Roger Shipton

Roger Francis Shipton OAM (5 August 1936 – 18 January 1998) was an Australian politician. In 1975 he succeeded former Prime Minister Sir John Gorton as the Liberal Party member of the Australian House of Representatives for the Division of Higgins. Unlike his predecessors, he was never promoted to cabinet, though he did serve in the opposition shadow ministry from 1983 to 1985.[1]

Roger Shipton OAM
Member of the Australian Parliament for Higgins
In office 13 December 1975 – 19 February 1990
Preceded by	John Gorton
Succeeded by	Peter Costello
Personal details
Born	5 August 1936 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died	18 January 1998 (aged 61) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia

In the lead up to the 1990 Federal Election it was suggested that he would stand aside to allow John Elliott to take his seat,[2] and the leadership of the Federal Liberal Party, but he declined to make way for Elliott and remained the member for Higgins.

Despite his stand he was successfully challenged for pre-selection by future Treasurer Peter Costello[3] with support from Michael Kroger. He retired from parliament after being defeated. He died in 1998 due to complications following heart surgery.

He was the godfather of Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth.[4]

References

1. "Shipton, Roger Francis, OAM". ParlinfoWeb. Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 15 September 2007. Retrieved 6 June 2007.
2. Video on YouTube
3. "A man of means who means to succeed". The Age. Melbourne. 6 March 2004.
4. "Scars and Stars: New David Lee Roth Interviews". 27 February 2013.