Terry Griffiths (politician)

Terence Allan "Terry" Griffiths (22 June 1944 – 18 June 2009) was a former Australian army officer and New South Wales state politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the Georges River from 1988 to 1995 initially for the Liberal Party and then as an independent member. He held a number of ministerial portfolios from 1991 to 1994 including Minister for Justice, Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services. In 1994, Griffiths was forced to resign from both the ministry and the Liberal Party over claims of sexual harassment.

The Honourable Terry Griffiths
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Georges River
In office 22 February 1988 – 3 March 1995
Preceded by	Frank Walker
Succeeded by	Marie Ficarra
Personal details
Born	(1944-06-22)22 June 1944 [1] Sydney
Died	18 June 2009(2009-06-18) (aged 64) [1]
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party (1988-1994) Independent (1994-1995)
Spouse(s)	Jann Mariette Hart m. 1965, diss. Diane von Westernhagen m. 1974, diss. 2000
Children	1 (f), 1 (s) with Hart; 1 (f), 2 (s) with von Westernhagen
Occupation	Army officer
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army
Years of service	1962–1982
Rank	Major

Early years and background

Griffiths was born in Marrickville, New South Wales; his father was Richard Patrick Griffiths, an army officer of the Cadet School Portsea. He was educated at Liverpool Boys High School. In 1962 he was trained at the Officer Cadet School, Portsea and the School of Military Engineering and was commissioned as an army officer. In 1965 he married Jann Mariette Hart, with whom he had two children. He served in South Vietnam 1969–70. He and Jann divorced and, on 19 January 1974, he married Diane Maree von Westernhagen with whom he had three children. Griffiths was an army attache in Washington 1978–81. After reaching the rank of Major, he left the army in 1982. From 1983 to 1988 he was employed as the chief executive officer of The Scout Association of Australia's NSW branch. During his time as chief executive officer of The Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch, serial sexual abuse by NSW scout leaders, including Commissioner and Branch Councillor Darryl Rubiolo, took place.[2][3]

Griffiths joined the Liberal Party of Australia in 1987. With his election to the NSW legislature, he resigned as chief executive officer of The Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch and was appointed to its Council. Following the failure of his political career on claims of sexual harassment, molestation and bullying of staff, he and his second wife divorced in 2000. He was also dropped from The Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch Council.[4]

Political career

In 1988, Griffiths was elected as the Liberal member for Georges River in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, defeating sitting Labor MP Frank Walker. He was re-elected easily in 1991 and became Minister for Justice, moving to the Police Ministry in 1992.[1] In 1994, he was forced to resign from both the ministry and the Liberal Party over claims of sexual harassment.[5] He retired at the 1995 election.[6]

Honours and awards

	Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975
	Vietnam Medal
	Defence Force Service Medal with 1 Rosette	for 20–24 years of service
	National Medal	for 15–24 years of service
	Australian Defence Medal	2006

References

1. "The Hon. Terence Allan Griffiths (1944–2009)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
2. "Darryl Rubiolo". Aussie Sex Offenders. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
3. "Child sex assault accused appears in court". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
4. The Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch. Annual Report 1994 & Annual Report 1995.
5. "Oatley: NSW State election". Crikey. 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
6. Green, Antony. "Elections for Georges River". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 21 July 2020.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Frank Walker	Member for Georges River 1988–1995	Succeeded by Marie Ficarra