Terry Metherell
Encyclopedia
Terry Alan Metherell is a former Australia
n politician who represented the Electoral district of Davidson
in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
from 1981 to 1992. When the Liberal Party won the 1988 election, Premier Nick Greiner
appointed him Minister for Education and Youth Affairs
, a portfolio he held until 1990. In October 1991, he resigned from the Liberal party and remained until his resignation from Parliament to take up the offer of a public service job. This offer led to the downfall of Greiner, who was found to have corruptly offered the position to force a by-election in Metherell's district.
in 1947 and migrated to Australia when he was eight years old. He was educated at Caringbah High School
and the University of Sydney
, where he first graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
(Honours) and a Diploma of Education
(DipEd). Metherell then gained a Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD), majoring in Australian Political History. Between 1973 and 1975 he was a tutor and part time lecturer in Town Planning and Government at the University of Sydney.
in 1975, Metherell joined the Burwood Branch and was appointed research assistant and later private secretary to the Member for Wentworth
and Attorney General of Australia, Robert Ellicott QC from 1975 until 1977. Metherell was then made private secretary to the Minister for Education, Senator John Carrick
, and then from 1979 to 1981 in his role as Minister for National Development and Energy
. Metherell was also a member of the State Executive of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1979 to 1981.
In November 1980 Metherell was pre-selected as the Liberal member
for the North Sydney
seat of Davidson
and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales at the 1981 election
. Upon his election, Metherell was appointed by the leader, John Dowd
, as the Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads from 29 October 1981 to 15 May 1986, when he was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Education and Youth Affairs under the new leader, Nick Greiner
.
on 19 March a Liberal Government was elected under Greiner and Metherell was appointed Minister for Education and Youth Affairs. As minister, Metherell undertook a programme of reform of the education system in New South Wales.
This resulted in the "Education Reform Act 1990 (NSW) (now the Education Act 1990)". The Act was the most significant education legislation in New South Wales in the 20th century. Prior to its assent on 1 June 1990, school education in New South Wales had been provided under a law developed 110 years earlier by Henry Parkes
and William Wilkins
in their "Public Instruction Act 1880 (NSW)". The Act had been amended on numerous occasions, the last of which had been in 1987. On the significance of this law, Metherell said in early 1990: "Chifley in his time was thought of as somewhat of an ogre, but now when we look back on Ben Chifley we reflect upon his statesmanship. People will eventually thank me for these reforms - this is a blueprint for education into the 21st century".
The Act was initially unpopular and charges of tax avoidance forced his resignation from the Ministry in 1990. However there was speculation that he would be re-appointed to the ministry when the Greiner government was re-elected in 1991. Between 6 June 1991 and 2 October 1991 Metherell was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, with special responsibility for urban affairs, and was named as a Member of the University of Sydney
Senate (1991-1992).
, the Greiner government emerged without a clear majority and all hopes of a ministerial appointment for Metherell were squashed. Feeling betrayed and rejected from his party, on 2 October 1991 Metherell resigned from the Liberal Party live on the ABC
's 7.30 Report, without having given his colleagues notice: "Special leadership qualities are required in a time of great economic and social stress. Barton, Deakin, Curtin and Menzies had such qualities. This government has lost its way. The Premier seems unable to reach out and take the community into his confidence. He offers no clear vision that will lift the people in this time of deep recession".
When the government lost The Entrance by-election
to a Labor Candidate, negotiations with Metherell began. Metherell had expressed his interest in one of the Directorships at the new Environmental Protection Authority to neighbouring Liberal Member for Wakehurst, Brad Hazzard
. Hazzard then discussed this with Premier Greiner and Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, at Greiner's residence in February 1992. Greiner and Hazzard then discussed the matter with Metherell while in Parliament ten days later. From the time of these meetings until Metherell's resignation, Metherell reconciled with his former party, supporting the government in parliament, changing his vote to support the "Timber Industry (Interim Protection) Bill" and supported Greiner's "Vision" statement, which had drawn criticism from the Parliament.
Metherell introduced in February 1992 the "Wilderness (Declaration of New Areas) Bill 1992", which sought to declare new sections of land for protection as wilderness under existing legislation. The bill was a crucial factor in triggering the decision by the Minister for Environment, Tim Moore
, to announce in April 1992 a public exhibition and submission process for a National Parks and Wildlife Service
assessment report for twenty three nominated wilderness areas. Despite the Bill being shelved following Metherell's resignation from Parliament, the wilderness assessment reports were eventually published, allowing for extensive protection of bushland areas.
The government subsequently created a job for Metherell, a position with the Environment Protection Agency, which he accepted, effectively engineering a vacancy in a seat that the Liberal Party would recover at a by-election. At the May 1992 by-election the Labor Party did not nominate a candidate, but a field of Independents and minor parties reduced the Liberal vote by 16%, and 14% after preferences, nevertheless won by Liberal candidate Andrew Humpherson
.
