Fred Nile
Frederick John Nile (born 15 September 1934) is an Australian former politician and ordained Christian minister. Nile was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1981-2023, except for a period in 2004. Nile was re-elected at the 1991, 1999, 2007, and 2015 state elections and served as the Assistant President of the Legislative Council between 2007 and 2019. Nile lost his seat at the 2023 New South Wales state election, after four decades of being in parliament.
The Reverend Fred Nile | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Christian Democratic Party | |
| In office 7 April 1998 – 29 March 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Party established |
| Succeeded by | Party dissolved |
| Leader of the Call to Australia Party | |
| In office 22 June 1977 – 7 April 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Party established |
| Succeeded by | Party abolished |
| Assistant President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales | |
| In office 28 November 2007 – 25 February 2019 | |
| President | Peter Primrose Amanda Fazio Don Harwin John Ajaka |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Shaoquett Moselmane |
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council | |
| In office 21 October 2004 – 25 March 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| In office 19 September 1981 – 30 August 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Roger de Bryon-Faes |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Frederick John Nile 15 September 1934 Kings Cross, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Revive Australia (2022-present) |
| Other political affiliations | Call to Australia (1977–1998) Christian Democratic (1988–2022) Christ in Government (2021) Seniors United (2022) Independent (2022) |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 (3 sons; 1 daughter) |
| Education | Cleveland Street High School |
| Alma mater | University of New England University of Divinity |
| Occupation |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch/service | Australian Army (1952–1954) Australian Army Reserve (1954–1972) |
| Years of service | 1952–1972 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 4th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment |
Nile was National President of the Christian Democratic Party, a conservative party which focused primarily on what it regarded as important moral and social issues. Nile is noted for his controversial comments. He is mainly known for his vocal opposition to drug use, abortion, pornography and homosexuality. He is patron of the Australian Christian Nation Association and Vice President of the Australian Christian Endeavour Union, an evangelical youth movement. Until his recent electoral defeat, Nile was the longest-serving member of the New South Wales Parliament.