Michael Hodgman
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The Hon. (William) Michael Hodgman, QC (born 16 November 1938, Hobart), is a Tasmanian Liberal politician and member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly in the electorate of Denison.
Hodgman first entered politics in 1966 as member for the Legislative Council seat of Huon. He held this position until 1974 when he stood down to run for the Federal electorate of Denison . He was successful and held this position from 1975 to 1987 until defeated by Duncan Kerr from the Labor party. He served as Minister for the Capital Territory and Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Commerce in the Malcolm Fraser Government from 1980 to 1983.
In 1992 he returned to state politics in the electorate of Denison which he held until defeated in 1998 when the size of parliament was reduced from 35 to 25 members. He regained the position in 2001 after a recount of votes due to the retirement of Ray Groom. In the 2002 state election he managed to retain his seat, at the expense of his colleague and leader Bob Cheek.
Mr Hodgman is well known for his strong support for retaining Australia's Constitutional monarchy. His wife died in 2003. Mr Hodgman enjoys wide name-recognition in Hobart; mainly due to his long political career.
He is the father of fellow Liberal parliamentarian Will Hodgman, the current Leader of the Liberal Party of Tasmania.