The Hon. Matthew Joseph Foley (born 24 January 1951) is a former Australian politician.
Matt Foley | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Employment and Training of Queensland | |
| In office 22 February 2001 – 12 February 2004 | |
| Premier | Peter Beattie |
| Preceded by | Paul Braddy |
| Succeeded by | Tom Barton |
| In office 24 September 1992 – 31 July 1995 | |
| Premier | Wayne Goss |
| Preceded by | Ken Vaughan |
| Succeeded by | Wendy Edmond |
| Attorney-General of Queensland and Minister for Justice | |
| In office 29 June 1998 – 22 February 2001 | |
| Premier | Peter Beattie |
| Preceded by | Denver Beanland |
| Succeeded by | Rod Welford |
| In office 31 July 1995 – 19 February 1996 | |
| Premier | Wayne Goss |
| Preceded by | Dean Wells |
| Succeeded by | Denver Beanland |
| Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister for Justice | |
| In office 22 February 1996 – 26 June 1998 | |
| Leader | Peter Beattie |
| Preceded by | Denver Beanland |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence Springborg |
| Minister for Industrial Relations of Queensland | |
| In office 24 September 1992 – 19 February 1996 | |
| Premier | Wayne Goss |
| Preceded by | Ken Vaughan |
| Succeeded by | Santo Santoro |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Yeerongpilly Yeronga (1989–2001) | |
| In office 2 December 1989 – 7 February 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Norm Lee |
| Succeeded by | Simon Finn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Matthew Joseph Foley 24 January 1951 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Children | 2 sons, 4 stepchildren |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Occupation | Solicitor, Social worker |
Early life
editBefore entering politics, he was a barrister and social worker, and sub-dean of the Social Work Faculty at Queensland University 1981–1983. He was chairperson of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (1983–1986), president of the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (1985–1987), a member of the Criminal Law Sub-Committee of the Bar Association of Queensland and of the National Consumer Affairs Advisory Council (1988–1989) and National President of the Labor Lawyers Association (1989).[1]
Political career
editIn 1989, Foley was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland as the Labor member for Yeronga.[1] From 1992 onward, Foley served as Attorney-General of Queensland and Minister for the Arts, among other roles, in the Wayne Goss Government.[1]
In opposition from 1996 to 1998, Foley was Shadow Attorney-General.[1]
When Labor won government under Peter Beattie in 1998, Foley was appointed Minister for the Arts, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. At the 2001 election, his seat was abolished and he successfully contested Yeerongpilly. Judge Roslyn Atkinson has credited Foley, in his role as Queensland Attorney-General, with making the Bench more inclusive and representative of wider society, and specifically appointing more women to the Bench.[2] After the election, he became Minister for Employment, Training and Youth, keeping his responsibility for the Arts but leaving his legal portfolios.
Foley retired from politics in 2004.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ Interview with Judge Roslyn Atkinson, 'The Conversation Hour', ABC Radio National, 10 October 2015. http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/10/19/4334218.htm. Accessed 28 October 2015