Mike Horan
Encyclopedia
Michael James "Mike" Horan (born 1 July 1944 in Brisbane, Queensland
) is an Australian politician
representing the seat of Toowoomba South
in the Queensland Legislative Assembly
since 18 May 1991. He was the Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries and now serves as Opposition Whip. Originally he represented the National Party of Australia
, however he is now a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland.
Mayor Clive Berghofer
, who had previously held the seat for the National Party until the state's electoral laws were amended to prevent simultaneous service in state parliamentary and local government authority positions.
Horan was made leader of the National Party
and Opposition from 2 March 2001 until 4 February 2003 after Rob Borbidge's retirement from politics. He was replaced as leader by Lawrence Springborg
after he failed to gain ground on Peter Beattie.
He became a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland in 2008 and served in the Queensland Parliament as Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for Justice and Racing, Shadow Minister for Open Government between 30 September 2008 and 5 April 2009. On 6 April 2009, he was appointed to the position of Opposition Whip.
rugby league team in Sydney from 1968 to 1970, before moving to Gympie
, Queensland
to run a dairy farm.
Horan is married with two sons and a daughter. His son, Tim Horan
, is a former Australian rugby union footballer.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
) is an Australian politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
representing the seat of Toowoomba South
Electoral district of Toowoomba South
The district of Toowoomba South is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland. It was created with the 1972 redistribution, and replaced the abolished Toowoomba East....
in the Queensland Legislative Assembly
Queensland Legislative Assembly
The Queensland Legislative Assembly is the unicameral chamber of the Parliament of Queensland. Elections are held approximately once every three years. Voting is by the Optional Preferential Voting form of the Alternative Vote system...
since 18 May 1991. He was the Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries and now serves as Opposition Whip. Originally he represented the National Party of Australia
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
, however he is now a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland.
Political career
Horan entered politics at the 1991 by-election. He replaced property developer and ToowoombaToowoomba, Queensland
Toowoomba is a city in Southern Queensland, Australia. It is located west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. With an estimated district population of 128,600, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city and its largest non-capital inland city...
Mayor Clive Berghofer
Clive Berghofer
Clive John Berghofer is an Australian property developer, politician and philanthropist.Berghofer was an alderman on Toowoomba City Council from 1973 to 1982, serving as Toowoomba's 61st Mayor from 1982 to 1992. He was National Party MLA for Toowoomba South...
, who had previously held the seat for the National Party until the state's electoral laws were amended to prevent simultaneous service in state parliamentary and local government authority positions.
Horan was made leader of the National Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
and Opposition from 2 March 2001 until 4 February 2003 after Rob Borbidge's retirement from politics. He was replaced as leader by Lawrence Springborg
Lawrence Springborg
Lawrence James Springborg is an Australian politician and became Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Queensland since 2 April 2009. He was deputy leader of the new Liberal National Party...
after he failed to gain ground on Peter Beattie.
He became a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland in 2008 and served in the Queensland Parliament as Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for Justice and Racing, Shadow Minister for Open Government between 30 September 2008 and 5 April 2009. On 6 April 2009, he was appointed to the position of Opposition Whip.
Prior to parliament
Prior to entering parliament, Horan was employed as the General Manager of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland and General Manager of the Toowoomba Greyhound Racing Club.Personal life
Horan captained the Australian Universities rugby union team, and played for the Parramatta EelsParramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
rugby league team in Sydney from 1968 to 1970, before moving to Gympie
Gympie
Gympie may refer to:* Gympie, a city in Queensland, Australia** Gympie Airport** Electoral district of Gympie** Gympie Region, its local government authority* Gympie Gympie , a stinging plant...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
to run a dairy farm.
Horan is married with two sons and a daughter. His son, Tim Horan
Tim Horan
Tim Horan AM is a former Australian rugby union footballer. He played for the Queensland Reds in the Super 12, and represented Australia, he was one of the best centres in the world throughout the 1990s due to his attacking prowess, formidable defence and playmaking ability.As well as inside...
, is a former Australian rugby union footballer.