The Hon Kevin Anderson MP

After 17 years working as a journalist, news anchor and communications professional in the region, Kevin Anderson was chosen by more than 4,500 members of the general public in Australia’s first and most successful community preselection to contest the 2011 State Election as The Nationals candidate.

Ever since winning Tamworth back for The Nationals from an incumbent independent, Kevin has been an extremely hard working and dedicated local member with excellent results that speak for themselves.

When first elected to State Parliament Kevin quickly set to work on delivering a number of commitments made by previous governments but had never materialised. During his first term, Kevin also obtained state funding for a series of projects including the Split Rock-Barraba pipeline, the Chaffey Dam upgrade, Gunnedah rail overpass and the long-overdue Tamworth Base Hospital redevelopment. He also worked tirelessly to see legislation introduced to legalise medicinal marijuana.

In his first term of Parliament, Kevin was the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Community Services and spent time as the Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics, Member of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Transport and Infrastructure and as a Member of the Committee on the Ombudsman, the Police Integrity Commission and the Crime Commission. He has also previously held the position of Chair of the Legislative Assembly Council on Investment, Industry and Regional Development.

Kevin has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier and for Regional Roads and Rail, and was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Transport in 2017.  In 2019, Kevin became Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation. In December 2021 Kevin was appointed Minister for Lands and Water and Minister for Hospitality and Racing.

Outside of politics, Kevin has taken on a large amount of volunteer work for local charities and community groups such as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the Salvation Army and the St Nicholas School Board. In 2008 he was part of the committee that built the Tamworth Ronald McDonald House in two and a half days.

Kevin lives in Tamworth with his wife Anna and children Will, Ella, and Sam. Kevin plays rhythm guitar and sings with his mates in their popular local band, Splashpool in his spare time.