Michael Hodgman
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William Michael Hodgman, QC (born 16 November 1938, Hobart), is a Tasmanian Liberal politician and member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for the electorate of Denison. He is the longest-serving current politician in Australia, with a parliamentary career spanning more than 40 years.
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 unsuccessful, but won the seat at his second attempt in 1975, and held the seat until 1987 when he was defeated by Duncan Kerr from the Australian Labor Party. 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 Hodgman returned to state politics in the lower house 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 retained his seat, at the expense of his colleague and leader Bob Cheek.
Hodgman is well known for his strong support for retaining Australia's Constitutional monarchy. He enjoys wide name-recognition in Hobart; mainly due to his long political career. His wife died in 2003. His son Will Hodgman is the current Leader of the Liberal Party in Tasmania.
He achieved further fame in 2007 when, during a speech, he rallied fellow party members to give 'the Labor party one right up the bracket'. On the popular Get This radio show, the team have a featured segment using the soundbite 'one right up the bracket', in which callers air their grievances.
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| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert Ellicott |
Minister for the Capital Territory 1980 – 1983 |
Succeeded by Tom Uren |
| Parliament of Australia | ||
| Preceded by John Coates |
Member for Denison 1975 – 1987 |
Succeeded by Duncan Kerr |
