Michael Maher (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
Michael John Maher, OAM
(born 11 July 1936) is a former Australian politician. Born in Sydney, he attended De La Salle College, Ashfield and the University of Sydney
and became a solicitor. A member of the Labor Party
, he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
in 1973, representing the seat of Drummoyne
. He held Drummoyne until resigning to contest the 1982 Lowe by-election
, caused by the resignation of former Liberal
Prime Minister
William McMahon
. Maher was successful, and held the seat until 1987, when he was defeated by Bob Woods
.
In 2000, Maher was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal for service to parliament at state and federal levels, and to the Maltese community of New South Wales.
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 11 July 1936) is a former Australian politician. Born in Sydney, he attended De La Salle College, Ashfield 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...
and became a solicitor. A member of the Labor Party
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...
, he was elected to 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...
in 1973, representing the seat of Drummoyne
Electoral district of Drummoyne
Drummoyne is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by John Sidoti of the Liberal Party of Australia.-History:...
. He held Drummoyne until resigning to contest the 1982 Lowe by-election
Lowe by-election, 1982
A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Lowe on 13 March 1982. This was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal Party Prime Minister and MP William McMahon....
, caused by the resignation of former 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...
Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
William McMahon
William McMahon
Sir William "Billy" McMahon, GCMG, CH , was an Australian Liberal politician and the 20th Prime Minister of Australia...
. Maher was successful, and held the seat until 1987, when he was defeated by Bob Woods
Bob Woods
Robert Leslie "Bob" Woods is an Australian former politician. He was a Liberal Senator for the state of New South Wales in Australia between 1993 and 1997. Woods was previously a Member of the Australian House of Representatives as the Liberal member for Lowe between 1987 and 1993...
.
In 2000, Maher was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal for service to parliament at state and federal levels, and to the Maltese community of New South Wales.