ABOUT

Mike was a high school teacher for many years and in 1994, as a 34-year old, he nominated, and was elected, as a Councillor on the Latrobe Council.  He served four years as a Councillor, four years as Deputy Mayor and at the age of 42 commenced 12 years as Mayor of Latrobe whilst still teaching. In 2006 Mike was elected as the President of Local Government of Tasmania for a two-year term and was also re-elected unopposed.  In this capacity Mike was a Director of the Australian Local Government Association.

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In 2020, Mike tabled and progressed the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill, through the State Parliament. 

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The new 2021 Act came into operation in October 2022.  It is not often that private member bills originate in the Upper House, especially one which had failed 3 times previously in the House of Assembly.

It was a remarkable journey as Mike only had one full time member of staff and the Act was 181 pages - a significant piece of legislation.  The Bill received unanimous support in the Upper House;  a world first for the VAD/Euthanasia laws.

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In 2021 Mike was awarded the Rodney Syme Medal by Dying with Dignity Victoria.  The award is given in recognition of a distinguished effort by an individual/s in pursuit of the Dying with Dignity cause. 

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At the 2022 World Federation of Right to Die Societies Conference held in Toronto, Canada, Mike was 1 of 10 people in the Australia / New Zealand region to receive recognition for his work on the End-of-Life-Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill.

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Mike was also invited as a guest speaker, to the September 2024 World Federation of Right to Die Societies Conference (Dublin, Ireland) where he spoke about the Tasmanian Journey.

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Mike has been a successful athlete and has represented Tasmania in baseball, touch football, basketball, volleyball, athletics and football. He has won 12 professional gifts (including 2 Latrobe gifts) and played senior TFL football with Hobart and New Norfolk.

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Mike was the playing coach of Latrobe in the Northern Tasmania Football League 1989 / 90 and played over 300 games of North West Senior basketball.

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Mike maintains his interest in sporting activities and still competes on the National Masters stage in touch football, athletics and AFL Football.   He also competed in the 2015 Masters 55+ and was selected in the All-Australian team.

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Career

Mike joined the Tasmanian Education Department in 1979 on a 4 year studentship.  Originally a Health and Physical Education teacher and then as an AST3 (Senior Teacher), Mike became heavily involved with behaviour management in schools both with the Barrington District Support Team and as a Senior Education Officer and the State-wide Behaviour Support Team.

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Mike has taught at the following schools: Murray High School, Bridgewater High School, Latrobe High School AST 3, Beverley Boys School London (Commonwealth Teachers Exchange), Devonport High School (Assistant Principal), Reece High School AST 3, Barrington District Support Service, Statewide Behaviour Support Team (SEO).

 

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​Politics - Local Government

Mike nominated for Latrobe Council in 1994. After serving as a Councillor for 4 years and Deputy Mayor for 4 years, Mike was elected as Mayor in 2003. He was re-elected as Mayor in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 (all unopposed).

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He stepped down from the role in 2014, due to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2013; Members were no longer able to hold ‘dual roles’ (in Local and State Government).

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Politics - State Government (Legislative Council / Upper House)

First Elected 2 May 2009

Re-Elected 2 May 2015

Re-Elected 1 May 2021 (unopposed)

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Education

Bachelor of Education (Tasmanian University)

Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Emotional Disturbances and Behavioural Disorders (Newcastle University)

Diploma of Teaching, Certificate 1V in Assessors Training (Recognition Services)

Certificate 1V in Assessors Training (Recognition Services)

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Personal

Born in Devonport Tasmania on 30 November 1959.

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Mike married Mel in 1991 and they taught in London for a year in 1993. He now lives in Latrobe “Urquhart Keep” (Bank of Australasia, circa 1876) and enjoys travel, antiques, theatre, reading and community events.