Michael is the Member for Maroubra in the NSW Parliament. 

He calls Chifley home with his wife Christina and four children Alison, Jake, Olivia and Austin who are all being educated locally.

Michael has lived in the Electorate of Maroubra his whole life, growing up in South Maroubra and attending St Mary, St Joseph Primary School and then Marcellin College in Randwick.

He began his working life early doing the rounds as the local paperboy.

Then for 13 years Michael was a customs officer inspecting incoming ships on Sydney Harbour and Port Botany. At night, Michael studied Law and went on to work in a private legal practice for 5 years before becoming a Senior Corporate Lawyer with NRMA Motoring & Services.

As someone who was passionate about creating a fairer and more prosperous society, Michael joined the Australian Labor Party to make a difference for those who were less well off and for 13 years he worked passionately to improve our community as a Councillor on Randwick City Council and as Deputy Mayor for four years.

In 2005, Michael was elected as the Member for Maroubra in the NSW Parliament on the retirement of Premier Bob Carr. 

In just 3 short years in the Parliament, Michael was elevated to become the Minister for Roads as part of the Iemma Government. As Minister, he lowered demerit points and implemented safer driving reforms for Learner and Provisional Drivers saving thousands of lives.

By 2009, Michael was sworn in as Minister for Police where he took on the criminal ‘Bikie’ gangs and implemented what were at the time the toughest laws in the country to crack down on organised crime.

As Minister for Finance, Michael delivered a fairer Workers Compensation Scheme balancing budget realities with the importance of protecting our injured workers.

Michael was the NSW Shadow Treasurer, before becoming Labor Leader through the 2019 State Election. 

Locally,  Michael is an active community member and his past and present commitments include - Former President of the Randwick Rugby Club; President of the Marcellin College Randwick Ex Students’ Association (since 1998); and Former Director of Randwick Rugby Foundation Limited (a not-for-profit charitable trust).

Michael is also Patron of both Maroubra and South Maroubra Surf Clubs Maroubra Bowling Club, Malabar RSL Club, The Coast Golf Club; Randwick Golf Club, Yarra Bay Sailing Club and Friends of La Perouse Museum.