Michael Sutherland
| Michael Sutherland | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Legislative Assembly | |
|
In office 11 April 2013 – 11 March 2017 |
|
| Preceded by | Grant Woodhams |
| Succeeded by | Peter Watson |
| Member of the Western Australian Parliament for Mount Lawley |
|
|
In office 6 November 2008 – 11 March 2017 |
|
| Preceded by | Constituency re-established |
| Succeeded by | Simon Millman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
23 October 1954 Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Other political affiliations |
United Party Progressive Federal Party |
| Alma mater |
University of the Witwatersrand University of South Africa University of Sydney |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Michael William Sutherland (born 23 October 1954) is an Australian politician who was the Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. He was a Liberal member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from September 2008 to March 2017, representing the electorate of Mount Lawley. Before state politics, Michael was a City of Perth Councillor from 1995 to 2009 and served as deputy mayor for five years. Sutherland retired from the City of Perth Council in early 2009. Between 1982 and 1987 Michael served as a Johannesburg city councillor.
Sutherland was born to William and Alice Sutherland in Johannesburg, South Africa. Michael’s parents met whilst his father was serving as a Warrant Officer in the South African Army in Egypt during the Second World War. His father was of Scottish ancestry, whilst his mother belonged to the Lebanese Christian community. His mother later married William and migrated to South Africa.
Sutherland describes his upbringing as cosmopolitan. His mother spoke French, Arabic, English and some Italian and Greek, and he grew in a city of diverse nationalities, religions and backgrounds.
After matriculating from The Hill High School where he was head boy, Michael undertook national service in the South African army, and then proceeded to complete a Bachelor of Arts at the Witwatersrand University, where he majored in history and international relations. He commenced teaching in 1977 for a period of five years. Whilst teaching, he studied as an external student at the University of South Africa, graduating with a teacher’s diploma and law degree. He was admitted as a solicitor and notary public in South Africa in 1983.
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