Kevin Newman (Australian politician)

Kevin Eugene Newman AO (10 October 1933 – 17 July 1999) was an Australian soldier and politician. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Australian Army, serving in Malaysia and the Vietnam War. [ [http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/VeteranDetails.aspx?VeteranId=1259314 Vietnam War Nominal Roll] ]

Newman entered political life through the Bass Tasmania by-election in 1975 where he was the Liberal Party of Australia candidate. With the election of the Malcolm Fraser government in December 1975, Newman was appointed Minister of Repatriation in the second Fraser Ministry. In July 1976, he became Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development when Ivor Greenwood became ill. He was responsible for environment issues when the decision was taken to cease sand mining on world heritage listed Fraser Island.

In December 1978, Newman was appointed Minister of National Development in the third Fraser Ministry. In December 1979 he was appointed Minister for Productivity and in November 1880 he was appointed Minister of Administrative Services in the fourth Fraser Ministry, a position he retained until the defeat of the government in the 1983 election. He retired from the Australian House of Representatives on 26 October 1984.

In retirement Newman was appointed President of the National Trust Tasmania, a member of the board of the Menzies Foundation and a director of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach, Queensland. Newman was the Chairman of the Old Parliament House Governing Council from 1997 to 1999. He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 1994. [ [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=872480&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] - Officer of the Order of Australia]

Newman was married to former Senator the Hon Jocelyn Newman, former Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women. They had two children: Kate and Campbell. Kevin Newman's son Campbell Newman is the Lord Mayor of Brisbane. He died in 1999.

References