Jai Rowell

Jai Travers Rowell (born ca. 1977), an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Wollondilly for the Liberal Party since 2011. In April 2014 Rowell was appointed as Minister for Mental Health and Assistant Minister for Health during the Cabinet reshuffle under Premier Mike Baird.

Early career and background

After completing a law degree at the University of Western Sydney and after working in the private sector he held various parliamentary positions including being an electorate officer and later an advisor in the Howard Government. Rowell has worked in both the state and federal parliaments. In 2004, he was elected as a Councillor and served eight and a half years including serving terms on the Local Government Association of NSW.

Rowell grew up in South West Sydney including the Macarthur and Southern Highlands areas. He is the father of two boys and is married to Belinda.

Political career

On 29 October 2009, Rowell was preselected by the Liberal Party as their candidate in Wollondilly for the 2011 state election. During his campaign for election, Angry Anderson actively supported Rowell; who was elected with a swing of 18.6 points and won the seat with 64.7 per cent of the two-party vote. His main opponent was the incumbent sitting member and Minister for Water, Phil Costa, representing Labor.

Rowell was appointed as deputy government whip on 13 August 2013. Mr Rowell was further promoted to government whip on 25 February 2014.

Due to the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as Premier, and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle by Mike Baird, the new Liberal Leader, Rowell was appointed as Minister for Mental Health and Assistant Minister for Health and appointed as a member of Cabinet.