The Honourable
Barry MacKinnon
AM
Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Party
In office
25 November 1986 – 12 May 1992
PremierBrian Burke
Peter Dowding
Carmen Lawrence
DeputyIan Laurance
Richard Court
Preceded byBill Hassell
Succeeded byRichard Court
Member of the Legislative Assembly
of Western Australia
In office
19 February 1977 – 4 February 1989
Preceded byNone (new seat)
Succeeded byNone (seat abolished)
ConstituencyMurdoch
In office
4 February 1989 – 6 February 1993
Preceded byNone (new seat)
Succeeded byMike Board
ConstituencyJandakot
Personal details
Born (1944-10-29) 29 October 1944 (age 79)
Perth, Western Australia
Political partyLiberal
Alma materUniversity of Western Australia

Barry John MacKinnon AM (born 29 October 1944) is a former Australian politician who was a Liberal Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1977 to 1993. He was the state leader of the Liberal Party (and thus Leader of the Opposition) from 1986 to 1992, although he led the party at only one election (in 1989). MacKinnon had earlier served as a minister in the governments of Sir Charles Court and Ray O'Connor. He worked as an accountant before entering politics, and since leaving parliament has involved himself in various community organisations.

Early life

MacKinnon was born in Perth to Beryl (née Mounsey) and Keith MacKinnon, his father being a builder.[1] His uncle, Graham MacKinnon, was a government minister and long-serving Liberal member of the WA Legislative Council, and the two served together in parliament from 1977 to 1986.[2] MacKinnon was raised in Bridgetown (a small town in the South West), and attended Bridgetown High School before going to Perth to board at Wesley College. He later went on to the University of Western Australia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics and a diploma in accounting. Before entering politics, MacKinnon worked as an accountant. He began as a clerk with Bushells (a tea company), and subsequently spent several years with a Perth-based firm before starting his own business.[1]

Political career

MacKinnon was elected to the seat of Murdoch in 1977. He switched to the seat of Jandakot in 1989 when Murdoch was abolished. He represented Jandakot until he retired at the 1993 state election.

MacKinnon became Leader of the Opposition in February 1986, replacing Bill Hassell. He served as a shadow to three Labor premiers - Brian Burke, Peter Dowding and Carmen Lawrence - over six years. His replacement, Richard Court, became Premier after only nine months as Opposition Leader.[3] Court ousted MacKinnon in a leadership coup by a vote of 20 to 12.[4]

MacKinnon's leadership came to an end on 12 May 1992 just a day after that of his South Australian Liberal counterpart Dale Baker.[5]

Honours

In 1997 MacKinnon was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to people with hearing impairments. He also received a Centenary Medal in 2001.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b Barry John MacKinnon, Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  2. ^ Graham Charles MacKinnon, Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Leaders of the Opposition from 1905" (PDF). Parliamentary Library Western Australia. Parliament of Western Australia. p. 2. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  4. ^ "Libs lob new leader on cynical public - the WA Opposition has replaced Barry MacKinnon with Richard Court. John McGlue reports from Perth. - the Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) - 14 May 1992".
  5. ^ "Dean Brown surprise new leader of SA Libs - the Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) - 12 May 1992".
  6. ^ "Member of the Order of Australia (AM) entry for MACKINNON, Barry John". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 1997. Retrieved 5 November 2012. AM. For service to people with hearing impairment through the Disability Services Commission, the Speech and Hearing Centre for Deaf Children and the Deafness Council of Western Australia. GAZ S13. Aust Day 1997
  7. ^ "Centenary Medal entry for MACKINNON, Barry John". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
Parliament of Western Australia New seat Member for Murdoch 1977–1989 Abolished New seat Member for Jandakot 1989–1993 Succeeded byMike Board Political offices Preceded byPeter Jones Minister for Industrial Development and Commerce 1982–1983 Succeeded byMal Bryce Preceded byPeter Jones Minister for Tourism 1982–1983 Succeeded byBrian Burke Preceded byPeter Jones Minister for Regional Administration 1982–1983 Succeeded byJulian Grill Preceded byPeter Jones Minister for the North-West 1982–1983 Succeeded byJulian Grill Party political offices Preceded byBill Hassell Leader of the Liberal Party (in WA) 1986–1992 Succeeded byRichard Court
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