Vaughan Johnson (politician) explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Vaughan Johnson
Office:Queensland Government Chief Whip
Term Start:3 April 2012
Term End:31 January 2015
Premier:Campbell Newman
Predecessor:Margaret Keech
Successor:Mick de Brenni
Office1:Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services
Term Start1:29 January 2008
Term End1:29 November 2010
Leader1:Lawrence Springborg
John-Paul Langbroek
Predecessor1:Rob Messenger
Successor1:Glen Elmes
Term Start2:9 February 2003
Term End2:21 September 2006
Leader2:Lawrence Springborg
Predecessor2:Jeff Seeney
Successor2:Rob Messenger
Office3:Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Small Business and Industry and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships
Term Start3:17 September 2007
Term End3:29 January 2008
Leader3:Jeff Seeney
Predecessor3:Fiona Simpson (Small Business)
Successor3:Rob Messenger
Office4:Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads
Term Start4:21 September 2006
Term End4:17 September 2007
Leader4:Jeff Seeney
Predecessor4:Michael Caltabiano
Successor4:Fiona Simpson
Term Start5:2 July 1998
Term End5:8 March 2004
Leader5:Rob Borbidge
Mike Horan
Lawrence Springborg
Predecessor5:Jim Elder
Successor5:Fiona Simpson
Term Start6:2 August 1995
Term End6:19 February 1996
Leader6:Rob Borbidge
Successor6:Jim Elder
Office7:Deputy Leader of the Opposition of Queensland
Deputy Leader of the Queensland National Party
Term Start7:2 March 2001
Term End7:4 February 2003
Leader7:Mike Horan
Predecessor7:Lawrence Springborg
Successor7:Jeff Seeney
Office8:Minister for Transport and Main Roads of Queensland
Term Start8:26 February 1996
Term End8:26 June 1998
Premier8:Rob Borbidge
Predecessor8:Jim Elder
Successor8:Steve Bredhauer
Office9:Member of the Queensland Parliament for Gregory
Term Start9:2 December 1989
Term End9:31 January 2015
Predecessor9:Bill Glasson
Successor9:Lachlan Millar
Birth Date:1947 7, df=y
Birth Place:Bourke, New South Wales, Australia
Party:Liberal National Party (2008–2023)
Otherparty:National Party (1970–2008)
Occupation:Grazier
Spouse:Robin Anne Balchin
Children:3

Vaughan Gregory Johnson (20 July 1947 – 22 January 2023) was an Australian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1989 to 2015.

Early life

Born in Bourke, New South Wales, he was a grazier and contractor before entering politics.

Political career

Having moved to Queensland, he was a councillor on Quilpie Shire Council from 1970 to 1973. From 1972 to 1973, he was Chairman of the Quilpie Branch of the National Party.

In 1989, Johnson was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland as the National Party member for Gregory. He followed the Queensland Nationals into the Liberal National Party in 2008, and held the seat until his retirement in 2015.

Government Minister (1996–98)

After Rob Borbidge became Premier, Johnson was made Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

Opposition frontbencher (1998–2010)

Following the heavy coalition defeat at the 2001 election he was elected Deputy National Leader, a position he held until Lawrence Springborg replaced Mike Horan as leader in 2003.

Johnson held many shadow cabinet positions between 1998 and 2010 including Shadow Minister for Sport and the Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections.[1]

Johnson was removed from the frontbench by LNP leader John-Paul Langbroek in November 2010,[2] however he returned as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Western Queensland after Langbroek was replaced by Campbell Newman.

Johnson was appointed Government Chief Whip following the LNP victory at the 2012 election.

In October 2014, Johnson announced that he would retire from the Queensland Parliament at the next election. The Premier of Queensland, Campbell Newman, praised his contribution to Queensland, saying "Vaughan will forever be known as the bloke who fought tooth and nail for the farmers and graziers, truck drivers, small business owners and everyone in between right across Western Queensland."[3]

Controversies

In 2014 on Fairfax Radio, Johnson stated "I'm not against Asian people, don't get me wrong – but a lot of those Asian people come from an environment where they have no comprehension of road rules in their own country". Johnson issued a letter later that day apologising for his remarks, adding "I wanted to convey that all drivers in Queensland must take care on the roads".[4]

Personal life and death

Johnson was married with three children.

Johnson died suddenly in the early hours of 22 January 2023, at the age of 75.[5]

Awards and honours

In 2020 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours list.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vaughan Gregory Johnson . Parliamentary Library of Queensland . 8 February 2022.
  2. News: Veteran MP Johnson 'gutted' by LNP dumping . 8 February 2022 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 29 November 2010.
  3. Web site: Premier recognises Vaughan Johnson's service to Queensland - the Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory.
  4. News: Asian drivers don't know road rules, says LNP MP Vaughan Johnson. The Guardian. 28 August 2014. Australian Associated Press.
  5. News: Gall . Sally . Vaughan Johnson, former Member for Gregory, passes away suddenly . 22 January 2023 . Queensland Countrylife . 22 January 2023.
  6. News: Gall . Sally . OAM for Vaughan Johnson in Australia Day honours . 8 February 2022 . Queensland Countrylife . 26 January 2020.