Lloyd O'Neil (politician) explained

Lloyd O'Neil
Constituency Mp:Grey
Parliament:Australian
Predecessor:Laurie Wallis
Successor:Barry Wakelin
Term Start:5 March 1983
Term End:8 February 1993
Birth Date:1937 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Port Pirie, South Australia
Nationality:Australian
Party:Labor
Occupation:Boilermaker

Lloyd Reginald Terrence O'Neil (born 24 June 1937) is an Australian former politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993, representing the South Australian seat of Grey for the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

Early life

O'Neil was born on 24 June 1937 in Port Pirie, South Australia. A boilermaker by profession, he became president of the Amalgamated Metal Workers and Shipwrights Union (AMWSU) and was a delegate to the Whyalla Trades and Labour Council.[1]

Politics

O'Neil was secretary of the ALP's Whyalla branch from 1970 to 1982. He worked as an electoral assistant to Grey MP Laurie Wallis, before succeeding him in federal parliament at the 1983 federal election.[1]

In January 1991, O'Neil announced his support for Paul Keating to succeed Bob Hawke as leader of the ALP and prime minister.[2] In May 1991, he supported Liberal MP Alasdair Webster's private member's bill that would ban the federal government from funding abortion, stating that abortions had resulted in a "deep disturbing trend of psychological harm and distress".[3]

In December 1991, O'Neil announced that he would retire from politics at the next federal election.[4] He is the most recent Labor representative for the Division of Grey, as the area has been held by the Liberal Party ever since.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Biography for O'NEIL, Lloyd Reginald Terrence . parlinfo.aph.gov.au . Australian Parliament House . 30 May 2018.
  2. News: Leadership debate flares as ALP centenary nears. The Canberra Times. 16 January 1991.
  3. News: Silence 'conspiracy'. The Canberra Times. 10 May 1991.
  4. News: Seat of Grey very marginal. Port Lincoln Times. 29 October 1992.
  5. http://www.aph.gov.au/library/handbook/historical/representatives/makin.price.htm Parliamentary Handbook: Historical Information on the Australian Parliament