Mark Vaile
Encyclopedia
Mark Anthony James Vaile (born 18 April 1956), Australian politician, is a former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
and former leader of the National Party of Australia
.
1985–93, including three years as Deputy Mayor. He is married with three daughters and lives on a 40 ha (98.8 acre) rural property outside Taree, New South Wales
.
between March 1993 and July 2008, representing the Division of Lyne
, New South Wales
. He was Assistant National Party Whip 1994–96 and National Party Whip 1996–97. In 1997 he was appointed Minister for Transport and Regional Development, and in 1998 he became Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
. In July 1999, following the resignation of Tim Fischer
and the election of John Anderson
as National Party leader, he was elected the party's Deputy Leader and became Minister for Trade
. When John Anderson resigned in 2005, Vaile was elected Leader unopposed. On 6 July 2005 he was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister
.
As Trade Minister, Vaile was involved in the negotiation of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which was opposed by some traditional National Party constituencies such as the sugar industry. During 2005 he also conducted negotiations for the proposed Australia-China Free Trade Agreement
. In late 2005 he had an operation to remove a malignant melanoma
from his back.
Since Vaile took on the leadership of the Nationals in 2005, there were increasing suggestions for Vaile to take on a domestic portfolio as the trade portfolio requires frequent overseas travel. Throughout 2006, Vaile's position in the trade portfolio came under increasing scrutiny due to his handling of the AWB kickbacks scandal and Australia's worsening trade performance. He also faced the difficult task of placating his back bench, with Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce
having crossed the floor on more than one occasion.
On 24 September 2006 he switched portfolios with deputy Nationals leader Warren Truss
and became Minister for Transport and Regional Services. His new position had a greater focus on regional Australia, the Nationals party's main constituency. He lost his ministerial position as a result of the coalition's defeat in the November 2007 election. Vaile subsequently resigned his position as Nationals leader, and moved to the backbench.
Vaile announced his resignation from Parliament on 19 July 2008, which triggered a Lyne by-election
. His resignation was made effective on 30 July 2008.
Mark is also Non-Executive Chairman of Aston Resources Limited (ASX:ATZ) http://astonresources.com and Non–Executive Director & Chairman of CBD Energy Limited (ASX:CBD) www.cbdenergy.com.au
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the second-most senior officer in the Government of Australia. The Deputy Prime Ministership has been a ministerial portfolio since 1968, and the Deputy Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime...
and former leader of the National Party of Australia
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
.
Early life
Vaile was born in Sydney and worked as a farm machinery retailer and stock and station and real estate agent before entering politics. He was a member of the Greater Taree City CouncilCity of Greater Taree
The City of Greater Taree is a Local Government Area on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, centered on Taree. It is on the Manning River, the Pacific Highway and the North Coast railway line.- History :...
1985–93, including three years as Deputy Mayor. He is married with three daughters and lives on a 40 ha (98.8 acre) rural property outside Taree, New South Wales
Taree, New South Wales
Taree is a city on the Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia. Taree and nearby Cundletown were settled in 1831 by William Wynter. Since then Taree has grown to a population of around 20,000 people and is the centre of a significant agricultural district. It is 16 km from the sea coast,...
.
Parliamentary career
Vaile was a member of the Australian House of RepresentativesAustralian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
between March 1993 and July 2008, representing the Division of Lyne
Division of Lyne
The Division of Lyne is an Australian electoral division located in the State of New South Wales. It lies on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales and includes the Local Government Areas of Gloucester, Greater Taree, Port Macquarie-Hastings and southern Kempsey...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. He was Assistant National Party Whip 1994–96 and National Party Whip 1996–97. In 1997 he was appointed Minister for Transport and Regional Development, and in 1998 he became Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)
The current Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig.-Portfolio responsibilities:The minister administers his portfolio through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and its component bodies:...
. In July 1999, following the resignation of Tim Fischer
Tim Fischer
Timothy Andrew Fischer, AC , is a former Australian politician. He served as Deputy Prime Minister in the Howard Government from 1996 before retiring from Cabinet in 1999...
and the election of John Anderson
John Anderson (Australian politician)
John Duncan Anderson AO is a former Australian politician. He served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Leader of the rural-based National Party of Australia from July 1999 to July 2005.-Early years:...
as National Party leader, he was elected the party's Deputy Leader and became Minister for Trade
Minister for Trade (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Trade has been Dr. Craig Emerson since 14 September 2010.-Portfolio:Currently the Minister for Trade administers the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade jointly with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, although prior to 1987 there was a separate Department of Trade...
. When John Anderson resigned in 2005, Vaile was elected Leader unopposed. On 6 July 2005 he was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the second-most senior officer in the Government of Australia. The Deputy Prime Ministership has been a ministerial portfolio since 1968, and the Deputy Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime...
.
As Trade Minister, Vaile was involved in the negotiation of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which was opposed by some traditional National Party constituencies such as the sugar industry. During 2005 he also conducted negotiations for the proposed Australia-China Free Trade Agreement
Australia-China Free Trade Agreement
The Australia–China Free Trade Agreement is a proposed bilateral Free Trade Agreement between the governments of Australia and China. The first round of negotiations began on May 26, 2005 after a joint feasibility study. Since then 15 negotiating rounds have been completed...
. In late 2005 he had an operation to remove a malignant melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
from his back.
Since Vaile took on the leadership of the Nationals in 2005, there were increasing suggestions for Vaile to take on a domestic portfolio as the trade portfolio requires frequent overseas travel. Throughout 2006, Vaile's position in the trade portfolio came under increasing scrutiny due to his handling of the AWB kickbacks scandal and Australia's worsening trade performance. He also faced the difficult task of placating his back bench, with Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce
Barnaby Joyce
Barnaby Thomas Gerald Joyce , Australian politician, has been a National Party member of the Australian Senate representing the state of Queensland since July 2005...
having crossed the floor on more than one occasion.
On 24 September 2006 he switched portfolios with deputy Nationals leader Warren Truss
Warren Truss
Warren Errol Truss , Australian politician, is the current leader of the National Party of Australia in the Parliament of Australia. He has held the House of Representatives seat of Wide Bay since the 1990 election...
and became Minister for Transport and Regional Services. His new position had a greater focus on regional Australia, the Nationals party's main constituency. He lost his ministerial position as a result of the coalition's defeat in the November 2007 election. Vaile subsequently resigned his position as Nationals leader, and moved to the backbench.
Vaile announced his resignation from Parliament on 19 July 2008, which triggered a Lyne by-election
Lyne by-election, 2008
A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Lyne on 6 September 2008. This was triggered by the resignation of National Party MP Mark Vaile. The by-election was held on the same day as the Mayo by-election, and the Western Australian state election.The writ for the...
. His resignation was made effective on 30 July 2008.
Post-parliament career
In September 2008, Vaile confirmed that he had been appointed to the board of Virgin Blue.Mark is also Non-Executive Chairman of Aston Resources Limited (ASX:ATZ) http://astonresources.com and Non–Executive Director & Chairman of CBD Energy Limited (ASX:CBD) www.cbdenergy.com.au
External links
- Mark Vaile's Maiden Speech in the House of Representatives
- Trademark Thoughts, Aurora: (Roman Catholic) Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Tracey Edstein, December 2005 – January 2006.