While the Liberal Party won the by-election, there was a much higher cost. Because the Greiner government was in a minority, it could not prevent the Legislative Assembly referring the matter of Metherell's appointment to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which made findings of corruption. These findings were eventually ruled by the Supreme Court of New South Wales
as being outside the powers of the ICAC to make, but by then Premier Greiner and the Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, had already resigned. Metherell never took up the offered job.
Following his departure from politics, Metherell became a Director of Life Education Australia, which provides drug education programs to students throughout Australia, a position he held until 1999. He now dedicates his time to the Manly-Warringah Historical Society and various other local associations.
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 who represented the Electoral district of Davidson
Electoral district of Davidson
Davidson is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Jonathan O'Dea of the Liberal Party of Australia.-Members for Davidson:-Election results:...
in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
from 1981 to 1992. When the Liberal Party won the 1988 election, Premier Nick Greiner
Nick Greiner
Nicholas "Nick" Frank Hugo Greiner AC, is an Australian businessman and former politician. He was the 37th Premier New South Wales from 1988 to 1992. He was Leader of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1983 to 1992 and Leader of the Opposition from 1983 to 1988. He is married...
appointed him Minister for Education and Youth Affairs
New South Wales Department of Education and Training
The New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, a department of the Government of New South Wales, is responsibile for primary schools, secondary schools and Technical and Further Education colleges...
, a portfolio he held until 1990. In October 1991, he resigned from the Liberal party and remained until his resignation from Parliament to take up the offer of a public service job. This offer led to the downfall of Greiner, who was found to have corruptly offered the position to force a by-election in Metherell's district.
Early life
Metherell was born in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1947 and migrated to Australia when he was eight years old. He was educated at Caringbah High School
Caringbah High School
Caringbah High School is located on Willarong Road North in the suburb of Caringbah, in the Sutherland Shire, Sydney. It is one of ten academically selective, public and co-educational high schools in New South Wales....
and the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, where he first graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(Honours) and a Diploma of Education
Diploma of Education
The Diploma of Education, often abbreviated to DipEd or GradDipEd, is a postgraduate qualification offered in many Commonwealth countries including Australia, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom...
(DipEd). Metherell then gained a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(PhD), majoring in Australian Political History. Between 1973 and 1975 he was a tutor and part time lecturer in Town Planning and Government at the University of Sydney.
Early political career
Joining the Liberal Party of AustraliaLiberal 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...
in 1975, Metherell joined the Burwood Branch and was appointed research assistant and later private secretary to the Member for Wentworth
Division of Wentworth
The Division of Wentworth is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. It was proclaimed in 1900 and was one of the original 75 divisions contested at the first federal election. The Division is named after William Charles Wentworth , a noted Australian explorer and statesman...
and Attorney General of Australia, Robert Ellicott QC from 1975 until 1977. Metherell was then made private secretary to the Minister for Education, Senator John Carrick
John Carrick (Australian politician)
Sir John Leslie Carrick, AC, KCMG is a former Australian politician.-Early life:Carrick studied economics at the University of Sydney . Before he was able to commence his career to any great degree he fought with the Sparrow Force of the Australian Army during World War II. He was landed on...
, and then from 1979 to 1981 in his role as Minister for National Development and Energy
Minister for Resources and Energy (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Resources and Energy is Martin Ferguson, appointed on 3 December 2007. The Minister administers his portfolios through the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.-List of Ministers for Resources:...
. Metherell was also a member of the State Executive of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1979 to 1981.
In November 1980 Metherell was pre-selected as the Liberal member
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...
for the North Sydney
North Sydney, New South Wales
North Sydney is a suburb and commercial district on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. North Sydney is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of North Sydney...
seat of Davidson
Electoral district of Davidson
Davidson is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Jonathan O'Dea of the Liberal Party of Australia.-Members for Davidson:-Election results:...
and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales at the 1981 election
New South Wales state election, 1981
Elections were held in the state of New South Wales, Australia, on Saturday 19 September 1981. The result was a second "Wranslide": a landslide victory for the Australian Labor Party under Neville Wran, in which the government increased its already sizeable majority.The Liberals suffered the double...
. Upon his election, Metherell was appointed by the leader, John Dowd
John Dowd (politician)
John Robert Arthur Dowd AO QC , a former Australian politician and jurist, is the Chancellor of Southern Cross University and the President of ActionAid Australia, an international aid organisation.-Early years and background:...
, as the Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads from 29 October 1981 to 15 May 1986, when he was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Education and Youth Affairs under the new leader, Nick Greiner
Nick Greiner
Nicholas "Nick" Frank Hugo Greiner AC, is an Australian businessman and former politician. He was the 37th Premier New South Wales from 1988 to 1992. He was Leader of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1983 to 1992 and Leader of the Opposition from 1983 to 1988. He is married...
.
In Government
At the 1988 electionNew South Wales state election, 1988
Elections to the 49th Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 19 March 1988. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election...
on 19 March a Liberal Government was elected under Greiner and Metherell was appointed Minister for Education and Youth Affairs. As minister, Metherell undertook a programme of reform of the education system in New South Wales.
