Ray Groom

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Hon. Ray Groom
Ray Groom

In office
17 February 1992 – 18 March 1996
Preceded by Michael Field
Succeeded by Tony Rundle
Constituency Denison

Born September 3, 1944 (1944-09-03) (age 63)
Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia
Nationality Flag of Australia Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia

Raymond John "Ray" Groom (born September 3, 1944) was an Australian Liberal Party politician and Premier of the Australian State of Tasmania from September 17, 1992 to March 18, 1996. He succeeded Michael Field to the position and was himself succeeded by Tony Rundle. He retired from parliament in 2002. Formerly a lawyer, and now in private practice, he is married to Gillian Crisp and they have four sons and two daughters.

After graduating as a barrister and solicitor from the University of Melbourne he practised for a period in the north-west Tasmanian town of Burnie.

He served in the second Fraser Ministry (under Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser) as Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development from December 1977 to December 1978 and then Minister for Housing and Construction until November 1980.

In 1975 he won the Australian House of Representatives seat of Braddon, and held the seat until 1984. His 1982 election result were significant in that as liberal candidate he outpolled a Labor opponent on the West Coast of Tasmania - the first time - due to the divisions in the community over the Franklin Dam issue [1]

In 1984 he had announced retirement from politics, however instead became senior advisor to Premier Robin Gray. In 1986 he re-entered politics as member of the Tasmanian parliament. In 1991 he became Leader of the Liberals defeating Gray - in opposition. Consequently he became Premier after the 1992 election and Gray resigned from politics [2]

He also played Australian rules football with the Melbourne Football Club from 1963-1968 in 92 games, kicking 36 goals. Won the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal as Melbourne's Best and Fairest player in 1968.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pink. Kerry (2001) Through Hells Gates: A History of Strahan and Macquarie Harbour Fifth edition ISBN 06463666653 p.84 for photo and p.85 text re poll results
  2. ^ Pink. Kerry (2001) Through Hells Gates: A History of Strahan and Macquarie Harbour Fifth edition ISBN 06463666653 . epilogue - p.89 and the washup after the Franklin Dam issues had effected state politics

[edit] External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Kevin Newman
Minister for Environment, Housing
and Community Development

1977 – 1978
Succeeded by
James Webster
Minister for Housing and Construction
1979 – 1980
Succeeded by
Tom McVeigh
Preceded by
Robin Gray
Opposition Leader of Tasmania
1991 - 1992
Succeeded by
Michael Field
Preceded by
Michael Field
Premier of Tasmania
1992 – 1996
Succeeded by
Tony Rundle
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Ron Davies
Member for Braddon
1975 – 1984
Succeeded by
Chris Miles