Kerry Chikarovski is a former NSW Opposition leader, the first woman to lead a major political party in NSW. She has extensive experience in government and politics, holding several ministerial portfolios. Since leaving politics, she has worked as a consultant, commentator, and board director on issues related to government, women in leadership, and community organizations. She remains actively involved in politics, sports, and advocacy through her speaking, writing, and board work.

1. KERRY CHIKAROVSKI
BUZZWORDS
Government, Lobbyist, Politics, Commentator, Women in Leadership, Ambassador,
Keynote speaker, Master of Ceremonies, Lecturer, Panelist, Board Director, Radio host
AVAILABILITY
Travels from Sydney, Australia
Speaker and Panelist Topics include:
Working with Government and Bureaucracy, Working in public life, Motivational,
Inspirational, Leadership, Women on Boards, Women in Sport, Master of Ceremonies,
Q&A facilitator
Board/Advisory appointments:
Chair
Road Safety Education (RSE)
NSW Women’s Rugby Union
Board Director:
Humpty Dumpty Foundation
NSW Rugby Union
National Adoption Awareness Week
University of Sydney Union Foundation
Not for Profit Ambassador:
YWCA NSW
Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF)
Eggtober Foundation
KERRY CHIKAROVSKI BIOGRAPHY
One of the country’s most respected and admired former female politicians, Kerry 'Chika'
Chikarovski, is a former NSW Opposition leader and the first woman to lead a major
political party in the state of New South Wales (1999-2002).
Encouraged by a brief but memorable meeting with a dashing young Robert Kennedy,
Chika knew from an early age that she wanted to be a politician and in 1991 she won pre-
selection against the odds for the safe seat of Lane Cove on Sydney’s north shore – one
that had been earmarked for a male colleague.
After thirteen months in Parliament she was appointed Minister for Consumer Affairs.
During her time as Minister, Kerry facilitated national agreement to the Introduction of a
Uniform Credit Code.
In Government, she held the further portfolios of Assistant Minister of Education, Minister
for Industrial Relations, and the first Minister for the Status of Women appointed in NSW.
With her dual responsibilities of Industrial Relations and Women, Kerry oversaw the
development and introduction of flexible working conditions for the public sector and the
implementation of mentoring programs to encourage women to seek careers at the highest
level of the NSW public service.

2. In December of 1994, Kerry Chikarovski was elected Deputy Leader of the NSW
Parliamentary Liberal Party. In Opposition, Kerry held the portfolio responsibilities of
Corrective Services and the Environment.
On 7 December 1998, Chika was elected Leader of the NSW Parliamentary Liberal Party,
the first woman to lead a major political party in New South Wales. She was also the
Shadow Minister for the Arts, Ethnic Affairs and Women.
In 2003 she retired from politics and the following year launched her co-authored
autobiography, Chika.
Ms Chikarovski¹s government relations business, Chikarovski & Associates, which she
started in 2003, continues to achieve excellent results for her clients. With her strong
political background and vast experience in dealing with government and bureaucracy, she
and her team advise across a range of industry sectors on policy and regulatory issues, as
well as in relation to major projects and procurements.
Today Kerry is a highly sought after political and media commentator, keynote speaker,
Master of Ceremonies, Board Director and Ambassador.
Her current television and radio commitments include; ABC The Drum, Sky News PM and
Lunch Agenda, Paul Murray LIVE, The Nation, ABCNews24, Q&A, Kochie’s Angels,
Studio10 and Radio ABC 702. Her weekly radio program, Chat with Chika, is broadcast
nationally via Eagle Waves Radio.
Kerry is the Chair of NSW Women’s rugby union and Road Safety Education (RSE). She
sits on the board of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, National Adoption Awareness Week
and New South Wales rugby union. Kerry is a proud ambassador for YWCANSW, the
Eggtober Foundation and the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF).
She is a doting mother and grandmother to 'JJ', and recently became a grandmother for the
second time to baby Claire Chikarovski.
For media opportunities, panel positions, speaking enquiries and event invitations,
please contact:
Samantha Dybac – Sammway
Email: sjdybac@sammway.com.au
Phone: +61 411 251 373
Websites and Social Media Links:
http://www.kerrychikarovski.com.au
au.linkedin.com/in/kerrychikarovski/
https://twitter.com/kerrychika
http://www.eaglewavesradio.com.au/shows/chat-with-chika/