Gordon Bilney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gordon Bilney
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Bilney in 1984
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Kingston |
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| In office 5 March 1983 – 2 March 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Grant Chapman |
| Succeeded by | Susan Jeanes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 June 1939 Renmark, South Australia |
| Died | 28 October 2012 (aged 73) Marino, South Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouses | Elizabeth Gunton (1967–1995) Sandra Colhoun (2002–2012) |
| Alma mater | University of Adelaide |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Profession | Dentist |
Gordon Neil Bilney (born 21 June 1939, died 28 October 2012) was an important Australian politician. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party. He served in the Australian House of Representatives for the area called Kingston. He was a representative from 1983 to 1996.
Contents
Gordon Bilney's Early Life and Career
Gordon Bilney was born in a town called Renmark in South Australia. Before he became a politician, he had two interesting jobs.
First, he trained to be a dentist. After that, he became a diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. They help keep good relationships between countries.
Gordon Bilney worked as a diplomat in different places. From 1975 to 1978, he was a senior representative for Australia at an international group called the OECD. Later, from 1980 to 1982, he was the High Commissioner for Australia in the West Indies. This meant he was Australia's top representative in countries like Jamaica.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Gordon Bilney was first chosen to be a member of Australia's federal parliament in 1983. This was during the 1983 federal election. In this election, the Labor Party, led by Bob Hawke, won against the government that was in power.
Bilney won the seat of Kingston. This area covers the southern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. He defeated the person who held the seat before him, Grant Chapman, who was from the Liberal Party.
People in Kingston voted for Gordon Bilney again and again. He was re-elected in the elections of 1984, 1987, 1990, and 1993. This shows that people in his area trusted him to represent them.
Serving as a Minister
From 1990 to 1996, Gordon Bilney became a minister in the Australian government. A minister is a senior member of the government who is in charge of a specific department or area. He worked under two Labor prime ministers, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.
First, from 1990 to 1993, he was the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel. This role involved looking after science related to defence and the people who work in the defence forces.
Then, from 1993 to 1996, he was the Minister for Development Cooperation and Pacific Island Affairs. In this job, he helped manage Australia's aid to other countries and worked with nations in the Pacific Islands.
Later Life
Gordon Bilney was defeated in the 1996 federal election. He lost his seat to Susan Jeanes, a candidate from the Liberal Party.
Gordon Bilney passed away on 28 October 2012. He was 73 years old.
