Barry O'Rourke
Barry O'Rourke | |
|---|---|
 Barry O'Rourke, 2022 | |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Rockhampton | |
| In office 25 November 2017 – 26 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Byrne |
| Succeeded by | Donna Kirkland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 November 1963 Ayr, Queensland |
| Political party | Labor |
| Website | www |
Barry Leonard O'Rourke (born 17 November 1963[citation needed]) is an Australian politician. He served as the Labor member for Rockhampton in the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 2017 until his retirement in 2024.[1]
Career
[edit]Following the unexpected retirement of Labor MP Bill Byrne for health reasons, O'Rourke contested Labor preselection for Byrne's seat of Rockhampton.[2][3][4] His main opponent was Margaret Strelow, the mayor of Rockhampton, who was endorsed by the Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk.[5] On 27 October 2017, O'Rourke defeated Strelow, who subsequently announced she would contest the election as an independent.[6][7]
At the November state election, O'Rourke was elected to succeed Byrne as the member for Rockhampton. Strelow recorded 23.5% of the vote and was second on the initial count, but Liberal National preferences pushed the One Nation candidate ahead of her and O'Rourke was elected on Strelow's preferences.[8][9][10]
On 13 November 2023, O'Rourke announced his intention to retire from politics at the 2024 election, citing health issues.[11]
On 15 July 2024, During his weekly spot on local radio station 4RO, O'Rourke revealed he used the electoral roll to obtain addresses of people who leave negative comments on his Facebook page so he can visit them in person, which prompted accusations of intimidation from federal LNP MP Michelle Landry and One Nation's James Ashby.[12][13] However, Premier Steven Miles defended O'Rourke, describing it as "an entirely appropriate use of the electoral roll."[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Green, Antony. "Rockhampton". Queensland Election 2017. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Major twist in Rocky's Game of Thrones, The Morning Bulletin, 17 October 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Volger, Sarah Annastacia Palaszczuk's attempt to endorse Margaret Strelow for the seat of Rockhampton backfires, The Courier-Mail, 18 October 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Volger, Sarah Queensland politics: Labor preselection voting opens in Rockhampton, The Courier-Mail, 20 October 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Labor divided in Rocky path to Qld poll, SBS News, 13 October 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Votes counted: Premier congratulates Rocky's ALP candidate, The Morning Bulletin, 28 October 2017.
- ^ Bulloch, Shayla Meet Labor's new Rocky candidate, The Morning Bulletin, 28 October 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Akers, Trenton Queensland election results 2017 - Rockhampton mayor Margaret Strelow could win seat, The Courier-Mail, 27 November 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Electorate: Rockhampton, Queensland Votes, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Accessed 5 December 2017.
- ^ Election victor rookie lays out his plans for Rocky, The Morning Bulletin, 30 November 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Johnson, Hayden (13 November 2023). "Premier to lose another Labor MP at 2024 poll". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ Hines, Jasmine (16 July 2024). "Rockhampton MP Barry O'Rourke defends use of electoral roll to doorknock social media bullies". ABC News. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ McCormack, Madura (16 July 2024). "Rockhampton MP Barry O'Rourke uses electoral roll to track down and confront trolls as 'a bit of karma'". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ Pearce, Matthew (19 July 2024). "Premier has Barry's back". CQ Today. Retrieved 24 July 2024.