William Richard Marmion (born 22 May 1954) is an Australian politician who was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia between 2008 and 2021, representing the seat of Nedlands. He served as a minister in the government of Colin Barnett from 2010 to 2017. He later served as deputy leader of the Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division) from 2019 to 2020.

Bill Marmion
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia
In office
13 June 2019 – 22 November 2020
LeaderLiza Harvey
Preceded byLiza Harvey
Succeeded byLibby Mettam
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Western Australia
In office
13 June 2019 – 22 November 2020
LeaderLiza Harvey
Preceded byLiza Harvey
Succeeded byLibby Mettam
Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
for Nedlands
In office
6 September 2008 – 13 March 2021
Preceded bySue Walker
Succeeded byKatrina Stratton
Personal details
Born
William Richard Marmion

(1954-05-22) 22 May 1954 (age 70)
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Political partyLiberal
Alma materUniversity of Western Australia

Early life

edit

Marmion was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, to Betty Ellen (née Ramm) and Richard Stephen Marmion. His great-grandfather, William Edward Marmion, was a member of parliament in the 19th century. His father was a mechanical engineer, and the family lived for periods in Kalgoorlie and Wittenoom before eventually settling in Bunbury. Marmion attended Bunbury Senior High School and then boarded at Hale School, Perth, for his final two years of high school. He went on to study at the University of Western Australia, initially graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) degree and later returning to complete a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree. Before entering politics, Marmion worked as a civil engineer for Main Roads Western Australia, as a VFM auditor for the state government's auditor-general, and for his own strategic planning business. He was also president of the state branch of Engineers Australia for three years.[1]

Politics

edit

From 1992 to 1997, Marmion was the private secretary to Peter Foss, a state Liberal MP and a minister in the government of Richard Court. In 1997, he transferred to Court's office, where he remained until the government's defeat at the 2001 state election.[1] Marmion entered parliament himself at the 2008 state election, winning the seat of Nedlands from Sue Walker, an independent who had resigned from the Liberal Party earlier in the year.[2] He was made parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Transport (Simon O'Brien) shortly after the election, and later served in a similar position for the premier. In April 2010, following the resignation of Troy Buswell, Marmion was elevated to the ministry as Minister for Commerce, Minister for Housing, and Minister for Science and Innovation. In a reshuffle in December 2010, he was instead made Minister for the Environment and Minister for Water. Another reshuffle occurred after the 2013 state election, with Marmion becoming Minister for Mines and Petroleum and Minister for Housing (for a second time). He was also made Minister for Finance in December 2014, and Minister for State Development in March 2016, but lost the mines portfolio to Sean L'Estrange.[3] In September 2016, he was shifted from finance to transport to replace resigned minister Dean Nalder.[4]

In 2017, Marmion suffered a swing of almost 11 percent, and was left as one of only nine Liberals from Perth. Four years later, Marmion was swept out amid the Liberals' meltdown in the capital. He lost over 16 percent of his primary vote from 2017, and narrowly trailed Labor challenger Katrina Stratton on the first count. Ultimately, Stratton defeated Marmion on the fifth count after Green preferences flowed overwhelmingly to her.[5]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b William (Bill) Richard Marmion – Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  2. ^ Nedlands (*) (Key Seat), Western Australian State Election 2008, Antony Green's Election Guide. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  3. ^ Hon. William (Bill) Richard Marmion MLA BE, MBA – Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  4. ^ "New Ministers: Bill Marmion gets Transport, Paul Miles promoted". PerthNow. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  5. ^ 2021 State General Election – Nedlands District Results, WAEC
Parliament of Western Australia
Preceded by Member for Nedlands
2008–2021
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Commerce
2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Science and Innovation
2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Housing
2010
2013–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for the Environment
2010–2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Water
2010–2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Mines and Petroleum
2013–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Finance
2014–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for State Development
2016–2017
Succeeded by
New creation Minister for Innovation
2016–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Transport
2016–2017
Succeeded by