Michael MacKellar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael MacKellar
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| Minister for Home Affairs and the Environment | |
| In office 17 February 1981 – 19 March 1981 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Fraser |
| Preceded by | Robert Ellicott |
| Succeeded by | Ian Wilson |
| Minister for Health | |
| In office 8 December 1979 – 20 April 1982 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Fraser |
| Preceded by | Ralph Hunt |
| Succeeded by | Peter Baume |
| Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs | |
| In office 22 December 1975 – 8 December 1979 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Fraser |
| Preceded by | Tony Street |
| Succeeded by | Ian Macphee |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Warringah |
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| In office 25 October 1969 – 18 February 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Edward St John |
| Succeeded by | Tony Abbott |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michael John Randal MacKellar
27 October 1938 Moree, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 9 May 2015 (aged 76) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney, University of Oxford |
| Occupation | Agricultural scientist |
Michael John Randal MacKellar (27 October 1938 – 9 May 2015) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party. He served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1994. He represented the area called Division of Warringah.
Michael MacKellar held important jobs in the government. He was the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs from 1975 to 1979. He also served as the Minister for Health from 1979 to 1982. These roles were part of the government led by Malcolm Fraser.
Contents
Life and Political Career
Early Life and Education
Michael MacKellar was born in Moree, New South Wales, Australia. He went to the Sydney Church of England Grammar School. Later, he studied at the University of Sydney and University of Oxford.
Before becoming a politician, he was an agricultural scientist. He worked for the New South Wales Department of Agriculture. He also taught at the University of Sydney and New South Wales.
Starting in Politics
Michael MacKellar was first elected to Parliament in 1969. He took over the seat from Edward St. John. In June 1974, he joined the group of politicians who were not in power, called the Shadow Cabinet. He became the Shadow Immigration Minister.
Serving in Government (1975–1983)
In December 1975, Michael MacKellar became a minister. He was appointed the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. He held this job until 1979.
After that, he became the Minister for Health. He also helped the Prime Minister with special tasks.
In 1982, a situation happened involving some paperwork for a television set. Michael MacKellar, along with another minister, took responsibility for this error. They both decided to resign from their minister roles.
Time in Opposition (1983–1994)
After the government lost the election in 1983, Michael MacKellar returned to the Shadow Cabinet. He was the Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister. Later, he became the Shadow Science Minister.
He left Parliament on 18 February 1994. This led to a special election for his seat. Tony Abbott, who later became Prime Minister, won this election.
After Leaving Politics
After his time in politics, Michael MacKellar continued to work in important roles. In 1998, he became the Chairman of the Australia New Zealand Food Authority. This group helps make sure food is safe.
He also worked as the Chief Operations Officer for the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. He was also the Chief Executive Officer of the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association. Michael MacKellar served as the president of the National Ageing Research Institute in Melbourne.
Personal Life
Michael MacKellar had three children. One of his daughters, Maggie, was featured on an ABC TV show called Australian Story.
He passed away on 9 May 2015, at 76 years old. A special state funeral was held for him on 15 May 2015. It took place at St John's Anglican Church in Toorak, Victoria.
