Who is Ray Stevens?

Ray Stevens is currently the Member for Mermaid Beach in the Queensland State Parliament.

Ray was elected to the Queensland State Parliament in September 2006 for the seat of Robina, which was renamed to Mermaid Beach prior to the 2009 election. Ray has held a number of Parliamentary roles which currently include:

Member - Committee of the Legislative Assembly
Deputy Chair - Economics and Governance Committee
Member - Ethics Committee

His past Parliamentary responsibilities include:

Member - Finance and Administration Committee: 10 May 2016 - 24 Nov 2017
Member - Committee of the Legislative Assembly: 27 Mar 2015 - 10 May 2016
Leader of Opposition Business in the House: 31 Jan 2015 - 9 May 2016
Assistant Minister to the Premier on e-government: 11 Oct 2012 - 2015
Leader of the House: 17 May 2012 - 31 Jan 2015
Member - Finance and Administration Committee: 16 Jun 2011 - 19 Feb 2012
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Racing: 11 Apr 2011 - 19 Feb 2012
Shadow Minister for Tourism and Racing: 29 Nov 2010 - 11 Apr 2011
Member, Law, Justice and Safety Committee: 9 Feb 2010 - 16 Jun 2011
Shadow Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading: 6 Apr 2009 - 29 Nov 2010
Member, Estimates Committee A: 2008 - 2008
Shadow Minister for Housing Accessibility and Shadow Minister for Public Works: 12 Aug 2008 - 5 Apr 2009
Member, Estimates Committee A: 2007 - 2007
Shadow Minister for Information and Communication Technology: 17 Sep 2007 - 12 Aug 2008
Shadow Minister for Housing Affordability and Public Works: 16 Apr 2007 - 12 Aug 2008
Member, Scrutiny of Legislation Committee: 11 Oct 2006 - 20 Mar 2009
Shadow Minister for Public Works and Housing: 21 Sep 2006 - 17 Sep 2007

Personal:

Ray was born in Townsville in 1953 and remained there while he studied initially at James Cook University before moving to Sydney and completing his studies at Macquarie University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Economics. Ray was admitted to the Australian Association of Accountants in 1974, and worked for Price Waterhouse in Sydney until returning to the family cattle and sheep station “Doncaster” in Richmond, North Queensland.

Ray moved to the Gold Coast in 1979 establishing local businesses around Pacific Fair, Surfers Paradise and Nerang before moving to make a community contribution to the area he had made his home.

Ray is a member of various local sporting and community organisations.

Interests – Rugby, tennis, clay target shooting, horse racing and breeding, theatre and music.

Local Council Activity:

1988 – Elected to represent his Local Division of the Albert Shire Council on the Gold Coast. Re-elected to represent again in 1991.

1991 – 1994 Chairman of the Works committee, Albert Shire Council.

1994 – Elected as Mayor of the Albert Shire Council. In 1994 the government amalgamated the Albert Shire and Gold Coast City Councils. Ray was voted as the first Mayor of the combined Gold Coast in 1995 until 1997.

Previously Ray has been a Councillor (1988 – 1994) and then Mayor of Albert Shire (1994 – 1995). In 1994 when the Government amalgamated the Albert Shire and Gold Coast City Councils, Ray was voted in as the first Mayor of the combined Gold Coast (1995 – 1997). After leaving office in 1997, he later served as the Chief of Staff to the Mayor of the City.