Russell Broadbent

Russell Evan Broadbent (born 25 December 1950) is an Australian politician who is a Liberal Party member of the House of Representatives, representing the Division of Monash (previously McMillan). He is one of the longest-serving current members of parliament, having served from 1990 to 1993, 1996 to 1998, and since 2004.

Russell Broadbent

MP
Broadbent in 2012
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Monash
Assumed office
18 May 2019
Preceded byDivision created
Member of the Australian Parliament
for McMillan
In office
9 October 2004 – 18 May 2019
Preceded byChristian Zahra
Succeeded byDivision abolished
In office
2 March 1996 – 3 October 1998
Preceded byBarry Cunningham
Succeeded byChristian Zahra
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Corinella
In office
24 March 1990 – 13 March 1993
Preceded byNew seat
Succeeded byAlan Griffin
Personal details
Born (1950-12-25) 25 December 1950
Koo Wee Rup, Victoria, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)Bronwyn
Children3
OccupationCompany director

Early life

Broadbent was a company director and self-employed retailer before entering politics.[1] He served on the Pakenham Shire Council from 1981 to 1987, including as shire president from 1984 to 1985. He also served as a commissioner of the Dandenong Valley Authority from 1984 to 1987 and as chairman of the Western Port Development Council from 1985 to 1990.[2]

Politics

Broadbent was an unsuccessful candidate for the Division of Streeton in the 1984 and 1987 federal elections. He first entered parliament for the marginal Division of Corinella in 1990, but lost to Labor's Alan Griffin in 1993. In 1996, he challenged Barry Cunningham in what was then the suburban-rural seat of McMillan, and won it after a very close race. He was defeated by Labor's Christian Zahra in 1998. Broadbent contested McMillan again in 2004 after a redistribution erased the Labor majority and made it notionally Liberal. He was re-elected on 24 November 2007, at the same time as the Coalition lost government, and has held the seat ever since. He supported changing the name of his electorate to commemorate John Monash rather than Angus McMillan.[3]

Political views

Broadbent has been identified as a member of the Liberal Party's moderate (or "small-l liberal") wing. During the Howard Government, he came to national prominence after siding with Liberal dissident Petro Georgiou in advocating better treatment of detainees.[4] He supports not charging long-term detainees for their detention.[5] Broadbent has said that global warming is "an issue for Australia and an issue for the world."[4] He is also an advocate for bike paths as a benefit to community health, transport and the environment.[4] He has expressed interest in improving funding for Landcare Australia.[5]

In December 2017, Broadbent was one of only four members of the House of Representatives to vote against the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, which legalised same-sex marriage in Australia.[6][7]

References
  1. Geoff, Strong (11 October 2004). "Three times lucky for seasoned campaigner". The Age. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  2. Mr Russell Broadbent MP
  3. Broadbent backs McMillan name change, 4 April 2016
  4. Kulich, William (29 January 2010). "Interview – Video> Liberal MP for McMillan Mr. Russell Broadbent Speaks to OCSN (29/1/2010)". One Cuckoo Short of a Nest. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  5. Kulich, William (13 August 2010). "Interview> Member for McMillan Mr Russell Broadbent: OCSN 2010 Election Coverage (13/8/2010)". One Cuckoo Short of a Nest. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  6. "Same-sex marriage bill passes House of Representatives after hundreds of hours of debate". ABC News. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  7. "House of Representatives Hansard THURSDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2017". Retrieved 8 December 2017.
Parliament of Australia
New division Member for Corinella
1990–1993		 Succeeded by
Alan Griffin
Preceded by
Barry Cunningham		 Member for McMillan
1996–1998		 Succeeded by
Christian Zahra
Preceded by
Christian Zahra		 Member for McMillan
2004–2019		 Division abolished
Division created Member for Monash
2019–present		 Incumbent
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