1. About Sonia

About Sonia

Biography

The Hon Sonia Hornery MP was first elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly, as a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), in 2007, and was re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. Sonia was elected as Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on 9 May 2023.

Sonia grew up in Housing Commission in Edgeworth and Windale, before moving into rented accommodation in Wallsend and West Wallsend. Starting work as a teenager, she has been a long time member of her union. Sonia studied teaching at the University of Newcastle to begin her career as a high school History teacher in NSW public schools, where she taught at schools in Walgett, Kempsey and in the Hunter, followed by working at Hunter Brain Injury Respite Options and in the Army Reserves. Determined to put her community first and to serve people more fully, she moved towards public office.

Sonia was awarded the Newcastle History Prize in 2002 for her History Honours thesis, and was an Elected Councillor at Newcastle City Council (2002-2008) before being elected to NSW Parliament. She works effectively with Opposition parties, understands that her community’s expectations are high, and that her job is to deliver results.

Sonia’s interests are resolutely community-based. She is zealous in her support of the vulnerable, under-privileged and under-represented, and therefore takes a keen interest in jobs, infrastructure, affordable public housing, quality public education and healthcare. She makes regular personal community contributions, including to the Rotary Club of Wallsend-Maryland, the Lions Club of Lambton-New Lambton Auxiliary, the Wallsend Heritage Group, and various sporting clubs. Sonia believes in personal health and fitness, and in her limited spare time she enjoys swimming, reading and plays the piano and the ukulele in the Newcastle group Ukestra.

Current Positions

PositionStart
Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly24 Mar 2007
Member for Wallsend24 Mar 2007
Deputy Speaker09 May 2023
Member, Standing Orders and Procedure Committee22 Jun 2023

Prior Positions

PositionStartEnd
Shadow Minister for Science and Medical Research11 Dec 201308 Apr 2015
Shadow Minister for the Arts28 Mar 201408 Apr 2015
Shadow Minister for the Hunter11 Dec 201308 Apr 2015
Temporary Speaker07 May 201903 Mar 2023
Temporary Speaker07 Feb 201816 Oct 2018
Temporary Speaker06 May 201125 Feb 2014
Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Roads23 Sep 200816 Nov 2009
Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Transport08 May 200705 Sep 2008
Member, Legal Affairs Committee22 Jun 201106 Mar 2015
Member, Social Policy Committee22 Jun 201106 Mar 2015
Chair, Standing Committee on Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities11 Mar 201004 Mar 2011
Member, Public Bodies Review Committee11 Mar 201004 Mar 2011
Member, Standing Committee on Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities25 Feb 201011 Mar 2010
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