David Gillespie (Australian politician)

Last updated

Gillespie came under scrutiny after the High Court ruling in the Bob Day case. In April 2017, the High Court found that, under section 44(v) of the Australian Constitution, Senator Bob Day had not been eligible to hold public office because of an indirect pecuniary relationship with the Australian government. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) opposition and some community groups believed that Gillespie also had an indirect financial relationship with the federal government, in that he owned a suburban shopping complex in Port Macquarie which leased a premises to an Australia Post licensee. [13] In July 2017, the ALP launched a High Court challenge to Gillespie's eligibility as an MP. The case was formally brought by Peter Alley, the ALP candidate for Gillespie's seat of Lyne at the 2016 federal election. [13] Gillespie sold his interest in the shopping complex in early 2018, which would ensure his eligibility in a by-election if the court ruled that he was ineligible at the time of the 2016 election. [14] On 21 March 2018, the seven members of the High Court determined unanimously that it did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case, unless the matter was referred to it by parliament. [15]

Personal life

Gillespie is married to Charlotte and they have three children. The family lives at Sancrox, west of Port Macquarie. [9] He is a Roman Catholic. [16]

References

  1. Green, Antony (15 September 2013). "Lyne Results: Federal Election 2013". ABC News . Australia. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  2. "David Gillespie Candidate for Lyne". National Party of Australia. 2013. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  3. Anderson, Stephanie (20 July 2016). "Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull unveils ministry with Christopher Pyne, Greg Hunt on the move". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  4. "New federal ministers officially sworn in". Sky News. Australia. AAP. 24 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  5. Turnbull, Malcolm (20 December 2017). "Ministerial Arrangements" (Press release). Government of Australia. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018. In the new role of Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Dr David Gillespie will work with the Minister for Social Services, Dan Tehan, to ensure children get the best start in life and families get all the support they need.
  6. "PM's Department tries to hide frontbencher's bid for extra perks". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  7. "Dr David Gillespie confirms he will stand for leadership of the National Party if Barnaby Joyce resigns". Manning River Times. 23 February 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  8. Kelly, Joe (26 February 2018). "Michael McCormack to lead Nationals" . The Australian . Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  9. 1 2 Fitzpatrick, Letitia (27 August 2018). "Lyne MP David Gillespie disappointed at losing ministry job". Port Macquarie News. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  10. Mascarenhas, Carla (4 February 2020). "Lyne MP David Gillespie falls short of becoming deputy leader of the National Party". Port Macquarie News. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  11. Dennett, Harley (28 June 2021). "David Gillespie promoted in Barnaby Joyce's Nationals federal cabinet reshuffle". Port Macquarie News. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  12. "David Gillespie". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia . Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  13. 1 2 Gartrell, Adam (7 July 2017). "Labor launches High Court action against Turnbull MP in bid to topple government". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  14. Gartrell, Adam (18 February 2018). "David Gillespie offloads post office amid constitutional challenge". Port Macquarie News. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  15. Byrne, Elizabeth (21 March 2018). "High Court cannot hear challenge to David Gillespie's eligibility to sit in Parliament". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  16. Townsend, Samantha (7 September 2013). "Nationals candidate David Gillespie tipped to take Lyne". The Sunday Telegraph . Archived from the original on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
David Gillespie
David Gillespie.jpg
Official portrait, 2019
Minister for Regional Health
In office
2 July 2021 23 May 2022
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Lyne
2013–2025
Succeeded by
Political offices
New ministerial post Assistant Minister for Children and Families
2017–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Himself
as Assistant Minister for Rural Health
Assistant Minister for Health
2017
Succeeded byas Minister for Rural Health
Preceded byas Minister for Rural Health Assistant Minister for Rural Health
2016–2017
Succeeded by
Himself
as Assistant Minister for Health