User:Rebecca/Drafts/Richard Mulcahy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Mulcahy is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly since 2004; a former Liberal Party of Australia MLA, he has sat as an independent since his expulsion from the Liberal Party in late 2007.
Mulcahy first entered politics as an influential member of the Tasmanian branch of the Labor Party in the 1970s, serving as President of the state's Labor Youth organisation. He resigned from the party in 1973 over an internal party split, became the youngest ever Senate candidate in Tasmania when he ran as an independent in 1974, and subsequently joined the Liberal Party later that year. After narrowly missing out on election to the Tasmanian House of Assembly as a Liberal in 1983, he became a prominent business lobbyist on the mainland, representing at various times the confectionery, tobacco and hotel industries.
Mulcahy returned to politics in 2004, contesting the 2004 ACT election as a Liberal. He was subsequently elected, and was immediately promoted to Shadow Treasurer. He was one of the most prominent members of the Liberal caucus over the next three years, and was repeatedly reported as seeking the leadership, but was never able to attain the numbers. He led a conservative faction within the party's caucus, and was instrumental in much of the party's internal battles, subsequently resulting in his sacking as Shadow Treasurer and expulsion from the party in late 2007. He is now seeking re-election as an independent MLA for the 2008 ACT election.
[edit] Early political career
Mulcahy was raised in Tasmania, and joined the Australian Labor Party in 1968 over his opposition to the Vietnam War and conscription. He rose rapidly through the party organisation, becoming president of the state's Labor Youth movement, and becoming a key player in state Labor politics.
- joined the Labor Party in 1968 over Vietnam and conscription, involved in Labor Youth movement - ran unsuccessfully as an independent for a Tasmanian Senate seat in 1974, at 21 the youngest person ever at the time to run for the Senate; joined the Liberal Party later that year - at some point, staffer for Sir Rupert Hamer - in Tasmania, worked for Michael Hodgman (when federal MP), former Tasmanian Liberal leader Sir Max Bingham and former Tasmanian Senator John Marriott - unsuccessful Liberal candidate for the Tasmanian House of Assembly seat of Denison in 1982, would have been elected on the recount when former Liberal leader Sir Max Bingham resigned in 1984, but had left Tasmania and did not nominate for the countback - then served as chief executive officer of the Confectionery Manufacturers of Australia, and was intimately involved in the Dollar Sweets case (Dollar Sweets Pty. Ltd. v. The Federated Confectioners' Association of Australia) - subsequently became chief executive of the Tobacco Institute of Australia from 1990 to 1991 [1] - national executive director of the Australian Hotels Association from 1991 to June 2003 - then started management consultancy Capital Link - also served as director of the Tourism Council of Australia - ran strong, high-profile, and reportedly expensive campaign in 2004; rumored as a possible immediate leadership contender before he'd even entered parliament; immediately played down prospects - immediately promoted to Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations by Brendan Smyth - has anti-abortion views - as shadow IR minister, supported federal override of territory's industrial manslaughter law - supported WorkChoices, arguing that would simplify the agreement process for small businesses - staunchly economically conservative and pro-business - July 2005 - widely reported push for a spill, had the support of Vicki Dunne and Zed Seselja, but lacked a fourth vote and challenge did not eventuate - was again involved in another bout of instability in October, where the threat of crossing the floor to force a minor reshuffle in the wake of Mulcahy supporter Vicki Dunne's dumping from the ministry; more reporting of deadlocked party room - Feb 2006 - wealthy donor to own party, donating $55,627.06 to the party between November 2004 and January 2005 - Feb 2006 - another round of bloodletting as split really blows open, reports of clashes between groups, Mulcahy supporter Dunne sacked from shadow ministry for leaking to media, still reports that one vote (previously Pratt but no longer) - Feb 2006 - makes clear he wants top job, publicly calls for Dunne's reinstatement - strongly critical of govt's economic performance in leadup to 2006-07 budget; decision to seize control of estimates committee - 16 May 2006 - succeeds in installing Stefaniak as leader and him as deputy; Pratt and Burke outraged - June 2006 - strong critic of conttroversial 2006-07 budget; attacks Michael Costello's role in pre-budget review
Articles:
'Pratt, Dunne in battle for seats', David McLennan, 17 October 2004 'Some fresh talent, but the force is with Labor', Ben Doherty, Canberra Times, 18 October 2004 'New faces emerge in Assembly shake-up', Canberra Times, 18 October 2004 'Back room boy's success', Wayne Crawford, Hobart Mercury, 19 October 2004 'Mulcahy plays down leadership prospects', Scott Hannaford, Canberra Times, 23 October 2004 'Challenge welcome; Smyth wants to lead...', Lucy Gibson, Canberra Times, 24 October 2004 'First day at school for our new pollies', Scott Hannaford, Canberra Times, 29 October 2004 'Libs' new faces get top posts', Scott Hannaford, 6 November 2004 'Stand on abortion', Elicia Murray, Canberra Times, 15 November 2004 'Mulcahy: ready and raring to go", Canberra Times, 18 December 2004 'Richard Mulcahy', canberra Times, 18 December 2004 'Blow to industrial manslaughter law, Ben Doherty, 10 March 2005 'Lib leadership challenge tipped', Ben Doherty, 15 July 2005 'Dark horse may tumble aspirant', 17 July 2005 'Lib changes prove anti-climax', Canberra Times, 22 July 2005 'Liberal trio forces Smyth to shuffle jobs with threat to cross the floor' 'No strings needed when parties undo their own presence', Canberra Times, 29 October 2005 'Mulcahy donated $55,000 to his party', Canberra Times, 3 February 2006 'Dunne stripped of portfolios after row', Ben Dohery, Canberra Times, 10 February 2006 'Mulcahy criticises Dunne's sacking', Canberra Times, 14 Feb 2006 'Sackings on table as deficits blow out', Catherine Naylor, Canberra Times, 18 Feb 2006 'Govt lashed over estimates control', Markus Mannheim, Canberra Times, 5 May 2006 'Libs set to oust Smyth today', Markus Mannheim, 16 May 2006 'Politicalwannabe gets a leader role' Hobart Mercury, 17 May 2006 (good info on early career) 'The man who wrote the secret advice', Canberra Times, 17 June 2006/'Money-saving review cost ACT $350,000', Catherine Naylor, Canberra Times, 21 June 2006
