Charles Rappolt

Charles Rappolt
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Mulgrave
In office
13 June 1998  4 November 1998
Preceded by Naomi Wilson
Succeeded by Warren Pitt
Personal details
Born Charles Robert Rappolt
23 August 1939
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Died 2 August 1999 (aged 59)
Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality Australian
Political party Pauline Hanson's One Nation
Spouse(s) Sandra Higgins
Occupation Commercial pilot, Mining industry

Charles Robert "Charlie" Rappolt (23 August 1939 2 August 1999) was an Australian politician. A member of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, Rappolt spent five turbulent months in the Parliament of Queensland in 1998.[1]

A native of Cairns, Rappolt held a variety of jobs before he entered politics. He served in the Citizens' Military Force from 1957 until 1961. In 1961 he began working as an agent for his brother, described by One Nation leader Bill Feldman as a musician "of some renown". From 1974 to 1978 he ran his own building company, and was a licensed environmental auditor in Queensland and Victoria. During his time as an environmental auditor, Rappolt became interested in mining, and he soon became a mine manager, prospector and financier. He was also a commercial pilot, flying aeroplanes and helicopters for a time. Another interest of Rappolt's was football (soccer), and he volunteered as a coach and referee at junior level.

On 13 June 1998, Rappolt was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, running on the One Nation ticket for the Electoral district of Mulgrave. His parliamentary career lasted a little over four months, and he suffered constant media attacks after the revelation that his partner, Sandra Higgins, had taken out a domestic violence order against him. On 4 November, Rappolt resigned, citing the combined pressures of political life, ill health, and the Queensland press. The resulting by-election was won by ALP candidate Warren Pitt, who had earlier held the then-marginal seat from 1989 until 1995.

Less than a week after his resignation, Rappolt attempted suicide and was hospitalised with severe depression. After his recovery he sought A$295 000 in damages from the Queensland government, arguing that his stint in Parliament had left him a psychotic manic depressive. He moved to New Zealand in 1999, in an attempt to flee the pressure of public life in Queensland. He was found dead in his home in Auckland, on 2 August 1999, apparently after having hanged himself. At a condolence motion in the Queensland Assembly, One Nation leader Bill Feldman launched a blistering attack on the Courier Mail, claiming that the newspaper was responsible for Rappolt's suicide attempts.

Rappolt was survived by his partner Sandra Higgins, and three children.

References

  1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by
Naomi Wilson
Member for Mulgrave
1998
Succeeded by
Warren Pitt