Home > State Members of Parliament > Ross Butler

First elected:

June 2008 in Franklin, after a recount of votes upon the resignation of Paul Lennon M.P.

Qualifications:

Degrees: B.A. (1962), Master of Education (1977)

Diplomas: Dip. Ed. (1966), Diploma of Aust. Institute of Company Directors (1994)

Diploma of Financial Planning (95% complete) - Deakin Uni., TAFE course - Operate Computer Packages (2002), Australian Securities and Investments Commission - PS 146 Tier 1 General Insurance Training (2004), Real Estate Council of Tasmania - Property Consultant Licence course (2001), Ancillary Certificate to Drive Public Passenger Vehicle (2005 - 2008)

Real World Experience:

2005 - 2008 Taxi Driver

2004 Authorised Representative - Combined Insurance Company of Australia

2000 - 2003 Property Consultant - Roberts Eastern Shore Real Estate

1998 - 2004 Member of Trustee Board - Retirement Benefits Fund of Tasmania

1993 - 1998 Member Board of Directors - Teachers Police and Nurses Credit Union

1982 - 2000 Principal of High Schools (Glenora, Murray, New Norfolk, Cosgrove)

1991 Education Adviser to two State Ministers of Education

1981 - 1982 and 1987 - 1988 Fulltime President - Tasmanian Teachers’ Federation

1963 - 1980 Teacher in Tasmania and Canada of French, German, Maths, English and History

Professional and Union Activity:

1971 - 1992 Executive Member - Tasmanian Teachers’ Federation - Australian Education Union

1976 - 1980 Treasurer - Tasmanian Teachers’ Federation

1981 - 1982 Chairman - Ingomar Hotel - Board of Directors

1987 - 1988 Executive Member - Tasmanian Trades and Labor Council

1993 - 1994 Member - National Board of Directors - Australian Council for Educational Administration

1997 - 1999 State Secretary - Tasmanian Secondary Principals’ Association

1994 - 1998 Member - Australian Institute of Company Directors and of Institute of Credit Union Directors

1996 - 1998 Member - Financial Planning Association

2001 - 2003 Member - Real Estate Institute of Tasmania

Australian Labor Party:

ALP member since 1963. Past Branch Secretary, Branch President, Conference Delegate and Education Policy Committee member.

Recreation:

Fishing, sport, Australian Rules umpire, piano accordion player; history, politics, philosophy and literature reader

Franklin was named after Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania (1837-1843). He also accompanied Matthew Flinders on a voyage to chart the south coast of Australia in 1801. He died on an expedition to the Arctic.

Franklin covers an area of approximately 7933 sq km from Bridgewater in the north to Port Davey in the south and Seven Mile Beach in the east. The City of Clarence is in the division of Franklin. Other major towns include Blackmans Bay, Bridgewater, Cygnet, Dover, Franklin, Geeveston, Huonville, Kingston, Margate and Snug as well as Bruny Island.

Products and industries of the area cover apples, pears, small fruits, fishing, beef cattle, sheep, forestry, cottage industry and tourism.