This resulted in the "Education Reform Act 1990 (NSW) (now the Education Act 1990)". The Act was the most significant education legislation in New South Wales in the 20th century. Prior to its assent on 1 June 1990, school education in New South Wales had been provided under a law developed 110 years earlier by Henry Parkes
Henry Parkes
Sir Henry Parkes, GCMG was an Australian statesman, the "Father of Federation." As the earliest advocate of a Federal Council of the colonies of Australia, a precursor to the Federation of Australia, he was the most prominent of the Australian Founding Fathers.Parkes was described during his...
and William Wilkins
William Wilkins
William Wilkins may refer to:* William Wilkins , British architect and archaeologist* William Wilkins , American politician from Pennsylvania; served in both houses of Congress and as U.S. Secretary of War* William A...
in their "Public Instruction Act 1880 (NSW)". The Act had been amended on numerous occasions, the last of which had been in 1987. On the significance of this law, Metherell said in early 1990: "Chifley in his time was thought of as somewhat of an ogre, but now when we look back on Ben Chifley we reflect upon his statesmanship. People will eventually thank me for these reforms - this is a blueprint for education into the 21st century".
The Act was initially unpopular and charges of tax avoidance forced his resignation from the Ministry in 1990. However there was speculation that he would be re-appointed to the ministry when the Greiner government was re-elected in 1991. Between 6 June 1991 and 2 October 1991 Metherell was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, with special responsibility for urban affairs, and was named as a Member of the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
Senate (1991-1992).
The "Metherell Affair" and resignation
At the 1991 electionNew South Wales state election, 1991
Elections to the 50th Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 25 May 1991. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election...
, the Greiner government emerged without a clear majority and all hopes of a ministerial appointment for Metherell were squashed. Feeling betrayed and rejected from his party, on 2 October 1991 Metherell resigned from the Liberal Party live on the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's 7.30 Report, without having given his colleagues notice: "Special leadership qualities are required in a time of great economic and social stress. Barton, Deakin, Curtin and Menzies had such qualities. This government has lost its way. The Premier seems unable to reach out and take the community into his confidence. He offers no clear vision that will lift the people in this time of deep recession".
When the government lost The Entrance by-election
Electoral district of The Entrance
The Entrance is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is represented by Chris Spence of the Liberal Party of Australia who defeated Labor candidate David Mehan at the State Election in 2011...
to a Labor Candidate, negotiations with Metherell began. Metherell had expressed his interest in one of the Directorships at the new Environmental Protection Authority to neighbouring Liberal Member for Wakehurst, Brad Hazzard
Brad Hazzard
Bradley "Brad" Ronald Hazzard MP , an Australian politician, is the New South Wales Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW in the O'Farrell-Stoner Liberal/National coalitition government...
. Hazzard then discussed this with Premier Greiner and Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, at Greiner's residence in February 1992. Greiner and Hazzard then discussed the matter with Metherell while in Parliament ten days later. From the time of these meetings until Metherell's resignation, Metherell reconciled with his former party, supporting the government in parliament, changing his vote to support the "Timber Industry (Interim Protection) Bill" and supported Greiner's "Vision" statement, which had drawn criticism from the Parliament.
Metherell introduced in February 1992 the "Wilderness (Declaration of New Areas) Bill 1992", which sought to declare new sections of land for protection as wilderness under existing legislation. The bill was a crucial factor in triggering the decision by the Minister for Environment, Tim Moore
Tim Moore (Australian politician)
Timothy John "Tim" Moore is a former Australian politician. He was the Liberal member for Gordon in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1976 to 1992, and Minister from the Environment from 1989 to 1992.-Career:...
, to announce in April 1992 a public exhibition and submission process for a National Parks and Wildlife Service
National Parks and Wildlife Service (New South Wales)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Office of Environment and Heritage - the main government conservation agency in New South Wales, Australia....
assessment report for twenty three nominated wilderness areas. Despite the Bill being shelved following Metherell's resignation from Parliament, the wilderness assessment reports were eventually published, allowing for extensive protection of bushland areas.
The government subsequently created a job for Metherell, a position with the Environment Protection Agency, which he accepted, effectively engineering a vacancy in a seat that the Liberal Party would recover at a by-election. At the May 1992 by-election the Labor Party did not nominate a candidate, but a field of Independents and minor parties reduced the Liberal vote by 16%, and 14% after preferences, nevertheless won by Liberal candidate Andrew Humpherson
Andrew Humpherson
Andrew Humpherson, is a former Australian politician, elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Davidson from 1992-2007.-Early life:...
.
While the Liberal Party won the by-election, there was a much higher cost. Because the Greiner government was in a minority, it could not prevent the Legislative Assembly referring the matter of Metherell's appointment to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which made findings of corruption. These findings were eventually ruled by the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Supreme Court of New South Wales
The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court of the Australian State of New South Wales...
as being outside the powers of the ICAC to make, but by then Premier Greiner and the Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, had already resigned. Metherell never took up the offered job.
Following his departure from politics, Metherell became a Director of Life Education Australia, which provides drug education programs to students throughout Australia, a position he held until 1999. He now dedicates his time to the Manly-Warringah Historical Society and various other local associations.