Philip Donato (Italian: [doˈnaːto]; born 1972)[2] is an Australian politician, currently serving as the member for Orange in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.[3] Donato was a police officer and prosecutor before entering politics, and was elected at a by-election for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party following the resignation of National Party MP Andrew Gee.[4][5]
He is the first member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party to represent a lower house seat, joining Legislative Council members Robert Borsak and Robert Brown in the Parliament of New South Wales.[4]
On 12 December 2022, Donato resigned from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party following a dispute with the party's leadership over comments concerning fellow member Helen Dalton: he accordingly announced that he would contest the 2023 New South Wales state election as an independent.[6][7]
References
- ^ "Candidates - The Legislative Assembly District of Orange". Elections NSW. New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Rurenga, Declan (20 November 2016). "Orange's newest parliamentarian guided by justice and fairness". Central Western Daily. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Mr Philip Donato MP". Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- ^ a b "Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party claim first seat in NSW Lower House after Orange re-count". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ "Orange byelection shock as NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party 'trumps' Nationals". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ Holmes, Peter (11 December 2022). ""It's a sad day": Phil Donato quits after fallout with leader". Orange News Examiner. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Donato, Phil (15 December 2022). "Phil Donato: Why I quit the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party". Sporting Shooter. Retrieved 14 October 2023.