Tony Smith (Queensland politician)

Last updated

Tony Smith
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Dickson
In office
2 March 1996 –3 October 1998
Preceded by Michael Lavarch
Succeeded by Cheryl Kernot
Personal details
Born (1950-07-15) 15 July 1950 (age 71)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal (to 1998)
Independent (from 1998)
Alma mater University of Queensland
Occupation Fitter and turner
Marine engineer
Farmer
Barrister

Anthony Charles "Tony" Smith (born 15 July 1950) is a former Australian politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1996 to 1998, representing the Queensland seat of Dickson. He was elected as a member of the Liberal Party, but resigned following controversy over his private life and sat as an independent until his defeat.

Contents

Early life

Smith was born on 15 July 1950 in Brisbane, Queensland. [1] He attended Junction Park State School and Salisbury State High School, leaving high school at the age of 15 and taking up an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner with Evans Deakin and Company. He later worked at sea as a marine engineer and as a postman, completing his high school leaving certificate by correspondence while working on a farm. [2] Smith obtained the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and practised as a barrister from 1983 until his election to parliament. [1]

Politics

Smith joined the Liberal Party's Pine Rivers branch in 1974 and served as a delegate to state conference. He was elected to parliament at the 1996 federal election, defeating the incumbent Australian Labor Party (ALP) member and federal government minister Michael Lavarch. [1]

On 26 May 1998, Smith resigned from the Liberal Party to sit as an independent, stating in a letter to Prime Minister John Howard that "you seem unconcerned about the real people out there whose views you find an irritation" and that it was "impossible to properly represent the interests of my constituents as a member of the parliamentary party". [3] He re-contested Dickson at the 1998 election, gaining 9% of the primary vote. His candidacy enabled Labor candidate Cheryl Kernot, formerly leader of the Democrats, to win the seat. [4]

Personal life

In October 1997, the Australian Financial Review reported that Smith had publicly admitted to slapping his wife and was the subject of a domestic violence order (DVO). He was also "recently interviewed by Queensland police when he left a Brisbane brothel just as police were raiding it". [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Biography for SMITH, Anthony (Tony) Charles". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "Maiden speech". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 2 May 1996. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Adjournment: Member for Dickson". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 26 May 1998. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  4. ↑ Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  5. ↑ Syvret, Paul (16 October 1997). "Dickson a tough seat for ALP debut". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Michael Lavarch 		Member for Dickson
1996 – 1998		Succeeded by
Cheryl Kernot


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