David Hawker
| In office 16 November 2004 – 17 October 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Neil Andrew |
| Succeeded by | Harry Jenkins |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Wannon | |
| In office 7 May 1983 – 19 July 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Malcolm Fraser |
| Succeeded by | Dan Tehan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 May 1949 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Relations | Charles Hawker (cousin) George Charles Hawker (great-grandfather) |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
| Occupation | Farmer and grazier |
| Website | DavidHawker.com.au |
David Peter Maxwell Hawker
Hawker served as the 25th Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2004 to 2007.
Early life
Hawker was born in Adelaide on 1 May 1949, the son of Pamela Gavin and David Hawker. His father, a grazier, was a grandson of colonial MP George Charles Hawker and cousin of federal MP Charles Hawker.[1]
Hawker's family moved to
Career
After Fraser announced his retirement from politics amid the Coalition's heavy defeat in the 1983 federal election, Hawker won the seat in a May 1983 by-election. Hawker was a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry 1990–93, a Deputy Opposition Whip 1989–90 and 1994, and Chief Opposition Whip 1994–96.
On 15 November 2004 Hawker was chosen by the Parliamentary Liberal Party as its candidate for the position of
Hawker announced in June 2009 that he would retire from parliament at the 2010 federal election.[3]
Speaker
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As speaker from 2004 to 2007, Hawker was the subject of some controversy.
Early dissent
Some of Hawker's rulings, from motions put by the
Questions over impartiality
A 2006 ruling made by Hawker after an incident during a heated exchange in the House brought further motions of dissent from the Opposition, and drew criticism of the Speaker's impartiality from the media.
After a motion regarding share trading was moved by Kelvin Thomson, the Member for Wills, on 25 May 2006, Leader of the House Tony Abbott referred to Thomson indirectly using unparliamentary language by moving the motion "that that snivelling grub be no longer heard".[4] The Deputy Chair at the time, Peter Lindsay, did not make comment against to the withdrawal Abbott made using the words "if I have offended grubs, I withdraw unconditionally". Later, the Speaker assumed the Chair, but it was only after the Opposition attempted to move a dissent motion that Abbott withdrew "unconditionally any imputation or offensive words against the member for Wills".[5]
When Manager of Opposition Business Julia Gillard however attempted to mimic exactly the exchange of 25 May by moving the motion "that that snivelling grub over there be not further heard"[6] against Abbott on a health legislation amendment, and then stating that "If I have offended grubs, I withdraw unconditionally", the Speaker asked Gillard to withdraw "without reservation". Gillard responded that "in accordance with your ruling yesterday, I have withdrawn effectively", but the Speaker then said that "I have no option...but to name the member", and subsequently by motion from Abbott, Gillard was removed from the House for 24 hours.
The Opposition had earlier asked questions to the Speaker about the apparent impartiality of the latter ruling,[7] but criticism of the decision reached the media, with the Speaker defending the decision made referring to Abbott's later unconditional withdrawal.[8] Under standing order 94A, the Speaker can throw members out of the parliament without a verbal warning for one hour. This rule has frequently been used to expel disruptive opposition members from the parliament. During the Question Time debate over the government's controversial Industrial Relations reforms some eleven Labor members were thrown out in one day.[9]
Honours
On 11 June 2012, he was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for "distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, to public administration and monetary policy reform, and to the community through local government, health and sporting organisations."[10]
References
- ^ a b c Parker, Clare (2021). "Hawker, David Peter (1949–)". Biographical Dictionary of the House of Representatives.
- ^ "Salvete 1968", Fleur-de-lys [Trinity College], 1968, p. 57.
- ^ Long-serving Liberal member for Wannon to quit: The Age 1/6/2009
- ^ "Share trading". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 25 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
- ^ "Share trading". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 25 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
- ^ "Health Legislation Amendment (Private Health Insurance) Bill 2006". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
- ^ "Questions to the Speaker". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
- ^ "Speaker stands by Gillard suspension". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 28 July 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
- ^ "Parliament debates IR and terrorism legislation". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 November 2005. Archived from the original on 6 November 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
- ^ "Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia – The Queen's Birthday 2012 Honours Lists" (PDF). Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia. 11 June 2012. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2012.