Anthony James Simpson (born 15 July 1965) is a former Australian politician who was a
Liberal Party member of the
Legislative Assembly of
Western Australia from 2005 to 2017. He served as a minister in the government of
Colin Barnett from March 2013 to September 2016. Simpson ran a bakery before entering politics.
Early life
Simpson was born in
Melbourne to Rita (née Bailey) and Charles Simpson. His family moved to
Wyndham, Western Australia, in 1970, and later to
Perth, where he attended CBC Leederville (now
Aranmore Catholic College
The Aranmore Catholic College is a co-educational school for ages 7-12, located in Leederville in Perth, Western Australia.
History
The College was founded in 1903 by the Sisters of Mercy and was originally known as Arranmore, a name ta ...
). After leaving school, Simpson worked in the family bakery, and later opened his own business in
Byford. He served on the
Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire Council from 2001 to 2005.
[Anthony (Tony) James Simpson](_blank)
Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
Politics
Simpson entered parliament at the
2005 state election, winning the newly created
seat of Serpentine-Jarrahdale with 51.2 percent of the
two-party-preferred vote. He was included in the
shadow ministry of
Matt Birney immediately after being elected, and subsequently served as a shadow minister under three more
leaders of the opposition
Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets view ...
–
Paul Omodei,
Troy Buswell, and Colin Barnett. At the
2008 state election, Simpson transferred to the
seat of Darling Range, where the sitting member,
John Day, had himself transferred to the
seat of Kalamunda.
[Hon. Anthony (Tony) James Simpson MLA](_blank)
Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
After the 2008 election, Simpson was made a
parliamentary secretary in
the new ministry formed by Colin Barnett. He served in that position until July 2011, when he was instead made
government whip. After the
2013 election, Simpson was made
Minister for Local Government,
Minister for Community Services
Minister may refer to:
* Minister (Christianity), a Christian cleric
** Minister (Catholic Church)
* Minister (government), a member of government who heads a ministry (government department)
** Minister without portfolio, a member of government w ...
,
Minister for Seniors and Volunteering, and
Minister for Youth.
He resigned from the ministry in September 2016, citing a lack of support for the government and Colin Barnett's leadership of the Liberal Party.
"WA Liberal leadership: Minister Tony Simpson resigns over loss of faith in Premier Colin Barnett"
ABC News, 17 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
See also
* Barnett Ministry
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Tony
1965 births
Living people
Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia
Politicians from Melbourne
21st-century Australian politicians
Western Australian local councillors