Tony Bourke (Australian politician)
| Tony Bourke | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Lockyer |
|
|
In office 16 October 1976 – 29 November 1980 |
|
| Preceded by | Gordon Chalk |
| Succeeded by | Tony FitzGerald |
| Mayor of Toowoomba | |
|
In office 1997–2000 |
|
| Preceded by | Ross Miller |
| Succeeded by | Di Thorley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Anthony James Bourke 30 July 1941 Nundah, Queensland, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Agnes McNamara (m.1970) |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Occupation | Pharmacist |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Anthony James (Tony) Bourke (born 30 July 1941) is an Australian politician. He was a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 1976 to 1980, representing the electorate of Lockyer. A long-term Toowoomba councillor, he later served as Mayor of Toowoomba from 1997 to 2000.
Bourke was born in the Brisbane suburb of Nundah, and was educated at St Patrick's College in Shorncliffe and the University of Queensland. A pharmacist outside politics, he worked in Brisbane from 1959 to 1966 and in London from 1966 to 1969, before settling in Toowoomba in 1970. He bought and operated a pharmacy in Margaret Street, and was elected as a City of Toowoomba alderman in 1976.
In 1976, Gordon Chalk, the state Liberal leader since 1965, retired from politics mid-term, causing a by-election in his seat of Lockyer. Bourke was selected as the Liberal candidate to succeed him, but faced a strong challenge from National Party candidate Neville Adermann, son of former federal minister Charles Adermann. The National Party, though in coalition with the Liberal Party, had long held claim to Lockyer, but were reluctant to oppose Chalk; on his retirement, they had nominated a candidate. The campaign was bitter and saw the National Party target the seat with significant resources, but Bourke won 40% of the primary vote and won the seat on preferences.
Bourke was re-elected at the 1977 state election, and served as secretary to the joint government parties from April 1979 until November 1980. Tensions between the two parties had grown towards the end of that term, and at the 1980 election, he faced another strong challenge from the National Party; he would go on to lose to their candidate, farmer Tony FitzGerald. Bourke had sold his pharmacy business upon his election to parliament, and worked as a real estate agent for Rogers and Joseph after his election defeat. He opened his own pharmacy again in 1984 in Bridge Street. He had remained an alderman through his time in state politics, and subsequently served as deputy mayor under Clive Berghofer for six years, leaving the council in 1988.
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