Michael Ronaldson

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Michael John Clyde Ronaldson is an Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 2005, representing the state of Victoria.

Ronaldson was born on 13 February 1954 in Ballarat, Victoria. He was educated at Ballarat College, Ballarat before attending Melbourne University, where he graduated in law. He was a barrister and solicitor before entering politics. He was a member of the Ballarat City Council 1981-1987.

A member of the Liberal Party since 1980, Ronaldson was elected to the House of Representatives for the seat of Ballarat in 1990. His grandfather, Archibald Fisken, was the member for Ballarat from 1934 until 1937 [1]. He was a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry from 1993 to 1996, being at various times Shadow Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, and Shadow Minister for Schools, Vocational Education and Training.

When the Howard government was elected in 1996 Ronaldson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Development. After the 1998 election he left the ministry and was appointed Chief Government Whip.

At the 2001 election Ronaldson retired from the House, and was reported to be in poor health. At the 2004 election, however, he was chosen to head the Liberal Senate ticket in Victoria, displacing Senator Tsebin Tchen, who was seen as a supporter of the former Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett.[1]

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Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
John Mildren
Member for Ballarat
1990 – 2001
Succeeded by
Catherine King