Stuart Copeland, National Party Member of State Parliament has for seven years represented Cunningham, the rambling electorate that starts at Drayton and Toowoomba’s southern suburbs, and takes in everything from Wyreema, Greenmount East and Pilton west to Cecil Plains, Millmerran and Bringalily South, and further west still.
Copeland has been a diligent well-liked MP. He is presently Shadow Minister for Education, also for the Arts, and Leader of Opposition business in the House
Before entering Parliament he was CEO of the Queensland Royal Agricultural Society. His wife is Rae, daughter Oriel and son Jonty.
Stuart and his family have just collided jointly with the State electorate redistribution and with the Liberal National Party’s “Grandfather Rule”. Cunningham will soon no longer exist under redistribution and “The Rule” prohibits Stuart from standing for another electorate unless someone stands aside for him. Not very likely. !
Nor is the possibility that anyone in the new Borg Army, ie the new Liberal National Party, will find a safe seat for him. Where, when, and who?
That’s politics – tough stuff!
So, just what IS the “Grandfather Rule” - a full explanation will be given in a future column, not far off. I reckon we all stick up for Copeland.
Toowoomba and Darling Downs political and social commentary. Print copies of this newsletter may be ordered from Toowoomba's Office Works, phone 4699-5300
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Hugh Bingham
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About Hugh Bingham
Bingham is a career journalist with experience in State and Federal politics. He has been Editor of the Sunday Truth, the Sydney Sunday Mirror, Associate Editor of the Sydney Daily Mirror, and has reported overseas for The Australian.
In retirement he turned farmer in the Felton Valley, near Toowoomba, breeding Appaloosas and winning best foal and filly at the 1992 State championships.
Now 80, Bingham takes a keen interest in current affairs, especially politics and social issues. Bingham has tutored U3A groups as diverse as poetry, memoir writing, and classical music.
In retirement he turned farmer in the Felton Valley, near Toowoomba, breeding Appaloosas and winning best foal and filly at the 1992 State championships.
Now 80, Bingham takes a keen interest in current affairs, especially politics and social issues. Bingham has tutored U3A groups as diverse as poetry, memoir writing, and classical music.
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