Kevin Newman (politician)
The Honourable Kevin Newman AO | |
---|---|
Member of the Australian Parliament for Bass | |
In office 28 June 1975 – 26 October 1984 | |
Preceded by | Lance Barnard |
Succeeded by | Warwick Smith |
Personal details | |
Born |
Kevin Eugene Newman 10 October 1933 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Died |
17 July 1999 65) Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | (aged
Nationality | Australian |
Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
Spouse(s) | Jocelyn Newman |
Children | Campbell Newman |
Occupation | Army Officer |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Service/branch | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1955–1975 |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit |
3 RAR 2 RAR |
Commands |
5 RAR 6th Military District |
Kevin Eugene Newman AO (10 October 1933 – 17 July 1999) was an Australian soldier and politician.
Army career
He rose to the rank of Colonel in the Australian Army, serving in Malaysia and the Vietnam War.[1]
Political career
Newman entered political life through a 1975 by-election for the Division of Bass, Tasmania, in the House of Representatives, as the Liberal candidate. The previous member, former Labor Deputy Prime Minister Lance Barnard, had held it for 21 years without serious difficulty. However, Newman took the seat off Labor with a massive 14-point swing, turning Bass into a safe Liberal seat at one stroke. His primary vote margin was actually large enough to win without the need for preferences. This shock result is reckoned as the beginning of the end for the Whitlam government, which was dismissed only six months later.
Newman easily retained his seat at the December 1975 general election. With the election of the Fraser government, he was appointed Minister for Repatriation in the second Fraser Ministry. In July 1976, he became Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development when Ivor Greenwood became ill. He was responsible for environment issues when the decision was taken to cease sand mining on world heritage listed Fraser Island.
In December 1978, Newman was appointed Minister for National Development in the third Fraser Ministry. In December 1979 he was appointed Minister for Productivity and in November 1980 he was appointed Minister for Administrative Services in the fourth Fraser Ministry, a position he retained until the defeat of the government in the 1983 election. He retired from the parliament prior to the 1984 election.
Post-political activities
In retirement, Newman was appointed President of the National Trust Tasmania, a member of the board of the Menzies Foundation and a director of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach, Queensland.
Newman was the Chairman of the Old Parliament House Governing Council from 1997 to 1999.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 1994.[2]
Family
Newman was married to Jocelyn Newman, a Senator for Tasmania, and Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women in the Howard government. They had two children: Kate and Campbell. Campbell Newman was the Lord Mayor of Brisbane 2004-11, and was Premier of Queensland from March 2012 to February 2015.
References
- ↑ Vietnam War Nominal Roll
- ↑ It's an Honour – Officer of the Order of Australia
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Don Chipp |
Minister for Repatriation 1975–76 |
Succeeded by Peter Durack |
Preceded by Ivor Greenwood |
Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development 1976–77 |
Succeeded by Ray Groom |
Preceded by Doug Anthony |
Minister for National Development 1977–80 |
Succeeded by John Carrick |
Preceded by Ian Macphee |
Minister for Productivity 1979–80 |
Position abolished |
Preceded by John McLeay |
Minister for Administrative Services 1980–83 |
Succeeded by John Brown |
Parliament of Australia | ||
Preceded by Lance Barnard |
Member for Bass 1975–84 |
Succeeded by Warwick Smith |