Bob Debus (born Ryde, New South Wales, 1943,) is an Australian politician. He represents the Australian Labor Party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and is currently state Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment and Minister for the Arts. He holds the seat of Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Ryde, seen from Ryde Pier and showing the well-known twin spires. ... Emblems: Floral - Waratah (Telopea speciosissima); Bird - Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas); Animal - Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus); Fish - Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Slogan or Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Const. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is Australias oldest political party. ... The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. ... Cliff overlooking the Jamison Valley The Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, are situated approximately 100 kilometres west of Sydney. ...

Mr Debus has held several Ministerial positions in the NSW Government, including:

• March 2003 - Present - Attorney General and Minister for the Environment
• January 2001 - March 2003 - Attorney General, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts
• April 1999 - January 2001 - Minister for the Environment, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Corrective Services and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts
• April 1998 - April 1999 - Minister for Energy, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts
• December 1997 - April 1999 - Minister for Energy, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Corrective Services and Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts
• April 1995 - December 1997 - Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts
• 1986 - 1988 - Minister for Finance, Co-operative Societies and Assistant Minister for Education

When first elected to Cabinet in 1984, Mr Debus served as Minister for Employment and Minister for Finance.

On Monday 30 October, he annouced that he will retire from state politics when his term expires in March 2007. He will keep his portfolios.

Personal Profile

Educated at Homebush Boys High School and Sydney University graduating in Law and Arts from in 1967. Worked as a publisher and lawyer. ABC broadcaster, was Executive Producer of the ABCs Department of Radio Talks and Documentaries 1970, Executive Director of Australian Freedom from Hunger Campaign and Community Aid Abroad 1988-94. Advisor to Federal Minister for Administrative Services 1994-95. Homebush Boys High School, founded in 1936, is a comprehensive public high school located in Homebush, an Inner West suburb of Sydney, Australia. ... The University of Sydney, established in 1850, is the oldest university in Australia, and it is located in Sydney, the capital city of the state of New South Wales. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australias national public broadcaster. ...

Interests include third world issues, reading, theatre and bushwalking.

On the 16th of November 2006, Debus was accused by Peter Debnam under Parliamentary Privilege of being under investigation by the Police Integrity Commission. Peter Debnam (born 21 April 1954), Australian politician, is the leader of the Liberal Party in New South Wales and is the Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Peter Debham Redfern/Waterloo and Citizenship. ... Parliamentary privilege, also known as absolute privilege, is a legal mechanism employed within the legislative bodies of countries whose constitutions are based on the Westminster system. ...