Liesl Tesch is the Labor Member for Gosford in the New South Wales Parliament. In 2023, Liesl was honoured to be appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Community Services and Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion.

Liesl was first elected to Parliament in a by-election in 2017 and then re-elected at the 2019 and 2023 General Election.

She is also the President of the Parliamentary Friends of Paralympics and Olympics.

Before entering politics, Liesl was a Paralympic champion and competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, 1996 Atlanta Olympics, 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics winning two gold medals for Australia in sailing, two silver medals and a bronze medal for basketball. 

She attended the University of Newcastle where she received a Bachelor of Science and then later a Diploma in Education.

Liesl went on to teach at high schools for 20 years including her local public school Brisbane Water Secondary College, Woy Woy.

In 2014, Liesl was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, one of Australia’s highest honours, for her significant service to sport and promotion and facilitation of sport for people with disabilities.

She also has also received the Sir Arthur Roden Cutler Award, the President’s Award from Sailing Australia and has been inducted as a Member of the NSW and Australian Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2022, Liesl was also inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions in recognition of her career in parasports.

In 2022, Liesl was appointed the Regional Champion for Australia as a Commonwealth Parliamentarian with a Disability by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, continuing her work championing the rights of people with a disability at home and across the world.

Liesl is a passionate advocate for ensuring that all Australian’s receive a world-class education, safeguarding the protection of our beautiful natural environment and providing equal access to Australia’s excellent Medicare healthcare system.

Sen. The Hon. Paul Richards was appointed an Independent Senator on Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at the start of the 11th Republican Parliament.

Senator The Hon. Richards has over 35 years’ experience in Radio and Television broadcasting, management, and production. His vision includes using media for empowerment of youth development and growth to include the integration of multimedia and education, for meaningful change, and the rebuilding of self-esteem, and core family values. Senator The Hon. Richards advocates for persons with disabilities, special needs and vulnerable groups. In November 2020, Senator The Hon. Richards became the CPA CPwD Regional Champion for the CPA’s CAA Region.

Sen. The Hon. Paul Richards was appointed an Independent Senator on Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at the start of the 11th Republican Parliament.

Senator The Hon. Richards has over 35 years’ experience in Radio and Television broadcasting, management, and production. His vision includes using media for empowerment of youth development and growth to include the integration of multimedia and education, for meaningful change, and the rebuilding of self-esteem, and core family values. Senator The Hon. Richards advocates for persons with disabilities, special needs and vulnerable groups. In November 2020, Senator The Hon. Richards became the CPA CPwD Regional Champion for the CPA’s CAA Region.