Neil Andrew
Encyclopedia
John Neil Andrew, AO
(born 7 June 1944), Australia
n politician, was a Liberal
member of the Australian House of Representatives
from March 1983 to October 2004, representing the Division of Wakefield
, South Australia
. He was born in Waikerie, South Australia
, and was a horticulturalist
before entering politics.
Andrew was a Councillor in the District Council of Waikerie from 1976–83, before being elected to the House of Representatives in the 1983 federal election
.
Having been for 15 years a little-known Liberal backbencher, Andrew became Speaker of the House
after the October 1998 elections. Some parliamentarians regarded his interventions during debates as heavy-handed and his remarks from the chair as sometimes pompous. Along with Leo McLeay
, Andrew was one of only two Speakers (as of 2007) to be subjected to a motion of no confidence
. In neither case was the motion successful.
Andrew presided over the House during the special sitting in May 2001 to mark the centenary of the Parliament of Australia
, which met in the Royal Exhibition Building
, Melbourne
, as did the first Parliament in 1901. Following a redistribution which in most commentators' opinions made his electorate unwinnable (although in fact the Liberal Party retained it), Andrew announced his retirement from politics at the 2004 elections. He remained Speaker until David Hawker
was elected to succeed him on 16 November.
Andrew was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia
in the 2008 Australia Day
awards.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 7 June 1944), Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician, was a Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
member of the Australian House of Representatives
Australian 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....
from March 1983 to October 2004, representing the Division of Wakefield
Division of Wakefield
The Division of Wakefield is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of South Australia. It is located north of Adelaide, incorporating the outer northern suburbs of Salisbury and Elizabeth, and extending north as far as Clare. It covers the east coast of the Gulf St Vincent north of...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. He was born in Waikerie, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, and was a horticulturalist
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
before entering politics.
Andrew was a Councillor in the District Council of Waikerie from 1976–83, before being elected to the House of Representatives in the 1983 federal election
Australian federal election, 1983
Federal elections were held in Australia on 5 March 1983. All 125 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 64 seats in the Senate, were up for election, following a double dissolution...
.
Having been for 15 years a little-known Liberal backbencher, Andrew became Speaker of the House
Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives
The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Parliament of Australia. The presiding officer in the upper house is the President of the Senate....
after the October 1998 elections. Some parliamentarians regarded his interventions during debates as heavy-handed and his remarks from the chair as sometimes pompous. Along with Leo McLeay
Leo McLeay
Leo Boyce McLeay , Australian politician, was a Labor Party member of the House of Representatives from June 1979 to October 2004. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives 1989-93.-Biography:...
, Andrew was one of only two Speakers (as of 2007) to be subjected to a motion of no confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
. In neither case was the motion successful.
Andrew presided over the House during the special sitting in May 2001 to mark the centenary of the Parliament of Australia
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
, which met in the Royal Exhibition Building
Royal Exhibition Building
The Royal Exhibition Building is a World Heritage Site-listed building in Melbourne, Australia, completed in 1880. It is located at 9 Nicholson Street in the Carlton Gardens, flanked by Victoria, Nicholson, Carlton and Rathdowne Streets, at the north-eastern edge of the central business district...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, as did the first Parliament in 1901. Following a redistribution which in most commentators' opinions made his electorate unwinnable (although in fact the Liberal Party retained it), Andrew announced his retirement from politics at the 2004 elections. He remained Speaker until David Hawker
David Hawker
David Peter Maxwell Hawker , Australian politician, was a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives from May 1983 to July 2010, representing the Division of Wannon, Victoria, previously represented by former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. He was born in Adelaide, and was educated at...
was elected to succeed him on 16 November.
Andrew was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
in the 2008 Australia Day
Australia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...
awards.