Joan Mary Sheldon (born 29 April 1943) is an Australian politician. She was a

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

member of the

Legislative Assembly of Queensland The Legislative Assembly of Queensland is the sole chamber of the unicameral Parliament of Queensland established under the Constitution of Queensland. Elections are held every four years and are done by full preferential voting. The Assembl ...

from 1990 to 2004, representing the electorates of Landsborough (1990–1992) and then Caloundra (1992–2004). She was the state Liberal leader from 1991 to 1998, and served as

Deputy Premier A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some countries, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, ...

in the Borbidge government from 1996 to 1998.

Early life

Sheldon was born in

Bundaberg Bundaberg is a city in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia, and is the tenth largest city in the state. Bundaberg's regional area has a population of 70,921, and is a major centre of the Wide Bay–Burnett geographical region. The Bun ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, and attended St Bernadette's Primary School and Soubirous College. She studied physiotherapy at the

University of Queensland , mottoeng = By means of knowledge and hard work , established = , endowment = A$224.3 million , budget = A$2.1 billion , type = Public research university , chancellor = Peter Varghese , vice_chancellor = Deborah Terry , city = B ...

and subsequently studied for a time at

Trinity College London Trinity College London (TCL) is an examination board based in London, United Kingdom, which offers graded and diploma qualifications (up to postgraduate level) across a range of disciplines in the performing arts and English language learning and ...

. Sheldon operated a physiotherapy practice in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

from 1978 to 1984, when she moved to Caloundra.

Politics

A long-time member of the Liberal Party, she contested and won preselection for the National-held seat of Landsborough upon the 1990 resignation of former Premier Mike Ahern. She won an upset victory after Labor declined to stand a candidate, winning a 15% swing in her favour. In November 1991, she defeated

Denver Beanland Denver Edward Beanland (born 26 January 1945) is a former politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and leader of the Queensland Liberal Party. Early life Denver Edward Beanland was born on ...

for the Liberal leadership, becoming the first female party leader in Queensland.

Leader of the Liberals (1991–98)

An ally of Liberal state president

Paul Everingham Paul Anthony Edward Everingham (born 4 February 1943) is a former Australian politician who was the head of government of the Northern Territory of Australia from 1977 to 1984, serving as the second and last Majority Leader (1977–1978) and ...

, she was seen as less hostile to the National Party than her predecessor. Sheldon led the party to a resounding defeat in the 1992 state election, losing a seat to Labor amidst high-profile tensions with the National Party. She supported proposals for a merger or coalition in the wake of the loss, and subsequently led the Liberal Party back into coalition with the National Party in November 1992, after nine years apart. She subsequently served as Shadow Treasurer under Borbidge in the lead-up to the 1995 state election, which resulted in a one-seat victory for Labor. The result was reversed in February 1996 when a court-ordered by-election resulted in a Liberal victory, and the Liberal-National Coalition gained office with the support of an independent. Sheldon was thus sworn in as Deputy Premier and Treasurer under Borbidge and became the first woman in Queensland to hold these roles. During the transition period of 19 to 26 February 1996, she held several ministries including Attorney-General. After the

Borbidge Ministry The Borbidge Ministry was a Ministry of the Government of Queensland, led by National Party Premier Rob Borbidge and his deputy, Liberal leader Joan Sheldon. It commenced on 19 February 1996 after the Goss Ministry, led by Premier Wayne Goss o ...

lost office after the 1998 election Sheldon stood down as Liberal leader, with former deputy David Watson succeeding her.

Post Leadership (1998–04)

She remained on the backbench until 1999 when she became Shadow Minister for The Arts, Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs which after June 2000 became Shadow Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations and The Arts. From when the Coalition agreement with the Nationals was reinstated in 1992 to her retirement from the assembly in February 2004, she served as Shadow Minister for Tourism and Shadow Minister for the Arts.

Post Politics

Sheldon was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2005 Australia Day Honours for "service to the Queensland Parliament, to support for a range of cultural organisations, and to issues affecting women".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheldon, Joan 1943 births Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Queensland Living people Deputy Premiers of Queensland Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly Treasurers of Queensland Attorneys-General of Queensland 21st-century Australian politicians Women members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly Members of the Order of Australia Women deputy opposition leaders 21st-century Australian women politicians