Matt Foley (politician)

The Hon. Matthew Joseph Foley (born 24 January 1951) is a former Australian politician.

For the character, see Matt Foley.

The Hon
Matt Foley
Minister for Employment and Training
of Queensland
In office
22 February 2001 – 12 February 2004
PremierPeter Beattie
Preceded byPaul Braddy
Succeeded byTom Barton
In office
24 September 1992 – 31 July 1995
PremierWayne Goss
Preceded byKen Vaughan
Succeeded byWendy Edmond
Attorney-General of Queensland
and Minister for Justice
In office
29 June 1998 – 22 February 2001
PremierPeter Beattie
Preceded byDenver Beanland
Succeeded byRod Welford
In office
31 July 1995 – 19 February 1996
PremierWayne Goss
Preceded byDean Wells
Succeeded byDenver Beanland
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Justice
In office
22 February 1996 – 26 June 1998
LeaderPeter Beattie
Preceded byDenver Beanland
Succeeded byLawrence Springborg
Minister for Industrial Relations
of Queensland
In office
24 September 1992 – 19 February 1996
PremierWayne Goss
Preceded byKen Vaughan
Succeeded bySanto Santoro
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Yeerongpilly
Yeronga (1989–2001)
In office
2 December 1989 – 7 February 2004
Preceded byNorm Lee
Succeeded bySimon Finn
Personal details
Born
Matthew Joseph Foley

(1951-01-24) 24 January 1951
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political partyLabor Party
Children2 sons, 4 stepchildren
Alma materUniversity of Queensland
OccupationSolicitor, Social worker

Early life

Before 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

In 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
  1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  2. 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
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