Michael Hodgman QC, has been made a Member of the Order of Australia for his parliamentary working spanning 44 years in both State and Federal politics. As one of the most prominent and dedicated constitutional monarchists in the nation, and a superb advocate, Mr. Hodgman was until his retirement convener for ACM in the Tasmanian Parliament. He told the ABC he did not seek the recognition but he is deeply honoured to receive it.
"I'd like to think that I'm receiving it because I've worked hard to look after the ordinary people to look after the battlers and to stand up on national causes involving great moral values, such as East Timor," he said.
…MP since 1966…
Mr. Hodgman is a former member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council, the Tasmanian House of Assembly and the Australian House of Representatives. He was first elected in 1966 as member for the Tasmanian Legislative Council seat of Huon. In 1975 he was elected to the Federal electorate of Denison, a seat he held until 1987. He served as Minister for the Capital Territory and Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Commerce in the Fraser government from 1980 to 1983.
In 1992 he was elected to the state electorate of Denison, which he held until his retirement except fot he period 1998 to 2001.
…principle before ambition…
As Senator David Bushby said in the Senate (25/2), Michael Hodgman has been a champion of many causes. “He was resolute about the Indonesian presence in East Timor to the detriment of his own career advancement in the Fraser government during the late 1970s,“ he added.
“He was one of the first politicians to speak out vehemently against apartheid when many others were conveniently looking the other way. He fought for the Huon naval base in Hobart, the retention of the historic Anglesea Barracks, the establishment of the Antarctic Division headquarters in Kingston, south of Hobart, and the CSIRO moving to Hobart.”
“He was proud to be Minister for the Capital Territory and in that role to be involved in the construction of this building and working closely with the chairman of the Parliament House Construction Authority….
“He was a ferocious fighter for what he believed in such as… states’ rights, East Timorese freedom and immigration. He is known for his pressure to speed up the development of Hobart’s Southern Outlet, lobbying for Hobart’s second bridge, railing against the Soviet Union and above all fighting for the battlers.”
…most loyal of Her Majesty's subjects…
Mr. Hodgman has been absolutely loyal to his Oath of Allegiance, not a popular position to take in many circles. He has contributed enormously to the fight to retain our constitutional system, a fight he will no doubt continue to wage.
Australians all are indebted to Michale Hodgman QC AM.