About Laurie

Laurie Ferguson MP is a Federal Member of Parliament. He is married to Maureen Walsh and has lived in the Western Suburbs for several decades.

Laurie was elected to Federal Parliament in 1990. He joined the ALP in 1967 and has held positions at branch and electorate council level. Laurie has been a member of the NSW Administrative Committee (State Executive) and various policy committees.

Laurie grew up in the Western Suburbs.  He received a Master of Arts (History) and Bachelor of Economics from Sydney University and later served on the University Senate.

From 1976-84 Laurie was a research officer with the Federated Miscellaneous Workers Union. During that period, he represented many local workers in negotiations. Laurie worked closely with the national secretary, Ray Gietzelt and firmly believes the skills learned during this period kept him on a path of life long learning and pursuit of social justice.

Within the Federal Parliament Laurie has been particularly interested in Foreign Affairs, Immigration, housing, the environment, overseas aid, and industry development. Over the course of his career Laurie has held a variety of Shadow Ministerial roles including Immigration and Defence Personnel, Multicultural Affairs, Urban Development, and Consumer Affairs.

He has also held positions on a number of committees including: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade; Public Accounts; Migration; Electoral Matters; Treaties; Industry, Science and Technology; Long Term Strategies; Employment, Education and Training; and Library. Laurie’s main pastimes are reading, cinema and sports.