Pat McNamara (Australian politician)

Patrick John McNamara (born Melbourne, 11 August 1949) is a former Australian politician who was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, representing Benalla for the National Party from 1982 to 2000. From 1988 to 1999, he was leader of the National Party in Victoria and was Deputy Premier of Victoria under Jeff Kennett from 1992 to 1999. He held several ministerial positions in the Kennett government, including Minister for Agriculture and Resources, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrections.[1] During his tenure as Deputy Premier, Kennett's Liberals actually held a majority in their own right. Although Kennett did not need the support of McNamara's Nationals, the coalition was retained.

The Honourable Pat McNamara MP
21st Deputy Premier of Victoria
In office 3 October 1992 – 18 September 1999
Premier	Jeff Kennett
Preceded by	Robert Fordham
Succeeded by	John Thwaites
Member of the Victorian Parliament for Benalla
In office 3 April 1982 – 12 April 2000
Preceded by	Tom Trewin
Succeeded by	Denise Allen
Personal details
Born	11 August 1949 Melbourne
Nationality	Australian
Political party	National Party
Profession	Politician

Following the defeat of the Liberal-National coalition at the 1999 Victorian election, McNamara resigned the party leadership. A year later, he resigned from parliament, triggering a by-election which resulted in the Nationals losing the seat to the Labor Party.[2]

References

1. McNamara, Patrick John, re-member (Parliament of Victoria).
2. McLeod, Shane: Nationals in shock after Benalla, The World Today (ABC Local Radio), 15 May 2000.

Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Tom Trewin	Member for Benalla 1982–2000	Succeeded by Denise Allen
Party political offices
Preceded by Peter Ross-Edwards	Leader of the National Party in Victoria 1988–1999	Succeeded by Peter Ryan