Stephen Martin (Australian politician)

Stephen Paul Martin (born 24 June 1948) is a former Australian politician, senior academic and rugby league referee. He served as an Australian Labor Party (ALP) member of the Australian House of Representatives for the seat of Macarthur, south west of Sydney, from 1984–1993; and, following redistribution, represented Cunningham from 1993 until his resignation in 2002. Martin was the Chief Executive of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) from January 2011 until his retirement in April 2017.

The Honourable Dr Stephen Martin
21st Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives
In office 4 May 1993 – 30 April 1996
Deputy	Harry Jenkins
Preceded by	Leo McLeay
Succeeded by	Bob Halverson
Member of the Australian Parliament for Cunningham
In office 13 March 1993 – 16 August 2002
Preceded by	Stewart West
Succeeded by	Michael Organ
Member of the Australian Parliament for Macarthur
In office 1 December 1984 – 13 March 1993
Preceded by	Colin Hollis
Succeeded by	Chris Haviland
Personal details
Born	Stephen Paul Martin (1948-06-24) 24 June 1948 Wollongong, New South Wales
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Occupation	Politician, teacher, lecturer, rugby league referee

Early life

Martin was born in Wollongong, New South Wales and received a BA at the Australian National University, an MA at the University of Alberta, a Master of Town and Country Planning at the University of Sydney, a Diploma of Education at the University of New South Wales and a PhD at the University of Wollongong. Prior to entering parliament, Martin served as a high school teacher with the New South Wales Department of Education, a lecturer at the University of Wollongong, and a Town Planner with the NSW Department of Environment and Planning serving as Regional Manager for the Macarthur Region. He also served as an Alderman on Wollongong City Council from 1983–1985.[1]

Rugby league career

Martin had a successful career as a rugby league referee and administrator.

In 1984 Martin refereed the Illawarra Rugby League first grade grand final,[2] a feat that was subsequently acknowledged in Hansard.[3] Martin was also the Referees' Association Treasurer in 1979–80 and Secretary in 1981–82.[4]

Martin subsequently became a director of the Illawarra Steelers. He resigned from the board of directors in 1995 in protest of the club's refusal to open talks with News Limited during the Super League War and the sacking of coach Graham Murray.

Political career

Martin served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade from 27 December 1991 to 24 March 1993 and was elected Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives on 4 May 1993, a position that he held until the election of the Howard government in 1996.[1]

During his time as Speaker, he became the first Speaker to be given the power to suspend a member of the House for one hour without a vote by House members.

Martin resigned on 16 August 2002 causing a by-election which was subsequently won by Michael Organ running for the Australian Greens.

After politics

After a period as President of the University of Wollongong campus in Dubai, Martin took the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at Victoria University in Melbourne in January 2005.[5] His major contributions were to transform Victoria University's international operations and to create Victoria University International (VUI) as a unit of the University.

In March 2008 Martin became Deputy Vice Chancellor (Strategy and Planning) at Curtin University of Technology in Perth. In April 2009 he took up the position of Senior Consultant with the Slade Group in Melbourne.[5]

In June 2010, Martin joined the Southern Cross University Graduate College of Management in the role of Professor of Business Research and director of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program[6] and left in November 2010.

Martin was appointed to the Chief Executive of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) on 1 January 2011.[7]

References

1. "Biography for Martin, the Hon. Dr Stephen Paul". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
2. "First Grade Grand Final Referees". Illawarra Division Rugby League Referees Association. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
3. Crawford, Mary (4 May 1993). "Speaker: Election". Hansard. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
4. "Past Office Bearers". Illawarra Division Rugby League Referees Association. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
5. "Appointment of the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor Strategy and Planning". Curtin University of Technology. 18 January 2008. Archived from the original on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
6. http://discover.scu.edu.au/2010/issue6/index.php/7
7. "Introducing CEDA's new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer". www.ceda.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2015.

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Colin Hollis	Member for Macarthur 1984–1993	Succeeded by Chris Haviland
Preceded by Stewart West	Member for Cunningham 1993–2002	Succeeded by Michael Organ
Preceded by Leo McLeay	Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives 1993–1996	Succeeded by Bob Halverson