Tony Issa
Australian politician (1955–2025)
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Antoine Khalil Issa OAM (14 August 1955 – 30 March 2025) was an Australian politician who was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Granville for the Liberal Party from 2011 until the 2015 election when he lost the seat to Labor's Julia Finn.[1] Issa died in Auburn, New South Wales on 30 March 2025, at the age of 69.[2]
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Tony Issa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Granville | |
| In office 26 March 2011 – 6 March 2015 | |
| Preceded by | David Borger |
| Succeeded by | Julia Finn |
| Lord Mayor of Parramatta Council | |
| In office 29 September 2008 – September 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Barry Barber |
| Succeeded by | Paul Garrard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 August 1955 Barsa, Lebanon |
| Died | 30 March 2025 (aged 69) Auburn, New South Wales, Australia |
| Party | Liberal Party |
| Spouse | Sue Issa |
| Occupation | Self-employed |
Early years and background
Issa migrated to Australia with his father in 1973, as one of seven children[3] of Lebanese Maronite Catholic background. Issa has extensive community involvement including:
- President, Bkerkacha Charitable Association (1989)
- Treasurer, Granville Multicultural Centre (1984–1987)
- President, Granville Multicultural Centre (1987–1991)
- Board member, Australian Lebanese Welfare Group (2004–2008)
- School representative, Catholic Diocesan Parramatta Regional Council (c.1992)
- Member, Bicentenary Committee (1988)
- Member, Western Sydney Assistant Services Ranking Committee
- Board member, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC)
- Chairman, Sister City Organisation[when?]
- Representative, Finance Complaint Services Board[when?]
- Committee member, Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Sydney[when?]
Local government career
Elected to Parramatta City Council in 1988, Issa served as an independent councillor until 1998 and then as a Liberal party councillor from 1998 to 2012.[2]
Issa was elected as deputy mayor from 2000 to 2001 and became the first Liberal Party lord mayor in New South Wales, serving between 2008 and 2009.[3][1][4]
State political career
In 1994, Issa contested unsuccessfully as an independent in the Parramatta by-election.
In 2011, he contested the normally safe[4][5] Labor seat of Granville in the Sydney's western suburbs. Running against the incumbent and high-profile[6] sitting member and Minister, David Borger.
Issa was elected with a swing of 13.1 points and won the seat with 52.7 per cent of the two-party vote.[4][5]
Honours
Issa was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1995 for service to local government and to the Lebanese community.[7]
Issa was awarded the Order of Local Government for more than 20 years service as a councillor on Parramatta City Council.[citation needed]