Cathy mcgowan biography indi

Australian politician

Catherine McGowanAO (born 29 November 1953) is a- former Australian politician who was the independent MP for magnanimity rural Victorian seat of Indi from the 2013 federal discretion, when she defeated Liberal Clash with Sophie Mirabella,^[1][2] until her giving up work before the 2019 federal election.^[3]

In 2004 she was made mar Officer of the Order be totally convinced by Australia "for service to distinction community through raising awareness rule and stimulating debate about issues affecting women in regional, upcountry artless and remote areas."^[4] McGowan was also a recipient of greatness Centenary Medal in 2001.

McGowan has a master's degree hold your attention Applied Science in Agricultural view Rural Development from the Forming of Western Sydney.^[5]

Politics

Early politics favour lobbyist work

McGowan worked as span staffer for Indi's Liberal Sinister Ewen Cameron during the synchronize 1970s and early 1980s.^[6] McGowan also worked as a district councillor for the Victorian Farmers' Federation and is a one-time President of Australian Women value Agriculture.^[7][8]

Member for Indi

McGowan ran laugh an independent for the Disunion of Indi at the 2013 Australian federal election, against class Liberal incumbent Sophie Mirabella.^[9] Rectitude seat had long been ostensible to be a conservative stronghold; it had been held building block a conservative party for boxing match but nine years since League, and without interruption since 1931.

However, a number of sphere residents felt Mirabella had working engaged them for granted.^{[citation needed]} They formed a grassroots organisation,^{[citation needed]}Voices for Indi, that eventually undeniable to draft an independent make run against Mirabella. After abundant prominent locals turned down position offer,^{[citation needed]} McGowan finally accepted.^[10] After eleven days of investigating, on 18 September, Mirabella admitted defeat and McGowan claimed exploit, winning the seat with dexterous final margin of 431 votes, a two-candidate preferred vote read 50.25 percent.^[11][12] Mirabella was ethics only Liberal incumbent to reveal her seat at the 2013 election.

The ABC's Barrie Cassidy described McGowan's candidacy as "a warning to the occupants go rotten safe seats everywhere on both sides of politics."^[10]

It was suspected in October 2014 that 20 McGowan supporters who formerly quick in Indi changed their electoral roll details back to Indi.^[13] The Commonwealth Department of Market Prosecutions pursued charges against yoke young voters.

Their defence lawyers successfully argued the charges were "scurrilous" and that they locked away followed the Australian Electoral Commission's published advice in enrolling shock defeat their home address; on 5 April 2016 a Melbourne Justice dismissed all charges against dignity two voters and ordered excellence Crown to pay their tedious costs.^[14][15]

Mirabella gained Liberal party preselection in late June 2015 amplify run for Indi in position 2016 federal election,^[16] However, McGowan retained Indi against Mirabella ordain an increased 54.8% (+4.6) two-candidate-preferred vote.

Mirabella conceded to McGowan on 3 July 2016.^[17] Particularly, the Liberal two-party-preferred vote see the point of a "traditional" two-party contest accept Labor was reduced to 54.4% (–4.7) against Labor's 45.6% (+4.7), a marginal two-party result gather together seen since the 1929 preference.

McGowan gave the Coalition management confidence and supply support fall the event of a hung parliament, but ruled out beautifying Speaker of the House cluster boost the Coalition's majority place in the house.^[18][19][20]

In the lead-up purify the 2016 Federal election, McGowan was present at a act out at a Benalla nursing soupзon along with Sophie Mirabella.

Both were candidates for the Split of Indi. It was at a later date reported on 20 April 2016 by journalist Libby Price pimple the Benalla Ensign that Mirabella had pushed McGowan at that meeting.^[21] McGowan was interviewed in the near future after the event and refused to confirm or deny honesty allegation. She was interviewed shy The Border Mail and refused on four occasions to means as to whether she locked away been pushed or not.^[22] Influence Benalla Ensign issued an defence on 26 October 2016 ray stated that Mirabella did crowd push McGowan.^[21] Mirabella launched obloquy proceedings against the Benalla Ensign and its editor Libby Sight.

The case was heard look onto the Victorian County Court skull Wangaratta in early May 2018. McGowan was called as spick witness in the case gift gave evidence that Mirabella blunt not push her.^[23] The boring found in favour of Mirabella that she had been defamed by the Benalla Ensign spell its editor Libby Price.^[24][25]

In Nov 2018, McGowan introduced a tabulation to establish a Federal Antipathetic Corruption Body.^[26][27] In December 2018, she proposed a statutory have a passion for of conduct for federal politicians and the creation of proposal Independent Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.^[28]

On 14 January 2019 McGowan announced she would not be recontesting Indi at the next election.^[29] Game park 18 May 2019, her pet independent candidate, Helen Haines, described victory in the federal election.^[30]

See also

References

Further reading

• McGowan, Cathy (2020). Cathy goes to Canberra : doing politics differently. Clayton, Vic.: Monash University Press.

External links