Barry MacKinnon

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.


Barry MacKinnon

Leader of the Opposition and
Leader of the Liberal Party
in Western Australia
In office
25 November 1986  12 May 1992
PremierBrian Burke
Peter Dowding
Carmen Lawrence
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
Perth, Western Australia
Political partyLiberal
Alma materUniversity of Western Australia

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 May 12 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. 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. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132379268?searchTerm=%22Richard%20Court%22%20Barry
  5. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132378695?searchTerm=Dean%20Brown%20Dale%20Baker
  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 by
Mike Board
Political offices
Preceded by
Peter Jones
Minister for Industrial Development and Commerce
1982–1983
Succeeded by
Mal Bryce
Preceded by
Peter Jones
Minister for Tourism
1982–1983
Succeeded by
Brian Burke
Preceded by
Peter Jones
Minister for Regional Administration
1982–1983
Succeeded by
Julian Grill
Preceded by
Peter Jones
Minister for the North-West
1982–1983
Succeeded by
Julian Grill
Party political offices
Preceded by
Bill Hassell
Leader of the Liberal Party (in WA)
1986–1992
Succeeded by
Richard Court
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