Rob Akers
Encyclopedia
Robert George "Rob" Akers (17 October 1941 – 26 October 2006) was an architect and Liberal Party
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
, for the seat of Pine Rivers
1974-1983. Later he was Shire Chairman of Pine Rivers until 1994.
In 1995, he stood for the State seat of Kurwongbah
as an independent.
R. G. Akers was the second son of Pine Rivers Councilor James Henry (Jim) Akers (1913-1977) and M. B. S. (Molly) Akers OAM ( -1999). He attended Brisbane Grammar School
.
Akers married (the second marriage for both) fellow parliamentarian Rosemary Kyburz
while in parliament, the first time sitting members had married each other. They have two sons.
He and his wife both lost their seats in the 1983 Liberal Party electoral collapse after Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen
characterised many of the Liberal Party members of his Coalition government as "ratbags". These events led to the end of the National-Liberal Coalition in Queensland (at State level).
Rob Akers entered the 1994 Mayoral election as sitting Shire Chairman against Yvonne Chapman
and 4 others. In addition to being the first time the Shire elected a Mayor, it was also the first time a preferential ballot was used. Cr Akers received the majority of the first preferences but Ms Chapman was victorious after the distribution of preferences.
This was the second time Ms Chapman had defeated Rob Akers at significant election, having taken the Queensland Parliamentary seat of Pine Rivers from him in 1983.
Sometimes incorrectly identified as the author of a widely distributed 1996 paper on religious
discrimination in Queensland:
Queensland Criminal Code Review Submission
R. L. AKERS, September 1996, [online]
Correct
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 Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, for the seat of Pine Rivers
Electoral district of Pine Rivers
The district of Pine Rivers is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland.It was first created for the 1972 state election, based in the Shire of Pine Rivers in the northern outskirts of Brisbane...
1974-1983. Later he was Shire Chairman of Pine Rivers until 1994.
In 1995, he stood for the State seat of Kurwongbah
Electoral district of Kurwongbah
Kurwongbah was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland from 1992 to 2009.The district was based in the outer northern suburbs of Brisbane. Prior to its abolition, it included the suburbs of Kurwongbah, Bray Park, Eatons Hill, Samsonvale and Strathpine...
as an independent.
R. G. Akers was the second son of Pine Rivers Councilor James Henry (Jim) Akers (1913-1977) and M. B. S. (Molly) Akers OAM ( -1999). He attended Brisbane Grammar School
Brisbane Grammar School
Brisbane Grammar School is an independent, non-denominational, day and boarding school for boys, located in Spring Hill, an inner suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia...
.
Akers married (the second marriage for both) fellow parliamentarian Rosemary Kyburz
Rosemary Kyburz
Rosemary Annette Kyburz Member of the Queensland State Parliament as the Liberal Member for Salisbury.Kyburz married fellow politician Rob Akers while in parliament, the first time sitting members had married each other...
while in parliament, the first time sitting members had married each other. They have two sons.
He and his wife both lost their seats in the 1983 Liberal Party electoral collapse after Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG , was an Australian politician. He was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of Queensland, holding office from 1968 to 1987, a period that saw considerable economic development in the state...
characterised many of the Liberal Party members of his Coalition government as "ratbags". These events led to the end of the National-Liberal Coalition in Queensland (at State level).
Rob Akers entered the 1994 Mayoral election as sitting Shire Chairman against Yvonne Chapman
Yvonne Chapman
Yvonne Ann Chapman is an Australian politician with the National Party of Australia. She was a Queensland Member of Parliament from 1983 until 1989 , and Mayor of the Shire of Pine Rivers .- Background :Chapman contested the 1994 mayoral election against sitting Shire Chairman Rob Akers and 4 others...
and 4 others. In addition to being the first time the Shire elected a Mayor, it was also the first time a preferential ballot was used. Cr Akers received the majority of the first preferences but Ms Chapman was victorious after the distribution of preferences.
This was the second time Ms Chapman had defeated Rob Akers at significant election, having taken the Queensland Parliamentary seat of Pine Rivers from him in 1983.
Honours, Awards, recognition
- Rob Akers was honoured by Pine Rivers Shire naming the Rob Akers Reserve, a substantial sports ground and parklands after him.
- Rob Akers was a recipient of the Centenary MedalCentenary MedalThe Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
in 2001 for: "distinguished service to the community through parliament, local government and the Lions Club"
Sometimes incorrectly identified as the author of a widely distributed 1996 paper on religious
discrimination in Queensland:
Queensland Criminal Code Review Submission
R. L. AKERS, September 1996, [online]
Correct