Michael Darby
Encyclopedia
Michael John Darby is an Australian politician. Originally a member of the Liberal Party
, he went on to be significant in the Christian Democratic Party
. He has been called a "right-wing maverick" because of his strong convictions (pro-free market, socially conservative), and named as a member of the NSW 'uglies' faction in the 1980s. He was expelled from the Liberal Party in 2008.
Darby is the son of long-serving state Liberal MP Douglas Darby
. A former army
officer and interpreter, he became active in politics in the 1970s. His first run for office was as the Liberal candidate for the safe Labor
seat of Werriwa
in the 1974 federal election
, running against then-Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
. He later contested the 1988 Oxley by-election
as an independent
, and also ran as an independent in Dickson
in 1993. He subsequently returned to the Liberal Party and ran in the fifth position on the Coalition
Senate ticket for New South Wales in 2004. Following his expulsion from the Liberal Party he became campaign director for the Christian Democratic Party
, but was relieved of this position following a controversial survey circulated during the campaign for the 2009 Bradfield by-election
, when the Christian Democrats ran nine candidates.
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...
, he went on to be significant in the Christian Democratic Party
Christian Democratic Party (Australia)
The Christian Democratic Party is a right-wing political party in Australia. Its leader is Fred Nile, a Congregational Church minister and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.-Formation:...
. He has been called a "right-wing maverick" because of his strong convictions (pro-free market, socially conservative), and named as a member of the NSW 'uglies' faction in the 1980s. He was expelled from the Liberal Party in 2008.
Darby is the son of long-serving state Liberal MP Douglas Darby
Douglas Darby
Evelyn Douglas Darby MP was an Australian politician, elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly...
. A former army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
officer and interpreter, he became active in politics in the 1970s. His first run for office was as the Liberal candidate for the safe Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
seat of Werriwa
Division of Werriwa
The Division of Werriwa is a Federal Electoral Division for the Australian House of Representatives.The name Werriwa derives from a local Aboriginal name for Lake George, which was located in the division when it was established in 1900. The division was one of the original 75 divisions first...
in the 1974 federal election
Australian federal election, 1974
Federal elections were held in Australia on 18 May 1974. All 127 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 60 seats in the Senate were up for election, due to a double dissolution...
, running against then-Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
. He later contested the 1988 Oxley by-election
Oxley by-election, 1988
A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Oxley on 8 October 1988. This was triggered by the resignation of Labor Party MP Bill Hayden to become Governor-General....
as an independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
, and also ran as an independent in Dickson
Division of Dickson
The Division of Dickson is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland, Australia. The division was formed in 1992 and is named after Sir James Dickson, a leading advocate in Australian Federation, Queensland Premier and Minister for Defence in first Australian Ministry. It is located in the...
in 1993. He subsequently returned to the Liberal Party and ran in the fifth position on the Coalition
Coalition (Australia)
The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a group of centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922...
Senate ticket for New South Wales in 2004. Following his expulsion from the Liberal Party he became campaign director for the Christian Democratic Party
Christian Democratic Party (Australia)
The Christian Democratic Party is a right-wing political party in Australia. Its leader is Fred Nile, a Congregational Church minister and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.-Formation:...
, but was relieved of this position following a controversial survey circulated during the campaign for the 2009 Bradfield by-election
Bradfield by-election, 2009
A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Bradfield on 5 December 2009. This was triggered as a result of the resignation of former minister and ex-Liberal Party leader Brendan Nelson...
, when the Christian Democrats ran nine candidates.
External links
- http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2009/04/17/do-cdp-members-realise-what-is-happening/
- An interview with Darby