Member for Werriwa
Laurie grew up in Guildford before moving to Granville in 1981.
As a former research officer for the Liquor Hospitality Miscellaneous Workers Union, he represented many local workers in negotiations.
Laurie was educated at St Patrick’s, Guildford and St Patrick’s, Strathfield. He received a Master of Arts (History) and Bachelor of Economics from Sydney University. He married Maureen Walsh in 1983. Laurie Ferguson was elected to Federal Parliament in 1990 as the Member for Reid. This followed his election to the NSW Parliament for the State Seat of Granville, from 1984 to 1990. He joined the ALP in 1967 and held positions at branch, electorate council level and the NSW Administrative Committee.
Within the Federal Parliament Laurie has been particularly interested in Foreign Affairs, Immigration, multicultural issues, housing and urban sustainability, the environment, overseas aid, and industry development. He has held a variety of Shadow Ministerial roles since 1996. These have included Immigration, Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Multicultural Affairs, Urban Development and Consumer Affairs.