Terry Griffiths (politician)

The Honourable
Terry Griffiths
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Georges River
In office
22 February 1988  3 March 1995
Preceded by Frank Walker
Succeeded by Marie Ficarra
Personal details
Born 22 June 1944
Sydney
Died 18 June 2009 (aged 64)
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia (1988-1994)
Independent (1994-1995)
Spouse(s) Jann Mariette Hart
m. 1965, diss.
Diane von Westernhagen
m. 1974, diss. 2000
Children 1 (f), 1 (s) with Hart;
1 (f), 2 (s) with von Westernhagen
Occupation Army officer
Website Parliamentary webpage
Military service
Allegiance  Australia
Service/branch Australian Army
Years of service 19621982
Rank Major

Major Terence Allan "Terry" Griffiths (22 June 1944 18 June 2009), a former Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Georges River from 1988 to 1995 initially for the Liberal Party and then as an independent member. During his political career with the Liberal Party, Griffiths held a number of portfolios including Minister for Justice, Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services.

Early years and background

Griffiths was born in Marrickville, New South Wales; his father was Richard Patrick Griffiths, an Officer of the Cadet School Portsea. He was educated at Liverpool Boys High School and the School of Military Engineering in Portsea. By 1962 he was a commissioned army officer with the rank of Major, and was also Chief Executive of the New South Wales branch of the Scout Association. In 1965 he married Jann Mariette Hart, with whom he had two children. He served in South Vietnam 196970; he and his wife divorced, and he remarried Diane Maree von Westernhagen on 19 January 1974, with whom he had three children (they would be divorced in 2000). Griffiths was an army attache in Washington 197881. He joined the Liberal Party of Australia in 1987.[1]

Political career

In 1988, Griffiths was elected as the Liberal member for Georges River in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, defeating sitting Labor MP Frank Walker. He was re-elected easily in 1991 and became Minister for Justice, moving to the Police Ministry in 1992. In 1994, he was forced to resign from both the ministry and the Liberal Party over claims of sexual harassment.[2] He retired at the 1995 election.[3]

Honours and Awards

Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975
Vietnam Medal
Defence Force Service Medal with 1 Rosette for 20–24 years of service
National Medal for 15–24 years of service
Australian Defence Medal 2006

References

  1. Parliament of New South Wales (2008). "The Hon. Terence Allan Griffiths (1944 2009)". Former Members. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  2. "Oatley: NSW State election". Crikey. 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  3. Green, Antony (2010). "Contests for Georges River". NSW Election Database. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by
Frank Walker
Member for Georges River
19881995
Succeeded by
Marie Ficarra