Michael Macklin

Dr Michael Macklin
Former Queensland Democrat senators: Michael Macklin (left) and John Cherry
Senator for Queensland
In office 1 July 1981 – 30 June 1990
Personal details
Born	(1943-02-25) 25 February 1943 (age 74) London, England
Nationality	English Australian
Political party	Australian Democrats
Alma mater	University of Queensland
Occupation	Retired
Religion	Roman Catholic

Michael John Macklin (born 25 February 1943 in London) is an English-born former Australian Franciscan friar, educator and fundraiser who was an Australian Democrats senator for Queensland (1981–1990). He later served as executive dean of the faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of New England (2002–2007).

Macklin migrated as a child with his family to Australia. He grew up in Ayr in northern Queensland and finished his schooling in Sydney. Having spent a number of years as a Franciscan friar, he commenced university studies in Brisbane, became a teacher, married Jennie in December 1970, and completed Master's and PhD degrees at the University of Queensland, where he lectured in Philosophy of Education for eight years.

Macklin was the founding member of the Australian Democrats in Queensland and led the party in that state from 1977 to 1980, when he was elected to the Senate "on the back of a huge drift of Liberal preferences".

He became the party’s first whip and was elected deputy leader under Janine Haines following the retirement of Don Chipp. From 24 March to 30 June 1990, he served as parliamentary leader after the resignation of Haines from the Senate to contest a House of Representative seat. He served on many parliamentary committees, including those having oversight of the National Crime Authority and ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation). He also introduced the largest number of private member's bills of any federal parliamentarian since federation.