Career
He represents the district of Saint John"s South in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. Opposition
In September 2012, Osborne resigned from the Progressive Conservative party citing the leadership of Premier Kathy Dunderdale and began sitting as an Independent. On August 29, 2013, Osborne joined the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In government
With the victory of the Progressive Conservatives in the 2003 election Premier Danny Williams appointed Osborne to Cabinet as the Minister responsible for Environment and Labour.
On February 20, 2004 Government announced a restructuring of departments, which saw the creation of the new Department of Environment and Conservation, which Osborne remained minister of. On March 14, 2006, Osborne became Minister of Health and Community Services succeeding John Ottenheimer.
During his time as Minister of Health more information on errors in hormone receptor breast cancer testing were coming to light. The errors eventually led to the Commission of Inquiry on Hormone Receptor Testing.
In January 2007, with the announcement that several cabinet Ministers would not be seeking re-election in that October"s general election Williams shuffled his Cabinet.
Osborne was assigned the Justice portfolio taking over for Paul Shelley who was retiring from politics in October. With the re-election of the Progressive Conservatives in 2007, Osborne was replaced as Justice Minister by Jerome Kennedy. Williams announced he would be nominating Osborne to serve as Deputy Chair of Committees in the House of Assembly and On November 1, 2007, he was confirmed to serve as Deputy Chair of Committees in the House of Assembly.
In 2008, Osborne testified at the Commission of Inquiry on Hormone Receptor Testing and was asked about his time as Minister of Health.
Dennis O"Keefe who ran as the Liberal candidate is not the same Dennis O"Keefe that is currently Mayor of Saint John"son
