell - Member of Parliament

Member of Parliament

In late 1994 Baird announced his intention to quit State politics and urged O'Farrell to run for Northcott. He accepted the opportunity and was preselected and subsequently elected to Baird's seat of Northcott on 25 March 1995 at the 1995 election with 60.05% of the primary vote, 68.63% after preferences against ALP candidate and future federal MP for Fraser, Andrew Leigh.

In his maiden speech to Parliament on 19 September 1995 O'Farrell set out his political beliefs.

"Obviously, my political philosophy is Liberal. It is liberal in its concern for the rights of the individual and it is conservative in its respect for the values of the past, and recognises the limitations of both individuals and government. Many find it difficult to come to terms with the existence of both liberal and conservative strands in Liberal Party philosophy. Countless pointless debates occur on the issue and I appreciate that nothing I say will end them. However, for me there is no difficulty; instead of a problem, I see a strength. The two strands allow my party to tackle issues and govern in a way which builds upon those good elements of the past by adding those positive components from our changing society." —Barry O'Farrell, Parliament, 26 September 1996

A year later in debating the Carr Government decision to remove the Governor of New South Wales from Government House O'Farrell told Parliament:

"I am a Liberal. That does not mean that I am conservative ... I have respect for our traditions and for our institutions. That does not mean that I am wedded to them without good reason. If there is a better way I and other members on this side of the House will embrace that better way. But we will embrace it only if we are convinced that it is a better way, that there has been consultation on it and majority support for it, and that it will do nothing to undermine the peaceful democracy in which we live." —Barry O'Farrell, Parliament, 26 September 1996

On 14 December 1998, State Opposition Leader Kerry Chikarovski appointed O'Farrell Shadow Minister for Small Business and Information Technology. When his seat of Northcott was abolished in the 1998 redistribution, O'Farrell decided to contest the seat of Ku-ring-gai, which had been vacated by the sitting member, Stephen O'Doherty, who had moved to contest the seat of Hornsby following the redistribution. O'Farrell was elected at the March 1999 election, gaining 56.3% of the primary vote and 70.03% after preferences. When Ron Phillips was defeated at the election, thereby vacating the Deputy Leadership, O'Farrell stood for the position and was elected on 31 March 1999, beating Chris Hartcher by one vote. Chikarovski then appointed him on 19 April 1999 to the senior role of Shadow Minister for Transport, dropping Small Business. At the failed 1999 Republic Referendum, O'Farrell voted no, and reaffirmed his refusal to support any proposal that he thinks would be less effective than the current system of Constitutional Monarchy. He represented Northcott until its abolition on 26 March 1999.

In a further Shadow Cabinet reshuffle on 4 January 2002, O'Farrell lost Information Technology and became Shadow Minister for Innovation. However, when John Brogden deposed Chikarovski as Leader on 28 March 2002, O'Farrell also lost the Deputy Leadership 11 votes to 9 to Chris Hartcher. O'Farrell was sacked and sent to the backbench by Brogden. However, on 1 September 2002, Brogden appointed him as Shadow Minister for Education and Training and Shadow Special Minister of State.

Following the March 2003 State election loss, at which he was re-elected with an increased 61.11% and 71.60% of the two-party preferred vote, O'Farrell successfully contested the deputy's position, replacing Hartcher. Brogden then appointed him on 8 April 2003 as Shadow Minister for Health, dropping his Education portfolio. After the resignation of John Brogden as leader on 29 August 2005, O'Farrell was considered the foremost contender for leadership. However, following Brogden's suicide attempt the next day, he withdrew his candidacy stating he did not believe he could ensure party unity and remained as Deputy Leader, leaving the road clear for Peter Debnam. Debnam then appointed him as Shadow Leader of the House, Shadow Minister for Transport and Shadow Minister for Waterways on 20 March 2006. In a November reshuffle, he was shifted to the senior position of Shadow Treasurer.