Chris Baker (politician)

Chris Baker
Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
for Joondalup
In office
14 December 1996 – 10 February 2001
Preceded byNew seat
Succeeded byTony O'Gorman
Personal details
Born(1958-07-09)9 July 1958
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Died4 August 2023(2023-08-04) (aged 65)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Political partyLiberal Party
SpouseSarah Jane Rogers
Children1 son and 1 daughter
Alma materUniversity of Queensland
Queensland University of Technology

Christopher John Baker (9 July 1958 – 4 August 2023) was an Australian solicitor and politician who was a member of the Liberal Party, a Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly (1996–2001), and City of Joondalup councillor (2001–2004).[1] He was a City of Wanneroo Councillor until his death in 2023.[2]

Baker was born in Brisbane and moved to Western Australia in 1989. Prior to entering parliament as the member for the newly created seat of Joondalup, he was a barrister, solicitor and proprietor of a law firm. Baker also served as a Councillor in the Town of Port Hedland from 1994–1996.[1]

In parliament, he was involved in a number of committees, including the Public Accounts Committee. He lost the seat at the February 2001 state election to his Labor rival, Tony O'Gorman.[1]

On 5 May 2001, Baker was elected as councillor for the Marina ward of Joondalup with an overwhelming majority of votes.[3] He was one of a group of councillors who supported the controversial CEO, Denis Smith, and was criticised by the inquiry into the City of Joondalup.[4]

Baker's career as a solicitor has involved practicing law in Darwin, Katherine and Esperance in the late 1980s, and later as proprietor of law firm Chris Baker and Associates. Baker is a Notary Public from the Supreme Court of WA.[1]

On 19 October 2019, Baker was elected as a Councillor at the City of Wanneroo for the North Coast Ward, defeating incumbent Russell Driver by 5.82%, or 1,131 votes, and secured 3.25% more votes than incumbent Natalie Sangalli, who was re-elected to the second vacant position.[5]

  1. ^ a b c d "Mr Christopher (Chris) John Baker". Parliament of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  2. ^ "North ward councillor Chris Baker has died". Yanchep News Online. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Joondalup Results". www.waec.wa.gov.au. Archived from the original on 18 July 2005. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  4. ^ McIntyre, Greg. "Conclusions: Inquiry into the City of Joondalup" (PDF). Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Local Government Elections | Western Australian Electoral Commission".