Alan Ashton

Who is Alan Ashton?

Alan John Ashton is an Australian former politician, previously a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

Ashton received a Master of Arts and Diploma of Education from the University of Sydney and taught at schools in southwestern Sydney. He was a councillor on the City of Bankstown from 1977 to 1987 and 1987 to 1995. Ashton has represented East Hills from 1999, for the Australian Labor Party, and is Deputy Government Whip from 2003

Alan Ashton has emerged as a prominent opponent of the former Iemma Government's plans to privatise the NSW electricity industry. He has been quoted as stating that privatisation would be "the Iemma Government's WorkChoices". He also warned of resulting swings to the Australian Greens in inner-city seats. Ashton is a long resident of the East Hills electorate. He is married with two children. His interests include politics, sport, history, education and the Health system. He is a member of the History Teachers Association and the NSW Teachers Federation.

Ashton was defeated by the Liberal's Glenn Brookes by a mere 494 votes at the 2011 New South Wales State election. This means that East Hills is now the most marginal seat in Government. This was also the first time Labor had lost the seat since its creation in 1953.