Member for Cowper
Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law
Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House

Luke Hartsyuker was first elected to Parliament as the Federal Member for Cowper in 2001, following the retirement of Garry Nehl. Luke currently holds the position of Shadow Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs and Deputy Manager of Opposition Business.

Luke was born and educated in Muswellbrook and gained a Bachelor of Commerce at Newcastle University.  Following his graduation, he pursued a professional career in real estate and institutional property investment and development.  He is a member of CPAAustralia.

Prior to becoming the Federal Member for Cowper, Luke managed his family’s tourism business, ‘The Clog Barn’ in Coffs Harbour.

Sincehis election to Federal Parliament, Luke has been Chair of the Standing Committee on Education and Vocational Training and was a member of the Standing Committees on Privileges and Procedure. He has also been a member of the Standing Committee on Ageing plus Employment and Workplace Relations. 

On his re-election to the Parliament in 2007, Luke was appointed Shadow Minister for Business Development, Independent Contractors and Consumer Affairs and has been the Shadow Competition and Consumer Affairs Minister since September 2008.

Lukeis very passionate about upgrading of the Pacific Highway, improving our regional health system and creating employment opportunities in his electorate.

Luke was instrumental in securing $300 million for the Bonville Deviation road upgrade and was heavily involved in the major expansion of the Centrelink CallCentre in Coffs Harbour, which created around 300 jobs. He has also presided over the biggest increase in aged care funding for the North Coast area.

Lukewas awarded a Mayoral Commendation for rescues performed during the 1996 Coffs Harbour floods.  He is a patron of 11 local organisations, including the Royal Blind Society in Coffs Harbour, the North Coast Cricket Council and the Maclean and Coffs Harbour Historical Societies.

Luke is married to Irene and they have two sons, Ben and Paul.   He is a keen surfer and motorcycle enthusiast.

About the Cowper electorate

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Cowper covers an area of approximately 7911 sq km from Kempsey in the south to Maclean in the north. The main towns include Bellingen, Bowraville, Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo, Kempsey, Maclean, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Sawtell, South West Rocks, Urunga and Woolgoolga.

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