Mick Gentleman

Gentleman was born and educated, and has always lived in Canberra, ACT.

Prior to becoming a politician, he worked in the offices of Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating as their security officer. He has also been a motor mechanic, post officer, public servant, real estate agent, small business owner and union organiser.^{[citation needed]}

Gentleman has been involved in motorsports for more than 42 years and was a four-time ACT Rally champion co-driver. He competed in rally at state level, Australia Championship level and in the World Rally Championships.^[5]

Gentleman has served as the Acting Speaker of the Assembly, and chair of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment. He provided more than 30 reports to the Parliament affecting the business, environmental and residential planning of the capital. Gentleman tabled and passed the gross feed-in-tariff for Canberra,^[6] bringing the ACT to the forefront in renewable energy incentives.

Gentleman has strongly supported first-responders as Minister for Police and Emergency Services, securing more police officers,^[7] paramedics^[8] and urban firefighters^[9] for the ACT.

As Minister for the Environment, Gentleman led reforms to outlaw destructive yabby traps^[10] and oversaw the recovery plan for Namadgi National Park,^[11] which was significantly damaged by bushfires in early 2020.^[12] Gentleman has been a public advocate for protecting Namadgi National Park from potential damage caused by feral horses.^[13][14]

In the final arrangement of the Third Barr ministry, Gentleman was the Manager of Government Business, as well as the Minister for Business, for Fire and Emergency Services, for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, for Multicultural Affairs, and for Police and Crime Prevention.^[15]

Over his career, Gentleman has also held the ministerial portfolios for Planning, for Community Services, for Children and Young People, for Ageing, for Roads and Parking, for Planning and Land Management, for Racing and Gaming, for Environment and Heritage, for Urban Renewal, for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, and for Corrections.