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Portrait of Hugh McDermott

Hugh McDermott

Australian Labor Party · New South Wales · New South Wales Legislative Assembly · Prospect (NSW) · incumbent

Paul Joseph Hugh McDermott was born on 15 June 1968 in Sydney but grew up in Central and Southern Queensland, attending several primary schools before graduating from Miami State High School. After school he worked blue-collar jobs including as a jackeroo, barman and office clerk, then moved to Armidale at 19 to study a BA in Politics and Economic History at the University of New England. While working for the Australian Workers Union he studied law at night at the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney, completing a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Master of Labour Law and Relations; he later worked as an international lawyer and university academic before entering Parliament. [source]

Sourced positions

A verified position is the member's own stated view or vote, supported by the listed sources. This page records public statements and conduct only — see methodology.

Faith & religion verified

Hugh McDermott holds a strong belief in Catholic social teaching, once considered joining the priesthood, and spoke of his admiration for Jesuits in his inaugural speech.

Abortion & reproductive policy verified

As a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly, voted against the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019 (which became the Abortion Law Reform Act 2019, decriminalising abortion in NSW) at both the second reading (8 Aug 2019) and the third reading (final passage, 8 Aug 2019), on a conscience vote.

Record last updated 2026-08-13.