Joan Sheldon

Joan Mary Sheldon AM (born 29 April 1943) is an Australian politician. She was a Liberal Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1990 to 2004, representing the electorates of Landsborough (1990–1992) and then Caloundra (1992–2004).[1] She was the state Liberal leader from 1991 to 1998, and served as Deputy Premier in the Borbidge government from 1996 to 1998.[1]

The Honourable Joan Sheldon AM
26th Deputy Premier of Queensland
In office 19 February 1996 – 26 June 1998
Premier	Rob Borbidge
Preceded by	Tom Burns
Succeeded by	Jim Elder
Shadow Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations
In office 19 June 2000 – 17 February 2001
Leader	Rob Borbidge
Preceded by	Santo Santoro
Succeeded by	Vince Lester
42nd Treasurer of Queensland
In office 19 February 1996 – 26 June 1998
Premier	Rob Borbidge
Preceded by	Keith De Lacy
Succeeded by	David Hamill
Shadow Treasurer of Queensland
In office 2 November 1992 – 19 February 1996
Leader	Rob Borbidge
Preceded by	Mark Stoneman
Succeeded by	David Hamill
Leader of the Queensland Liberal Party Elections: 1992, 1995, 1998
In office 11 November 1991 – 23 June 1998
Deputy	David Watson (1991–1992) Santo Santoro (1992–1995) Denver Beanland (1995–1998)
Preceded by	Denver Beanland
Succeeded by	David Watson
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Caloundra Landsborough (1989–1992)
In office 28 July 1990 – 7 February 2004
Preceded by	Mike Ahern
Succeeded by	Mark McArdle
Personal details
Born	29 April 1943 Bundaberg, Queensland
Political party	Liberal Party
Alma mater	University of Queensland
Occupation	Physiotherapist

Early life

Sheldon was born in Bundaberg, Queensland, and attended St Bernadette's Primary School and Soubirous College. She studied physiotherapy at the University of Queensland and subsequently studied for a time at Trinity College London. Sheldon operated a physiotherapy practice in Brisbane from 1978 to 1984, when she moved to Caloundra.[2]

Politics

A long-time member of the Liberal Party, she contested and won preselection for the National-held seat of Landsborough upon the 1990 resignation of former Premier Mike Ahern. She won an upset victory after Labor declined to stand a candidate, winning a 15% swing in her favour.[3] In November 1991, she defeated Denver Beanland for the Liberal leadership, becoming the first female party leader in Queensland.

Leader of the Liberals (1991–98)

An ally of Liberal state president Paul Everingham, she was seen as less hostile to the National Party than her predecessor.[4]

Sheldon led the party to a resounding defeat in the 1992 state election, losing a seat to Labor amidst high-profile tensions with the National Party.[5][6]

She supported proposals for a merger or coalition in the wake of the loss, and subsequently led the Liberal Party back into coalition with the National Party in November 1992, after nine years apart.[7][8]

She subsequently served as Shadow Treasurer under Borbidge in the lead-up to the 1995 state election, which resulted in a one-seat victory for Labor. The result was reversed in February 1996 when a court-ordered by-election resulted in a Liberal victory, and the Liberal-National Coalition gained office with the support of an independent. Sheldon was thus sworn in as Deputy Premier and Treasurer under Borbidge and became the first woman in Queensland to hold these roles. During the transition period of 19 to 26 February 1996, she held several ministries including Attorney-General.[9]

After the Borbidge Ministry lost office after the 1998 election Sheldon stood down as Liberal leader, with former deputy David Watson succeeding her.

Post Leadership (1998–04)

She remained on the backbench until 1999 when she became Shadow Minister for The Arts, Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs which after June 2000 became Shadow Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations and The Arts.

From April 2003 from when the Coalition agreement with the Nationals was reinstated to her retirement from the assembly in February 2004, she served as Shadow Minister for Tourism and Shadow Minister for the Arts.

Post Politics

Sheldon was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2005 Australia Day Honours for "service to the Queensland Parliament, to support for a range of cultural organisations, and to issues affecting women".[10]

References

1. "Sheldon, Mrs Joan Mary (Joan)". Re-Member Database. Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
2. McCulloch, John (1994). Women in the Queensland Parliament: 1929–1994 (PDF). Parliament of Queensland. pp. 167–176. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
3. Roberts, Greg (30 July 1990). "Ahern's old seat goes in blow to Nats". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 4.
4. Roberts, Greg (12 November 1991). "Beanland dismissal fails to health Bitter QLD Lib split". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 7.
5. Roberts, Greg (7 September 1992). "Queensland's Liberals mindless idiots: Murray". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 9.
6. Roberts, Greg (21 September 1992). "QLD Nats, Libs in furore". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 4.
7. Roberts, Greg (21 September 1992). "Call for merger of opposition". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 4.
8. Roberts, Greg (23 November 1992). "Opposition links up to counter Qld Govt". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 5.
9. "Part 2.15 – Alphabetical Register of Members of the Legislative Assembly 1860–2017 and the Legislative Council 1860–1922" (PDF). Queensland Parliamentary Record 2015–2017: The 55th Parliament. Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2015.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
10. "SHELDON, Joan Mary". honours.pmc.gov.au. Retrieved 30 July 2018.