Proudest of supporting Israel
Secord said he hasn't decided what he will do after politics, but vowed to "remain active in the Sydney Jewish community".
From modest beginnings as the first member of his family to complete school and go to university, Walt Secord said he will be ending his almost 12-year political career as a NSW Labor MP and former shadow minister on March 25 feeling “thankful”, and “most proud” of his active support of Israel, and the state’s Jewish community.
Secord was raised in a First Nations (Indian) reserve in Ontario, Canada, and credits his childhood mentor – the late Holocaust survivor Godel Silber – for instilling the transformative power of education.
Migrating to Sydney in 1988, Secord worked as an award-winning journalist at The AJN, before holding senior positions in parliamentary affairs for two decades, including a stint as chief of staff for then NSW premier Kristina Keneally.
Elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly on May 24, 2011, Secord served in more than a dozen roles in the shadow ministry, including four years as deputy opposition leader in the Legislative Assembly, and shadow treasurer.
He was also deputy chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel for more than 11 years, and was NSW patron of the Labor Israel Action Committee.
Converting to Judaism in 2021, Secord is married to Moscow-born author Julia Levitina, and they’re Emanuel Synagogue members.
Reflecting on his achievements in politics, Secord told The AJN he feels most proud of, “my activity in support of Israel, and my role in banning the Nazi swastika in NSW – which was originally strongly opposed by many, and is now set to become law in almost all states and territories”.
“I’m also pleased to have been associated with the Shalom Gamarada Indigenous Residential Scholarship Program, which supports First Nations students to pursue university study.
“Co-founded in 2005 by Ilona Lee and Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver, it has produced 64 graduates, including 27 Indigenous doctors.
“I’m also pleased to have developed friendships on the other side of politics, when it came to defending and supporting Israel, and the Jewish community.”
Secord said he hasn’t decided what he will do after politics, but vowed to “remain active in the Sydney Jewish community”.
“I always thank God for my opportunities, as I grew up on an Indian reserve in southern Canada, and got to work at the most senior levels of Australian politics, and was able to serve the community – that’s extraordinary.”
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