James Bidgood (Australian politician)

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James Mark Bidgood, Australian politician, is member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Dawson, in north Queensland, representing the Australian Labor Party. He was elected at the November 2007 federal election, defeating the sitting Nationals member, De-Anne Kelly. He gained one of the biggest swings in the election, winning Dawson for Labor for the first time since 1974.

Bidgood was born in the United Kingdom and grew up in the East End of London. He has an Open University honours degree in social science majoring in politics and economics. He was a member of the British Labour Party before coming to Australia as a backpacker in 1991 and settling in Mackay. Before his election he was a Councillor on the Mackay City Council and was Financial Director of Caneland Medical Centre in Mackay. When he attended his first Caucus meeting in Canberra on 29 November, it was first time he had ever been to the national capital.

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
De-Anne Kelly
Member for Dawson
2007 – present
Incumbent