Michelle Landry

Michelle Leanne Landry (née Martin; born 15 October 1962) is an Australian politician who has been a member of the House of Representatives since the 2013 federal election, representing the Division of Capricornia. She holds the positions of Assistant Minister for Children and Families (2018–present) and Assistant Minister for Northern Australia (2020–present) in the Morrison Government. She is a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland, and sits with the Nationals in federal parliament.[1]

The Honourable

Michelle Landry

MP
Landry in 2016
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia
Assumed office
6 February 2020
Prime MinisterScott Morrison
Preceded byNew title
Assistant Minister for Children and Families
Assumed office
28 August 2018
Prime MinisterScott Morrison
Preceded byDavid Gillespie
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Capricornia
Assumed office
7 September 2013
Preceded byKirsten Livermore
Personal details
Born
Michelle Leanne Martin

(1962-10-15) 15 October 1962
Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Political partyNationals (LNP)
Children2
OccupationBusiness owner
Websitemichellelandry.com.au

Early life and career

Landry was born in Rockhampton, Queensland. She was educated at Hall State School and Rockhampton Girls Grammar.[2]

From 1978 to 1985 Landry worked as a pathology and medical biochemistry laboratory assistant. From 1985 to 2007 she worked at the National Australia Bank. She ran a local bookkeeping business from 1999 to 2009.[3][2]

Political career

Landry contested the seat of Capricornia for the first time in the 2010 federal election. Her opponent, long-term Labor MP Kirsten Livermore defeated her in a 54-46 two party preferred vote; an 8% swing to the LNP. Following the retirement of Livermore in 2013, Landry won the seat in the 2013 federal election. She was reelected in both the 2016 federal election and the 2019 federal election.

In February 2018, Landry became the National Party's Chief Whip in the House of Representatives. She was replaced by Damian Drum following her appointment as an assistant minister.[4][5]

In August 2018, Landry became Assistant Minister for Children and Families in the Morrison Government.[6] She was additionally appointed Assistant Minister for Northern Australia in February 2020.[3] Following the resignation of Bridget McKenzie, she is the National Party's only female member of the ministry.[7]

CFMEU bullying allegations

In November 2014, Landry claimed to the media that she, her daughter, and son-in-law, had been targeted with bullying and intimidation by representatives from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). Landry did not make an official complaint about the alleged harassment to police or the union. The publicly aired allegations prompted the CFMEU's district president, Stephen Smyth to demand Landry apologise to union members and Blackwater residents, and described the allegations as baseless. Smyth said the union was offended by Landry's comments as it fights against bullying on a daily basis. He said that if she had any evidence, she should have taken it to the police.[8][9][10]

'Wishy Washy' comments

In April 2016, Landry drew national attention when she repeatedly aired criticisms to the media about her own government being "wishy washy."[11] Her comments prompted senior government ministers to defend the Coalition Federal Government's performance, including Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, National Party leader, Barnaby Joyce, and Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.[12][13][14][15][16][11]

Adani political donations

Questions were raised after Adani attended a fundraiser for Landry's 2019 federal election campaign and made donations of $60,800 to the Liberal and National Parties. Landry is a strong backer of the controversial Adani Carmichael coal mine project.[17]

References
  1. "Michelle Landry Candidate for Capricornia". Liberal Party of Australia. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  2. "Capricornia - Australia Votes | Federal Election 2013 (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  3. 7111, corporateName=Commonwealth Parliament; address=Parliament House, Canberra, ACT, 2600; contact=+61 2 6277. "Ms Michelle Landry MP". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 4 July 2017.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Bettles, Colin (5 February 2018). "Landry whips it for women in Canberra". Farm Online. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  5. Osborne, Paul (10 September 2018). "Question time in federal parliament". Bendigo Advertiser. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  6. Bagshaw, Eryk (26 August 2018). "Prime Minister Scott Morrison reveals new cabinet". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  7. "Nationals switch jobs in Scott Morrison's new-look Cabinet". The New Daily. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  8. Capricornia MP claims CFMEU bullied her family at Blackwater, Kara Paradies, The Morning Bulletin, 6 November 2014
  9. Capricornia MP Michelle Landry says daughter and son-in-law forced to leave town after harassment by CFMEU, John McCarthy, The Courier Mail, 3 November 2014
  10. Michelle Landry claims bullying by CFMEU, Ben Hagemann, Australian Mining, 6 November 2014
  11. PM faces 'internal criticism', SBS World News Radio, 6 April 2016
  12. Turnbull responds to internal criticism by encouraging backbenchers to be 'more upbeat', Matthew Doran and Stephanie Anderson, ABC News, ABC online, 6 April 2016
  13. Landry should be more 'upbeat': PM, Tom Iggulden, PM, ABC Radio, 6 April 2016
  14. Turnbull's government is 'wishy washy' says Central Qld MP, Melanie Plane, The Morning Bulletin, 6 April 2016
  15. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull being urged by MP's to stop dithering, Steven Scott, The Courier Mail, 6 April 2016
  16. Video: Michelle Landry may lose seat after 'wishy washy' comment, Mark Riley, 7 News, Seven Network, 6 April 2016
  17. editor, Katharine Murphy Political (17 April 2019). "Coalition MP says she doesn't know how much Adani donated to her campaign". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 July 2019.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Kirsten Livermore		 Member for Capricornia
2013–present		 Incumbent
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