David MacGibbon facts for kids

David John MacGibbon (born on May 13, 1934) is an Australian politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party. He served as a Senator for Queensland from 1978 to 1999. This means he was elected to represent the state of Queensland in Australia's parliament for many years.

MacGibbon was born in Brisbane, Queensland. He spent his childhood growing up in Maryborough. He married Pamela Beak in 1958. They had four children together.

Who is a Politician?

A politician is a person who works in government. They are chosen by citizens to represent them. Their job is to make decisions and create laws. These laws help run the country or a state. Politicians often belong to a political party.

What is a Political Party?

A political party is a group of people. They share similar ideas about how a country should be run. In Australia, major parties include the Liberal Party and the Labor Party. People join parties to work together. They aim to get their members elected to parliament.

The Liberal Party of Australia

The Liberal Party is one of Australia's two main political parties. It is often seen as a centre-right party. This means it generally supports policies like lower taxes and less government involvement in businesses. David MacGibbon was a member of this party.

What is the Australian Senate?

The Australian Senate is part of Australia's parliament. It is often called the "upper house." The Senate has 76 members, called Senators. Each state and territory has a certain number of Senators. They are elected to represent their area.

What Does a Senator Do?

Senators play a very important role. They review laws that come from the "lower house," called the House of Representatives. They can suggest changes to these laws. Senators also represent the interests of their state or territory. They make sure all parts of Australia have a voice in parliament.

Representing Queensland

David MacGibbon was a Senator for Queensland. Queensland is a large state in Australia. As a Senator, he worked to bring Queensland's concerns to the national parliament. This included issues important to people living in Brisbane and Maryborough.

Early Life and Family

David MacGibbon was born in Brisbane. Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland. He later moved to Maryborough. Maryborough is a historic city on the Mary River. Growing up in these places likely shaped his views.

Family Life

David MacGibbon married Pamela Beak in 1958. They built a family together. They had four children. Family life is often a strong foundation for public figures.

David MacGibbon's Time in Parliament

David MacGibbon served as a Senator for 21 years. He was first elected in 1978. He continued to serve until 1999. This was a long period of public service. During his time, he would have seen many changes in Australia.

Key Roles and Contributions

During his years as a Senator, MacGibbon would have been involved in many debates. He would have voted on new laws. Senators also sit on committees. These committees study specific issues in detail. They help parliament make informed decisions.

What is Public Service?

Public service means working for the good of the community. Politicians like David MacGibbon dedicate their careers to this. They aim to improve the lives of citizens. This can involve many different areas, from the economy to education.

Life After Politics

After leaving the Senate in 1999, politicians often continue to contribute. They might join boards or write books. They might also simply enjoy retirement. David MacGibbon's long career in politics ended after more than two decades.