Barry Wakelin

Barry Wakelin
OAM
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Grey
In office
13 March 1993  17 October 2007
Preceded by Lloyd O'Neil
Succeeded by Rowan Ramsey
Personal details
Born (1946-05-07) 7 May 1946
Kimba, South Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Occupation Farmer, businessman

Barry Hugh Wakelin OAM (born 7 May 1946), is an Australian politician, was a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1993 until November 2007, representing the Division of Grey, South Australia. He was born in Kimba, South Australia, and was a farmer and small businessman before entering politics. In 1993, he stood as the Liberal candidate in Grey, historically one of the few country seats where Labor consistently did well, and became only the fifth non-Labor member ever to win it. While Wakelin's win was and still is considered an upset, the election came at a very bad time for Labor in South Australia. The incumbent state Labor government was still reeling from the collapse of the State Bank of South Australia, and would be heavily defeated at the state election held later in 1993.

In 1996, Wakelin became the first non-Labor member in 53 years to be reelected to Grey. He picked up a large swing of over six percent, turning Grey into a safe Liberal seat in one stroke. He held it without difficulty until his retirement in 2007.

He is also father of popular Ten News reporter James Wakelin and father-in-law of Ten News presenter Rebecca Morse.

External links

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Lloyd O'Neil
Member for Grey
1993–2007
Succeeded by
Rowan Ramsey
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