Ian Macfarlane (politician)

The Honourable Ian Macfarlane MP
Minister for Industry and Science
Incumbent
Assumed office 18 September 2013
Prime Minister	Tony Abbott
Preceded by	Kim Carr
Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources
In office 26 November 2001 – 3 December 2007
Prime Minister	John Howard
Preceded by	Nick Minchin
Succeeded by	Kim Carr Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Martin Ferguson Minister for Resources and Energy
Minister for Small Business
In office 30 January 2001 – 26 November 2001
Prime Minister	John Howard
Preceded by	Peter Reith
Succeeded by	Joe Hockey
Member of the Australian Parliament for Groom
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 October 1998
Preceded by	Bill Taylor
Personal details
Born	(1955-04-05) 5 April 1955 Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Liberal National Party
Spouse(s)	Karen
Children	Kate and Laura
Residence	Toowoomba, Queensland
Occupation	Farmer
Website	www.ianmacfarlanemp.com

Ian Elgin Macfarlane (born 5 April 1955) is an Australian politician. He was elected as a member of the Australian House of Representatives in October 1998, representing the Division of Groom, Queensland for the Liberal National Party. Macfarlane has been the Minister for Industry in the Abbott Government since 18 September 2013.^[1]

Background and career

He was born in Kingaroy, Queensland, and was a farmer and president of the Queensland Graingrowers Association before entering politics. He acquired the nickname "Chainsaw" from ABC rural reporter Judy Kennedy due to his raspy voice. He now attributes the moniker to his ability to "cut through red tape",^[2] and it was alluded to in his 1998 election campaign through the slogan "The Right Voice for Groom".

In an interview with Four Corners on 9 November 2009, Macfarlane said that his position on global warming had changed "a bit", since he had recognized a greater importance for mankind's contribution.^[3] Acting as Climate Change Spokesman for the Coalition in 2009, he spent 5 weeks in negotiations around a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme with Minister for Climate Change Penny Wong,^[4] before a leadership spill deposed party leader Malcolm Turnbull and replaced him with current leader Tony Abbott,^[5] and the policy was overturned.

As a minister in the Coalition Government under John Howard he held the portfolio of Minister for Small Business from January 2001, before being promoted to the Cabinet role of Industry, Tourism and Resources in November 2001.^[6] After the defeat of the Coalition in the 2007 federal election he served in the shadow portfolios of Trade as well as Infrustructure and Water, and was the Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources.^[7] With the election of the Abbott Coalition government in September 2013 he was appointed Minister for Industry. He was later sworn in as the Minister for Minister for Industry and Science on 23 December 2014.

References

Abbott Ministry (2013–) Prime Minister: Tony Abbott Cabinet Eric Abetz Kevin Andrews Bruce Billson Julie Bishop George Brandis Mathias Cormann Peter Dutton Joe Hockey Greg Hunt Barnaby Joyce Sussan Ley Ian Macfarlane Scott Morrison Christopher Pyne Andrew Robb Nigel Scullion Warren Truss Malcolm Turnbull Outer Ministry Simon Birmingham Jamie Briggs Michaelia Cash Mitch Fifield Josh Frydenberg Luke Hartsuyker Michael Keenan Fiona Nash Marise Payne Stuart Robert Michael Ronaldson Parliamentary Secretaries Karen Andrews Bob Baldwin Darren Chester Steven Ciobo Richard Colbeck Concetta Fierravanti-Wells Paul Fletcher Michael McCormack Kelly O'Dwyer Christian Porter Scott Ryan Alan Tudge Dismissed/resigned David Johnston Arthur Sinodinos