Garth Hamilton
Garth Russell Hamilton (born 5 March 1979)[1] is an Australian politician who is a member of the House of Representatives representing the Division of Groom. He was elected in the 2020 Groom by-election, following the retirement of John McVeigh.[2] He is a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland (LNP) and sits with the Liberal Party in federal parliament.
Garth Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Groom | |
| Assumed office 28 November 2020 | |
| Preceded by | John McVeigh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 March 1979 Southport, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal (LNP) |
| Spouse(s) | Louise |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Occupation | Engineer |
Early life and career
Hamilton grew up in South East Queensland and his father was a concreter.[3]
Hamilton attended Ipswich Grammar School before studying engineering at the University of Queensland.[3] He is an engineer who has worked around the world on various large infrastructure projects. Prior to his election, Hamilton worked in the mining industry.[4]
He previously served as a campaign manager for state MP Trevor Watts and wrote opinion columns for Spectator Australia.[2]
Politics
John McVeigh, the member for Groom, resigned from federal politics in September 2020 to care for his wife, who was battling major health issues.[5] The resignation triggered a preselection contest between 7 candidates to contest the safe LNP seat. The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison had wanted a woman to be preselected, and the Queensland Resources Council had backed both Toowoomba councillor Rebecca Vonhoff and Sara Hales who were both considered front runners.[6]
Hamilton won the preselection for the seat in October 2020. Suggestions were made that this was indicative of a "woman problem" in the party, however the Government Services Minister, Stuart Robert responded that the preselection was the choice of the members of the local branch, and that anyone was able to join the party and thereby vote for the preselection.[7]
During the by-election in November 2020, Hamilton defeated three other candidates and was elected with a -3% swing. He was sworn in in the House of Representatives on 3 December 2020.
Political positions
Hamilton is a member of the National Right faction of the Liberal Party.[8]
Hamilton has expressed a number of positions as an opinion columnist for The Spectator.
In one article that was removed by the Spectator after Hamilton's preselection, he argued that many of the problems that exist in the Aboriginal community, including incarceration rates, could be helped if the fathers were more present in the lives of the children.[9]
Personal life
As of 2020, Hamilton lives in Toowoomba with his wife Louise and three children, Adeline, Everard and Claude.[2][4]
References
- "Mr Garth Hamilton MP". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- Robinson, Lucy (29 November 2020). "Garth Hamilton elected new Member for Groom for the LNP at by-election". ABC News. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- "About Garth". Liberal National Party. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- "About Garth". Garth Hamilton MP. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- "Federal LNP MP John McVeigh resigns from Toowoomba electorate". www.abc.net.au. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- "They had the backing of the PM and the mining lobby, but LNP preselectors chose a man instead". www.abc.net.au. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- Bradfield, Elly (19 November 2020). "Groom preselection goes to Garth Hamilton despite strong backing for Rebecca Vonhoff, Sara Hales". ABC News. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- Massola, James (20 March 2021). "Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "LNP candidate Garth Hamilton's article on "absent fathers" disappears". OUTInPerth | LGBTQIA+ News and Culture. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2021.