Barry O'Rourke
Barry O'Rourke | |
|---|---|
 Barry O'Rourke, 2022 | |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Rockhampton | |
| Assumed office 25 November 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Byrne |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 November 1963 Ayr, Queensland |
| Political party | Labor |
| Website | www |
Barry Leonard O'Rourke (born 17 November 1963) is an Australian politician. He has been the Labor member for Rockhampton in the Queensland Legislative Assembly since 2017.[1]
Career
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]
References
- ^ 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.