Stephen Kamper Sworn into NSW Parliament Today

Stephen Kamper, former accountant and shadow small business minister, has been appointed to lead New South Wales' small business policies by newly elected Premier Chris Minns. In addition to his responsibilities for small business, Kamper will also oversee lands and property, multiculturalism, and sport.

The new Labor cabinet, sworn into NSW Parliament today, separates small business and fair trading responsibilities, which were previously combined under the Liberal government. Kamper will be responsible for delivering Labor's small business policy, which includes increasing procurement from small businesses, simplifying outdoor dining applications, and providing energy bill relief to eligible small businesses.

In a statement issued to the media Premier Minns expressed how proud he is of his new cabinet.

“We have a lot of hard work in front of us, and a big responsibility, but my team and I are up to the challenge,” he said. “We have a clear mandate from the people of NSW to rebuild our essential services, to invest in the people who look after us — our nurses, teachers, paramedics, firefighters and police officers.

“Our priority is to help families and households deal with the increasing cost of living, the energy crisis and to fix our schools and hospitals.”

The newly elected NSW government's cabinet, led by Premier Chris Minns, includes two ministers of Greek background – Steve Kamper and Sophie Cotsis.  Additionally, Courtney Houssos, who is married to a Greek, will take on Finance and Natural Resources in the Legislative Council.

In addition, the cabinet will have a historic gender balance with 50% women (excluding the Premier) for the first time in history. The cabinet includes the first female ministers for finance, police, energy, natural resources, and regional transport. This is a significant change from the previous Liberal government's cabinet, which had only seven women as ministers.

Stephen Kamper MP – Proudly Greek Australian

A proud Greek Australian, Steve Kamper is married to Magda and together they have five children and four grandsons.

Prior to entering politics, Kamper worked for 30 years as a senior partner at the local accounting business Kamper Chartered Accountants. He was responsible in creating a work cover top-up programme for ill workers and an industry-based income protection programme. He is also the former president of the Sydney Olympic Soccer Club.

In the lead up to the March election, Stephen Kamper was the front-runner for the small business portfolio and he brings a wealth of business expertise to the position.

Kamper will play a key role in carrying out Labor's comprehensive small business policy, which the party promises would improve ties between the government and small company. This policy places a strong emphasis on increasing small business procurement, streamlining the application process for outdoor dining, and providing eligible small businesses with energy bill assistance.

Attending this afternoon's swearing in ceremony was Kamper's brother, Bill Kamper.

Second generation Greeks, the Kamper's grandfather came to Australia in 1923 and their dad was born in the frontier mining town Broken Hill in the far west of New South Wales. Their mum immigrated to Australia in the early 60's and thanks to her both of her sons are fluent in Greek and attended Greek school each week growing up.

"He really wanted to help people. It's the Greek nature to want to make people happy..."

Brothers Steve and Bill worked together from the age of 18 years at the family's accountancy practice established by their father prior to Steve deciding to leave and go into politics.

"He wanted to make a difference," Bill explains to Greek City Times. "He really wanted to help people. It's the Greek nature to want to make people happy - that's why so many Greeks around the world are in customer service."

When asked how proud of his younger brother he is after today's ceremony, Bill gives an emotional response: "Very. Very. Very."

"He loves helping people. He's honest. He's kind. He'd give the shirt off his back."

"He loves helping people. He's honest. He's kind. He'd give the shirt off his back."

“Thank you all so much for your kind wishes and congratulations – and for your trust. We’ll do our very best for Rockdale and NSW,” said family man minister Kamper in a heartfelt post shared on social media following Labor’s state election win last month.

“A final photo from Saturday with three of my grandsons – because they always remind me of what really matters!”

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