Terry Stephens

Terence John Stephens (born 11 June 1959) is an Australian politician, and a member of the South Australian Legislative Council since being elected in 2002, representing the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia. He was President of the South Australian Legislative Council from February to September 2020, but resigned after becoming embroiled in an allowances scandal.

The Honourable Terry Stephens MLC
President of the South Australian Legislative Council
In office 5 February 2020 – 8 September 2020
Preceded by	Andrew McLachlan
Succeeded by	John Dawkins
Member of the Legislative Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 February 2002
Personal details
Born	11 June 1959 Whyalla, South Australia[1]
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia (SA)
Spouse(s)	Donna
Children	Courtney and Riley[1]

Background

Prior to his entry in to politics, Stephens was a company director for 20 years, and was involved in community activities, being a life member of South Whyalla Football Club, life member of the Whyalla Football League, patron of Norwood District Basketball Club, a City of Whyalla Councillor, a member of the Whyalla Chamber of Commerce, and chair of the Westlands Traders Association.

Parliamentary service

Because the Liberals lost the 2002 state election to the Labor Party, and Labor retained government at subsequent elections, Stephens was a member of the opposition until the 2018 South Australian state election was won by the Liberals. He held the role of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary assisting with Industry and Trade, Economic Development and Police from April 2006 to April 2007, was the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Liberal Leader for Business Regulation and Red Tape, and Sport, Recreation & Racing to September 2008, then Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader for Sport, Recreation and Racing, Small Business, and Red Tape Reduction until July 2009. In July 2009, he was promoted to Shadow Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing, and Shadow Minister for Tourism, and added Shadow Minister for Corrections, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Shadow Minister for Gambling in April 2010.[2] However, he moved to the backbench in a reshuffle in December 2011.[3]

Stephens became Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Recreation & Sport, Racing, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation in April 2014.[2]

When the Liberal Party won the 2018 election, Stephens was appointed as Government Whip in the Legislative Council. In February 2020, he replaced Andrew McLachlan as President of the South Australian Legislative Council.[4]

In June 2020, it was alleged that although Stephens had claimed to live in Victor Harbor since 2014, he spent a significant amount of time at his property at Norwood, in Adelaide's inner east, and so had been wrongly claiming an allowance paid to him as a regional MP. Stephens denied any wrongdoing,[5] but announced his resignation as Legislative Council President on 26 July 2020, to take effect when the council resumed after the winter break.[6][7]

References

1. "Terry Stephens". Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division). Retrieved 5 February 2020.
2. "Profile: Hon Terry Stephens". Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
3. "South Australia Liberal Party reshuffles shadow cabinet". The Australian. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
4. Wills, Daniel (2 February 2020). "Liberal MP Terry Stephens set for Upper House president, as Andrew McLachlan jumps to the Senate". The Advertiser. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
5. Martin, Patrick; Harmsen, Nick (28 June 2020). "Liberal MP Terry Stephens facing questions over allowance eligibility amid ABC investigation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
6. "Three ministers and Legislative Council President resign amid SA expenses scandal". ABC News. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
7. "Tim Whetstone, Stephan Knoll, David Ridgeway amongst MPs resigning from SA Government • Glam Adelaide". Glam Adelaide. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.