Justin Madden
Encyclopedia
Madden was 206 cm (6' 9") tall, and one of the tallest men ever to play Australian Rules football, and his potential in this area was fully utilized by Carlton, who used him as their main ruckman. Over the next fifteen seasons, Madden became a mainstay of the Carlton side, and one of the most recognizable players in the league, playing 287 games for the club. He was a member of their 1987 and 1995 premiership teams, and came within one vote of tying with Brad Hardie
for the 1985 Brownlow Medal
when he polled 3 votes in five consecutive games.
Madden retired from teaching in 1988, and in 1990, became President of the AFL Players Association
, (taking over the role from his older brother Simon
) while still playing for Carlton and at the peak of his career. In his seven-year tenure, which continued until his retirement, he oversaw the increasing professionalism of the game, and the expansion of the association to the point where it represented almost every eligible player in the entire league. Despite the increasing demands of AFL football, where most players were becoming professional players, Madden studied at RMIT University
to become an architect
. After graduating, he worked in this field while continuing to play football.
Madden's nomination as a Labor candidate for the Legislative Council seat of Doutta Galla Province
in the leadup to the 1999 state election came as a surprise to many. However, he attained pre-selection, and was subsequently elected. When Labor won a surprise victory at the election, Madden found himself appointed Minister for Sport and Recreation, despite having no prior political experience. This was in spite of rumours that he had specifically requested not to be given Sport and Recreation, but instead had asked to be made responsible for Education. He was initially given the additional portfolio of Youth Affairs, but this was replaced with the Commonwealth Games after the 2002 election.
In the wake of reforms to the Legislative Council which cut the number of members, Madden was initially placed in danger of losing his pre-selection, but was saved by intervention from Premier Steve Bracks
. This initially saw him pre-selected for the Legislative Assembly
seat of Bundoora
, vacated by former minister Sherryl Garbutt
. However, after the sudden retirement of another former minister, Mary Delahunty
, in Northcote
, another deal was arranged which saw Madden instead remain in a safe position on the Legislative Council ticket. At the 2006 Victoria State election he was elected to the Legislative Council as a member for the Western Metropolitan Region.
In mid-2006 and early 2007 Madden made reference to "McMansion
s", stating that too many Victorians are building large homes. This statement became very controversial after it was discovered Madden himself had a sprawling home and had in fact applied to renovate and conduct a major extension onto his home, thus creating much discussion on outspoken journalist Neil Mitchell's talk-back radio program on 3AW
. The Minister has since completed his extensions and defended his statements.
Madden was a keynote speaker at the 2008 Metropolis Congress in Sydney October 2008. Madden addressed world mayors and industry leaders on urban development and Metropolitan Performance Management.
On 25 February 2010 the ABC revealed an email mistakenly sent from Mr Madden's office containing a media strategy document. The document included strategy for dealing with the proposed development of the heritage listed Windsor Hotel in Melbourne:
In the 2010 Victoria State election
he retired from the Legislative Council and was elected to the Legislative Assembly seat of Essendon
.
Brad Hardie
Bradley John "Brad" Hardie is a former Australian rules footballer and current radio commentator. He began his career as an attacking back pocket player, but ended as a dangerous goal kicking forward pocket...
for the 1985 Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
when he polled 3 votes in five consecutive games.
Madden retired from teaching in 1988, and in 1990, became President of the AFL Players Association
AFL Players Association
The AFL Players Association, or AFLPA, is the representative body for all current and past professional Australian Football League players....
, (taking over the role from his older brother Simon
Simon Madden
Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989....
) while still playing for Carlton and at the peak of his career. In his seven-year tenure, which continued until his retirement, he oversaw the increasing professionalism of the game, and the expansion of the association to the point where it represented almost every eligible player in the entire league. Despite the increasing demands of AFL football, where most players were becoming professional players, Madden studied at RMIT University
RMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
to become an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. After graduating, he worked in this field while continuing to play football.
