Michael James Horan, AM (born 1 July 1944) is a former

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal A ...

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking ...

who represented the seat of Toowoomba South in 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 18 May 1991 to 24 March 2012. Originally he was a member of the

National Party of Australia The National Party of Australia, also known as The Nationals or The Nats, is an List of political parties in Australia, Australian political party. Traditionally representing graziers, farmers, and regional voters generally, it began as the Au ...

, but follow its merger he is now a member of the

Liberal National Party of Queensland The Liberal National Party of Queensland (LNP) is a major political party in Queensland, Australia. It was formed in 2008 by a merger of the Queensland divisions of the Liberal Party and the National Party. At a federal level and in most other ...

until his retirement.

Early life

Prior to entering parliament, Horan was employed as the General Manager of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland and General Manager of the Toowoomba Greyhound Racing Club.

Political career

Horan entered politics at the 1991 Toowoomba South by-election. He replaced property developer and

Toowoomba Toowoomba ( , nicknamed 'The Garden City' and 'T-Bar') is a city in the Toowoomba Region of the Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia. It is west of Queensland's capital city Brisbane by road. The urban population of Toowoomba as of the 2021 ...

Mayor Clive Berghofer, who had previously held the seat for the National Party until the state's electoral laws were amended to prevent simultaneous service in state parliamentary and local government authority positions.

Government Minister (1996–98)

Horan served as Health Minister in the

Borbidge Government The Borbidge Ministry was a The Ministry, Ministry of the Government of Queensland, led by National Party of Australia – Queensland, National Party Premier Rob Borbidge and his deputy, Liberal Party of Australia (Queensland Division), Liberal l ...

1996–98, and as Deputy Nationals leader between 1998 and 1999.

Opposition Leader (2001–03)

Horan was made leader of the National Party and Opposition on 2 March 2001 until after Rob Borbidge's retirement from politics. He defeated his successor as deputy leader

Lawrence Springborg Lawrence James Springborg (born 17 February 1968) is an Australian politician. He led the National Party in the Queensland Parliament from 2003 to 2006 and again in 2008, before becoming the first leader of the merged Liberal National Party ...

by 6 votes to 5 with Borbidge not voting. He was replaced as leader by Springborg on 4 February 2003 after he failed to gain ground on Peter Beattie. Horan became the first leader of his party who did not become Premier since Ted Maher (served 1936-41 when the party was then called the Country Party).

Post Leadership (2003–12)

He became a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland in 2008 and served in the Queensland Parliament as Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for Justice and Racing, Shadow Minister for Open Government between 30 September 2008 and 5 April 2009. On 6 April 2009, he was appointed to the position of Opposition Whip. Horan stood down at the 2012 state election.

Personal life

Horan captained the Australian Universities rugby union team, and played for the

Parramatta Eels The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta that competes in the National Rugby League. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, and their ...

rugby league team in Sydney from 1968 to 1970, before moving to

Gympie Gympie ( ) is a city and a locality in the Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia. In the Wide Bay-Burnett District, Gympie is about north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city lies on the Mary River, which floods Gympie occasionally. The ...

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 , establishe ...

to run a dairy farm. Horan is married with two sons and a daughter. His son,

Tim Horan Tim Horan AM (born 18 May 1970) is a former Australian rugby union footballer. He played for the Queensland Reds in the Super 12, and represented Australia. He was one of the best centres in the world throughout the 1990s due to his attacking ...

, is a former Australian rugby union footballer.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Horan, Mike 1944 births Living people National Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Queensland Liberal National Party of Queensland politicians Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly Members of the Order of Australia People from Toowoomba Leaders of the Opposition in Queensland Australian sportsperson-politicians 21st-century Australian politicians