Ian Armstrong (politician)

Ian Morton Armstrong, AM OBE (born 17 July 1937) is a former Deputy Premier of New South Wales.^[1]

Early life

Armstrong attended Newington College (1949–1953).^[2]

Parliamentary career

Armstrong was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Lachlan from 19 September 1981 to March 2007. He was Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs from 1988 to 1993. From 1993 until 1995, he was Deputy Premier of New South Wales as well as Minister for Ports and Minister for Public Works.

Armstrong was set to lead the Nationals at the March 1999 state election but was ousted by his deputy George Souris just two months beforehand in January 1999. It was the second part of leadership changes from the Coalition as Armstrong's ousting came a month after Peter Collins was deposed as Liberal leader by Kerry Chikarovski.

His seat of Lachlan was abolished for the 2007 state election. The abolition of Lachlan prompted Armstrong's retirement at the 2007 election because if he had wanted to remain in Parliament he would have to find another seat and there was no incentive for Armstrong to remain in Parliament with the abolition of Lachlan.

Honours

In 1978, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) in recognition of his service to primary industry and was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for his service to the New South Wales Parliament and to international trade. In the Queen's Birthday Honours 2009 Armstrong was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Parliament of New South Wales, to the agricultural and livestock sectors, and to the community.^[3]

References