Tony Windsor

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Tony Windsor

Antony Harold Curties "Tony" Windsor (born 2 September 1950), Australian politician, has been an independent member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2001, representing the Division of New England, New South Wales. He was born in Quirindi, New South Wales, and was educated at the University of New England. He was a farmer before entering politics.

In May 1991, Windsor was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the independent Member for Tamworth. Windsor was originally the preferred candidate of The Nationals for this seat, though was replaced at the last moment due to allegations in regards to a drink-driving incident on the day of his pre-selection. He held this seat for ten years before resigning in September, 2001, to contest the federal seat of New England. He won the seat, and in doing so, defeated incumbent National Party MP Stuart St. Clair. The National Party and its predecessor, the Country Party, had held New England continuously since 1922.

In September 2004, Windsor claimed that he had been approached by a figure associated with the National Party with the offer of a diplomatic position in exchange for retiring from politics. He said that he would name those he claims are involved if forced at an inquiry. The Australian Electoral Commission referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police. In November, speaking under parliamentary privilege, Windsor said that National Party leader John Anderson and National Party Senator Sandy Macdonald had made through the offer through an intermediary, Tamworth businessman Greg McGuire. Anderson, MacDonald and McGuire denied the claims. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions found that there was no Prima facie case against the three men.