Political career
After retiring from football in 1997, Madden continued to work as an architect. The Essendon and Carlton Football Clubs agreed to name future contests between the two clubs the Madden Cup, in honour of both the Madden brothers. By this time, Madden was also a life member at Carlton.Madden's nomination as a Labor candidate for the Legislative Council seat of Doutta Galla Province
Doutta Galla Province
Doutta Galla Province was an electorate of the Victorian Legislative Council until 2006. It was abolished from the 2006 state election in the wake of the Bracks Labor government's reform of the Legislative Council.-Members for Doutta Galla Province:...
in the leadup to the 1999 state election came as a surprise to many. However, he attained pre-selection, and was subsequently elected. When Labor won a surprise victory at the election, Madden found himself appointed Minister for Sport and Recreation, despite having no prior political experience. This was in spite of rumours that he had specifically requested not to be given Sport and Recreation, but instead had asked to be made responsible for Education. He was initially given the additional portfolio of Youth Affairs, but this was replaced with the Commonwealth Games after the 2002 election.
In the wake of reforms to the Legislative Council which cut the number of members, Madden was initially placed in danger of losing his pre-selection, but was saved by intervention from Premier Steve Bracks
Steve Bracks
Stephen Philip Bracks AC is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria. He first won the electoral district of Williamstown in 1994 for the Australian Labor Party, and was party leader and Premier from 1999 to 2007....
. This initially saw him pre-selected for the Legislative Assembly
Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia. Together with the Victorian Legislative Council, the upper house, it sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Melbourne.-History:...
seat of Bundoora
Electoral district of Bundoora
Bundoora is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Victoria. It is a 28km² electorate located in northern Melbourne, encompassing the suburbs of Watsonia and Yallambie and parts of Bundoora, Greensborough, Macleod and Rosanna. It also includes the central...
, vacated by former minister Sherryl Garbutt
Sherryl Garbutt
Sherryl Maree Garbutt is a former Australian politician.Born in Melbourne, Victoria, she attended Oak Park High School before receiving her tertiary education at the University of Melbourne and at La Trobe University . She is also a Justice of the Peace...
. However, after the sudden retirement of another former minister, Mary Delahunty
Mary Delahunty
Mary Delahunty is an Australian journalist and retired politician with the Australian Labor Party.-Early life:Delahunty was born in Victoria, Australia and educated at Loreto College, in Victoria. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Latrobe University.-Media career:Delahunty...
, in Northcote
Electoral district of Northcote
The Electoral district of Northcote is an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It currently covers the suburbs of Alphington, Fairfield, Northcote, Thornbury, and part of Preston. It lies on the northern bank of the Yarra River between the Merri and Darebin creeks.The seat...
, another deal was arranged which saw Madden instead remain in a safe position on the Legislative Council ticket. At the 2006 Victoria State election he was elected to the Legislative Council as a member for the Western Metropolitan Region.
In mid-2006 and early 2007 Madden made reference to "McMansion
McMansion
McMansion is a pejorative term for a large new house which is judged as pretentious, tasteless, or badly designed for its neighborhood. Alternately, a McMansion is a large house in a sub-division of similarly large houses, which all seem mass produced and lacking distinguishing characteristics, and...
s", stating that too many Victorians are building large homes. This statement became very controversial after it was discovered Madden himself had a sprawling home and had in fact applied to renovate and conduct a major extension onto his home, thus creating much discussion on outspoken journalist Neil Mitchell's talk-back radio program on 3AW
3AW
3AW is a talkback radio station in Melbourne, Australia on 693 kHz AM. It began transmission on 22 February 1932 as Melbourne's fifth commercial radio station.-History:...
. The Minister has since completed his extensions and defended his statements.
Madden was a keynote speaker at the 2008 Metropolis Congress in Sydney October 2008. Madden addressed world mayors and industry leaders on urban development and Metropolitan Performance Management.
On 25 February 2010 the ABC revealed an email mistakenly sent from Mr Madden's office containing a media strategy document. The document included strategy for dealing with the proposed development of the heritage listed Windsor Hotel in Melbourne:
- Windsor Advisory Committee report is expected to recommend that development go ahead;
- Strategy at this stage is to release it for public comment, as this affects the entire community, and then use those responses as reason to halt it, as we have listened to community views.
In the 2010 Victoria State election
Victorian state election, 2010
The 2010 Victorian state election was held on 27 November. The incumbent centre-left Australian Labor Party government, led by John Brumby, was defeated by the centre-right Liberal/National Coalition opposition, led by Ted Baillieu....
he retired from the Legislative Council and was elected to the Legislative Assembly seat of Essendon
Electoral district of Essendon
The Electoral district of Essendon is an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It lies just north of Melbourne and covers the suburbs of Essendon, Moonee Ponds and Ascot Vale...
.
External links
- http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/id/128