Michael Wooldridge
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The Honourable Dr Michael Wooldridge |
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Chisholm |
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In office 11 July 1987 – 3 October 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Helen Mayer |
| Succeeded by | Anna Burke |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Casey |
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In office 3 October 1998 – 8 October 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Bob Halverson |
| Succeeded by | Tony Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 November 1956 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Relations | Mary Wooldridge (sister) |
| Alma mater | Monash University |
Michael Richard Lewis Wooldridge (born 7 November 1956) is an Australian doctor, company director, and a former politician. He was a Member of the Australian House of Representatives for the Liberal Party representing the Division of Chisholm, Victoria, between 1987 and 1998, and representing the Division of Casey, Victoria, between 1998 and 2001. He was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party from March 1993 to May 1994.
Wooldridge attended Scotch College, Melbourne before attending Monash University's medical school, from where he graduated in 1981.
During his time in Opposition he was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and therefore the Deputy Leader of the Opposition from March 1993 to May 1994. In May 1994, Liberal Leader John Hewson called a spill for both the leader's and deputy's positions. Hewson lost to Alexander Downer while Wooldridge withdrew at the last minute as it became clear he did not have the numbers to beat Downer's running mate Peter Costello.
Wooldridge's demise as deputy leader came as a result of an opinion poll that showed only 4% of voters preferred him as Liberal leader despite Wooldridge himself stating he had no desire to become leader. In response to this poll, Wooldridge argued on The 7.30 Report that 4% was a good result for a deputy leader as the deputy leader was not meant to be an alternative leader. Ironically, the man who would replace Wooldridge as deputy leader, Peter Costello, not only did not succeed in his ambitions to become leader but also became the party's longest-serving deputy leader.
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