Michael McCormack (Australian politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael McCormack
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McCormack in 2018
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| Deputy Prime Minister of Australia | |
| In office 26 February 2018 – 22 June 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull Scott Morrison |
| Preceded by | Barnaby Joyce |
| Succeeded by | Barnaby Joyce |
| Leader of the National Party | |
| In office 26 February 2018 – 21 June 2021 |
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| Deputy | Bridget McKenzie David Littleproud |
| Preceded by | Barnaby Joyce |
| Succeeded by | Barnaby Joyce |
| Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Infrastructure & Transport (Feb. 2018 – Aug. 2018) |
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| In office 26 February 2018 – 22 June 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull Scott Morrison |
| Preceded by | Barnaby Joyce |
| Succeeded by | Barnaby Joyce |
| Minister for Veterans' Affairs & Minister for Defence Personnel |
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| In office 20 December 2017 – 5 March 2018 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull |
| Preceded by | Dan Tehan |
| Succeeded by | Darren Chester |
| Minister for Small Business | |
| In office 19 July 2016 – 20 December 2017 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull |
| Preceded by | Kelly O'Dwyer |
| Succeeded by | Craig Laundy (as Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation) |
| Assistant Minister for Defence | |
| In office 18 February 2016 – 19 July 2016 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull |
| Preceded by | Darren Chester |
| Succeeded by | David Fawcett (2018) |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Riverina |
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| Assumed office 21 August 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Kay Hull |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michael Francis McCormack
2 August 1964 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | National |
| Other political affiliations |
Coalition |
| Spouse |
Catherine McCormack
(m. 1986) |
| Children | 3 |
Michael Francis McCormack (born 2 August 1964) is an Australian politician. He served as the 18th Deputy Prime Minister of Australia from 2018 to 2021. During this time, he worked with Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison. He was also a minister for important areas like infrastructure and transport. Before becoming a politician, Mr. McCormack was a newspaper editor. He has been a member of the Australian Parliament, representing the Riverina area in New South Wales, since 2010.
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Growing Up and Early Career
Michael McCormack was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. He was one of five children. He grew up on family farms near Marrar and Brucedale. He went to St Michael's Regional High School and Trinity Senior High School. These schools later became Kildare Catholic College.
After finishing school, McCormack started working at The Daily Advertiser. This was his local daily newspaper. By 1991, at age 27, he became the editor of the paper. He was known as one of the youngest newspaper editors in Australia. Later, he started his own media company called MSS Media Services and Solutions.
Political Journey
Before becoming an MP, McCormack helped with election campaigns. He worked for Kay Hull, who was the Nationals MP for Riverina. He helped her in the 2004 and 2007 federal elections. When Kay Hull decided to retire in 2010, McCormack was chosen to run for her seat. He won the election and became a member of the Australian Parliament.
Serving as a Minister
After the Coalition won the 2013 election, McCormack started taking on more important roles. He became a parliamentary secretary, helping the Minister for Finance. In 2015, he became an Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister. In 2016, he was made Assistant Minister for Defence.
In July 2016, McCormack became the Minister for Small Business. In this role, he was in charge of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS helps collect information about Australia, like during the 2016 national census. In December 2017, he became the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. This role involved looking after people who had served in the military and their families. He also became the Minister for Defence Personnel.
Becoming Deputy Prime Minister
In February 2018, the previous leader of the National Party, Barnaby Joyce, resigned. Michael McCormack then decided to run for the leadership position. He won the vote and became the new leader of the National Party. This also meant he became the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. He also took on the role of Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
After the 2019 federal election, McCormack was re-elected as the party leader. He continued to serve as Deputy Prime Minister. In June 2021, another vote for the leadership was held. McCormack was challenged by Barnaby Joyce and was defeated. Barnaby Joyce then became the leader and Deputy Prime Minister again. McCormack returned to being a regular Member of Parliament.
Current Role in Opposition
McCormack was re-elected in the 2022 federal election. In June 2022, he was appointed by the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, to a new role. He became the Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific. This means he works on issues related to Australia's relationships with other countries, especially in the Pacific region.
Personal Life
Michael McCormack is a Roman Catholic. He married Catherine Shaw in 1986 in Wagga Wagga. They have three children together. He is also known for having a large collection of old newspaper volumes.
