ABOUT HUGH
MORE ABOUT HUGH
Hugh McDermott was elected as the State Member for Prospect in 2015 and has continued to serve the community as its representative since that time.
Hugh holds a PhD in Laws from King’s College London, The University of London, and postgraduate Law degrees from the University of Technology, Sydney and The University of Sydney. He also holds a BA in Political Science and Economic History from The University of New England.
Prior to his election to Parliament, Hugh practised as a Barrister-at-Law and as the Director of Financial Crime Programs at the Australian Graduate School of Policing & Security, Charles Sturt University.
Outside of work, Hugh is dedicated to his community having served seven years in the Australian Army Reserve and is presently a volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
Joining the RFS in 2012, Hugh volunteers with the Horsley Park RFS Brigade where the team has been a part of campaigns to protect the community all year-round including firefighting, hazard reduction and emergency incident management.
Throughout the Black Summer of 2019-2020, Hugh and his brigade were directly involved in heavy firefighting across the state as well as defending Greater Sydney from the blaze on Prospect Hill as it began moving north towards Pemulwuy, which directly threatened homes in the local community.
Hugh is a passionate believer in the Labor movement, social justice and for standing up for the community. Families in New South Wales deserve to have an equal opportunity to education, jobs, healthcare and infrastructure.
A Catholic, Hugh is an active member of the community at St Anthony’s Toongabbie and Our Lady Queen of Peace, Greystanes and is a firm believer in everyone’s right to freedom of thought and religion, free from persecution for their beliefs. Hugh celebrates people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds in Prospect and Western Sydney. He believes mutual respect and empathy is key to what makes our community unified.
Hugh and his wife Bettina, have a young family with two daughters and reside within the electorate.
"I’m incredibly proud to represent the diverse and multicultural community of Prospect in Western Sydney. This community is special to the people of NSW as it represents a diverse range of backgrounds all coming together in our amazing state and country.
When I was elected as the local member, I vowed I would stand up for issues that were important to the community, and it is my honour to continue to do so today."
Hugh McDermott MP, 2021