Preceded by Lloyd O'Neil Succeeded by Rowan Ramsey Name Barry Wakelin | Occupation Farmer, businessman Nationality Australian Resigned 2007 | |
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Born 7 May 1946 (age 77)
Kimba, South Australia ( 1946-05-07 ) Political party Liberal Party of Australia Role Former Member of the Australian House of Representatives Party Liberal Party of Australia Previous office Member of the Australian Parliament (1993–2007) | ||
Barry Hugh Wakelin OAM (born 7 May 1946), is an Australian politician, was a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1993 until November 2007, representing the Division of Grey, South Australia. He was born in Kimba, South Australia, and was a farmer and small businessman before entering politics. In 1993, he stood as the Liberal candidate in Grey, historically one of the few country seats where Labor consistently did well, and became only the fifth non-Labor member ever to win it. While Wakelin's win was and still is considered an upset, the election came at a very bad time for Labor in South Australia. The incumbent state Labor government was still reeling from the collapse of the State Bank of South Australia, and would be heavily defeated at the state election held later in 1993.
In 1996, Wakelin became the first non-Labor member in 53 years to be reelected to Grey. He picked up a large swing of over six percent, turning Grey into a safe Liberal seat in one stroke. He held it without difficulty until his retirement in 2007.
He is also father of Ten News reporter James Wakelin and father-in-law of Ten News presenter Rebecca Morse.