Matt Birney: Difference between revisions
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Birney was born in [[Sydney]] but comes from a family long established on the Western Australian goldfields, and has lived in the regional city of [[Kalgoorlie]] since childhood. His father, [[Jack Birney]] (1928-1995), was a Liberal member of the [[Australian House of Representatives]] (representing the Sydney electorate of Philip) from [[1975]] till his defeat in [[1983]]. |
Birney was born in [[Sydney]] but comes from a family long established on the Western Australian goldfields, and has lived in the regional city of [[Kalgoorlie]] since childhood. His father, [[Jack Birney]] (1928-1995), was a Liberal member of the [[Australian House of Representatives]] (representing the Sydney electorate of Philip) from [[1975]] till his defeat in [[1983]]. |
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The younger Birney was educated at North Kalgoorlie Primary and Eastern Goldfields Senior High School. He was a small business proprietor and a board member of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry, before being elected to the [[Western Australian Legislative Assembly]] for the seat of Kalgoorlie in February [[2001]]. He is the first Liberal ever to win [[Electoral district of Kalgoorlie|Kalgoorlie]], which for many years was held by the |
The younger Birney was educated at North Kalgoorlie Primary and Eastern Goldfields Senior High School. He was a small business proprietor and a board member of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry, before being elected to the [[Western Australian Legislative Assembly]] for the seat of Kalgoorlie in February [[2001]]. He is the first Liberal ever to win [[Electoral district of Kalgoorlie|Kalgoorlie]] defeating [[Megan Anwyl]], which for many years was held by the [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]. |
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Birney was Shadow Minister for Youth and for the Goldfields-Esperance region in [[2001]]-[[2002|02]], Shadow Minister for Police and Goldfields-Esperance and Communication Services [[2002]]-[[2004|04]] and Shadow Minister for Police, Commerce and Communications and Goldfields-Esperance [[2004]]-[[2005|05]]. |
Birney was Shadow Minister for Youth and for the Goldfields-Esperance region in [[2001]]-[[2002|02]], Shadow Minister for Police and Goldfields-Esperance and Communication Services [[2002]]-[[2004|04]] and Shadow Minister for Police, Commerce and Communications and Goldfields-Esperance [[2004]]-[[2005|05]]. |
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Revision as of 15:00, 31 October 2006
Matthew John "Matt" Birney (born 10 June 1969), Australian politician, a former leader of the Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia from 9 March 2005 until 24 March 2006.
Birney was born in Sydney but comes from a family long established on the Western Australian goldfields, and has lived in the regional city of Kalgoorlie since childhood. His father, Jack Birney (1928-1995), was a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives (representing the Sydney electorate of Philip) from 1975 till his defeat in 1983.
The younger Birney was educated at North Kalgoorlie Primary and Eastern Goldfields Senior High School. He was a small business proprietor and a board member of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry, before being elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Kalgoorlie in February 2001. He is the first Liberal ever to win Kalgoorlie defeating Megan Anwyl, which for many years was held by the Labor.
Birney was Shadow Minister for Youth and for the Goldfields-Esperance region in 2001-02, Shadow Minister for Police and Goldfields-Esperance and Communication Services 2002-04 and Shadow Minister for Police, Commerce and Communications and Goldfields-Esperance 2004-05.
Despite his relative lack of experience, Birney was widely seen as one of the Liberal Party's better performers in Opposition during the 2001-05 Parliament. When the Liberals under Colin Barnett were defeated at the 2005 elections by the Australian Labor Party government of Dr Geoffrey Gallop, Barnett resigned and Birney was elected unopposed as party Leader.
After becoming leader, Birney came under consistent criticism from both inside and outside his party. A number of public gaffes, including implying that the Pope had a partner and taking his girlfriend on a tax-payer funded tour of Europe, reduced his effectiveness as Opposition Leader. Within the party he was criticised for his lack of inclusiveness in policy formation. These problems led former deputy leader, Paul Omodei, to challenge Birney for the leadership. The party-room ballot held on 24 March 2006 was won by Omodei. Omodei stated he would consider offering Birney a position on the Liberal front bench, but Birney has remained on the back bench since the leadership change.