Michael Richardson was first elected to represent the seat of The Hills in the NSW Parliament in a by-election in August 1993. He was re-elected in 1995, 1999 and 2003. In March 2007 he was elected Member for the new seat of Castle Hill.

He and his wife, Cherry, live in West Pennant Hills. They have two children: Andrew, an environmental scientist, and Jane, a book editor. Andrew and his wife, Hopi, are currently living in London.

Michael was educated at North Sydney Boys’ High School and the University of Sydney. Before entering Parliament he worked for 23 years as a journalist and in book and magazine publishing. He is the author of a number of books, including Your Own Resources (also published as The Australian Guide to Self-Sufficiency) and Australia’s Natural Wonders.

He is a patron of numerous local sporting and community groups and an honorary member of Rotary and of Lions.

In the NSW Parliament, Michael has served as a member of the Public Bodies Review Committee and Committees oversighting the work of the Ombudsman and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Between 1996 and 2000 Michael was Chairman of the Opposition’s Education and Environment Committees. From 2000-2002 he was Chairman of the Opposition Wastewatch Committee, which identifies and publicises Government waste and mismanagement.

From March 2002 to April 2003 Michael was Shadow Minister for Corrective Services and Rehabilitation and Shadow Minister for Housing. He was Shadow Minister for the Environment from April 2003 to April 2007.

Michael’s hobbies and interests include photography, bushwalking, body surfing, fishing and motorcycling.