Mike Newman

Michael "Mike" Newman (born c. 1972) is an Australian politician, investment banker and former trade commissioner who has served as the leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation in New South Wales since 28 August 2026. He is the party's candidate for the seat of Cessnock at the 2027 New South Wales state election.

Newman spent approximately 25 years living and working in Japan and is fluent in Japanese. He is the son of businessman and former Australian Broadcasting Corporation chairman Maurice Newman.

Early life and education Newman was born in St Leonards, Sydney. He is the son of Maurice Newman AC, a prominent Australian businessman who served as chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2007–2012), chairman of the Australian Stock Exchange, and chancellor of Macquarie University.

He holds undergraduate degrees in economics and Japanese studies, and a Master of Management (with distinction average) from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.

Career Newman spent about 25 years based in Japan. His career in financial services focused on Japanese equities, aerospace, defence, automotive and industrial sectors.

Financial services

Sales executive at Nikko Securities (late 1990s) Aerospace, defence, industrials and automotive analyst at ABN AMRO (1999–2003), working between London and Tokyo Head of Institutional Japanese Equity Sales at HSBC Securities Japan (2004–2006) Division Director and Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities Japan (2007–2015)

In 2015 he founded the advisory firm Ginga Vale Investments, working between Sydney, Tokyo and Seoul. He has also held the role of Managing Director, Japan & South Korea at Barker Henley Global.

Trade and investment commissioner From July 2021 to February 2024, Newman served as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for North Asia (Japan and Korea) with Investment NSW, based in Tokyo. The role was created to promote New South Wales as a business and investment destination in two of Australia's markets.

Since 2024 he has been chief representative for North Asia at HunterNet Co-op, a networking organisation for businesses in the Newcastle and Hunter region.

Political career On 28 August 2026, One Nation federal leader Pauline Hanson announced Newman as the party’s New South Wales leader and candidate for the Labor-held seat of Cessnock in the Hunter Valley for the March 2027 state election. He was unveiled at a media conference in Singleton alongside federal MP Barnaby Joyce and upper-house candidate Stuart Bonds.

Newman has positioned the NSW campaign around cost-of-living pressures, housing, energy policy, payroll tax reform, and reducing public-sector bureaucracy. Key stated positions include:

Abolishing payroll tax for regional businesses and halving it in metropolitan areas Retaining coal-fired power generation (including keeping Eraring Power Station open) Lifting bans on uranium mining and nuclear power Willingness to host a nuclear power station and waste facility in the Hunter after community consultation Criticising what he describes as excessive “woke” and DEI policies in the public sector and NSW Police Supporting restrictions on late-term and sex-selective abortions (clarifying after earlier comments that One Nation does not support an outright ban on abortion)

He has lived in the Hunter region and stated that he is "in the region" rather than committing to reside inside the Cessnock electorate boundaries if elected.

Personal life Newman is married to a Japanese woman. He is fluent in Japanese and has answered media questions in the language.

Mike Newman

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