John Fahey receives UWS honorary doctorate for his distinguished service to Australian public life

Former New South Wales Premier and current President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, John Fahey, will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Western Sydney in recognition of his contribution to Australian politics and sport.

Mr Fahey will receive a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, at a graduation ceremony being held at the UWS Parramatta campus at 5pm, Wednesday 19 December.

The University awards this prestigious honour to those who UWS feels have made a lasting and powerful difference to the wider community.

In a public life of almost 30 years, John Fahey has exhibited exemplary leadership, commitment, and integrity in government, sport, community service and business.

A former Liberal member for Camden and minister in the Greiner Government, the Honourable John Fahey AC was appointed Premier of New South Wales in 1992 and served as Premier until 1995.

Mr Fahey was instrumental in securing the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, chairing the committee responsible for the preparation, submission and presentation of the ultimately winning bid.

The video footage of Mr Fahey enthusiastically jumping up and down and hugging his colleagues as Sydney was named the winner became emblematic of the widespread joy in the city following the announcement.

Following his successful career in state politics, Mr Fahey was elected to Federal Parliament as the Liberal member for Macarthur in 1996 and was immediately elevated to cabinet as the Minster for Finance and Administration, a position he held until 2001.

In 2002 John Fahey was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for service to the Australian and New South Wales Parliaments, particularly through landmark reform of industrial relations, facilitation of high technology and industry growth, and for raising the international profile of Australia as Chairman of the Bid for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

In 2011 he was appointed chair of the Australian Government Reconstruction Inspectorate, which oversees spending in major reconstruction contracts associated with natural disasters.

Mr Fahey chairs the Australian Rugby League Development Board and the Bradman Foundation, and since 2007 he has been the chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency.