Barry Wakelin
Barry Wakelin | |
|---|---|
| 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 | 7 May 1946 Kimba, South Australia |
| 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.