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Billy Gordon
Billy Gordon
Billy Gordon
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William John Gordon (1972 or 1973 – 25 November 2022) was an Indigenous Australian politician. He was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 2015 to 2017, representing the electorate of Cook.

Key Information

Career

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Hailing from Innisfail, Queensland, Gordon first entered politics as the Labor candidate in the federal seat of Leichhardt for the 2013 election, losing to Liberal National incumbent Warren Entsch. However, he increased his profile enough that he was able to successfully stand in the state seat of Cook, essentially the far northern portion of the federal seat. Gordon was elected as a Labor candidate at the 2015 election before becoming an independent two months later.[1] He retired at the 2017 election.

Gordon was one of the first Indigenous Queensland state MPs in a generation.[2]

Controversy

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In 2015, tip-offs to the media led to Gordon publicly acknowledging a criminal history dating back to the 1980s which he had not disclosed to his colleagues,[3] including driving and breaking-and-entering offences, a breach of bail and probation, and an apprehended violence order taken out by his mother.

Gordon's former de facto partner accused him of domestic violence[4] and routinely not filing tax returns to avoid child support payments for his five children.[5]

In response, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk expelled Gordon from the Labor caucus, and asked the state party organisational wing to have Gordon expelled from the party altogether. Although Palaszczuk was well aware that the loss of the Cook electorate could put her premiership in jeopardy, she said that, given the circumstances, she had no other choice.[6]

In September 2015, Queensland Police dropped the domestic violence charges against Gordon, citing insufficient evidence.[7] On the same day, police charged a woman with extortion for allegedly attempting to blackmail Gordon by claiming he had sent her an explicit image by SMS.[8]

On 1 June 2016, Gordon was charged with drink driving and unlicensed driving when pulled over at a random traffic stop on the Kennedy Highway at Kuranda, on the Atherton Tableland west of Cairns. He was taken to the Kuranda police station and allegedly returned a blood-alcohol content reading of 0.094.[9]

On 1 July 2016, Gordon pleaded guilty to both charges in the Brisbane Magistrates Court. He was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for four months.[10]

Retirement

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Gordon retired from politics at the 2017 election, having confirmed that he would not recontest his seat on 31 October 2017 following the calling of the election.[11]

Gordon died on 25 November 2022, aged 49. It was understood that he was being treated for kidney disease.[12]

References

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Billy Gordon

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Billy Gordon was an Indigenous Australian politician known for serving as the Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for the electorate of Cook from 2015 to 2017. A member of the Barbarrum people from Far North Queensland, he was elected representing the Australian Labor Party in the 2015 state election but was expelled from the party two months later following revelations of a previously undisclosed criminal history dating back to the 1980s. He continued in parliament as an independent MP, providing crucial support to the minority Labor government during his term. Before entering politics, Gordon had a diverse career that included service in the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment of the Australian Army Reserve, as well as roles as a sugar cane cutter, youth social worker, builder's labourer, cleaner, and public servant. He unsuccessfully contested the federal Division of Leichhardt for Labor in the 2013 federal election. His parliamentary career was marked by significant personal challenges and controversies, including cleared allegations of domestic violence in 2015 and a later drink-driving conviction in 2016. Gordon retired from politics ahead of the 2017 state election and died on 25 November 2022 at the age of 49 while being treated for kidney disease.

Early life and pre-political career

Billy Gordon was born in Far North Queensland, Australia, and was a member of the Barbarrum Indigenous people. Limited verified details are available about his early life, family background, education, or childhood. Prior to entering politics, he served in the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment of the Australian Army Reserve. His civilian work included employment as a sugar cane cutter, youth social worker, builder's labourer, cleaner, and public servant. In 2013, he stood unsuccessfully as the Labor candidate for the federal Division of Leichhardt.

Political career

Gordon was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly as the Labor member for Cook in the 2015 state election. Two months later, he was expelled from the Australian Labor Party after admitting to a previously undisclosed criminal history from the 1980s. He remained in parliament as an independent and provided key support to the minority Labor government led by Annastacia Palaszczuk. During his term, he faced allegations of domestic violence in 2015, which were later cleared. In 2016, he was convicted of drink-driving. He retired ahead of the 2017 Queensland state election.

Death

Billy Gordon died on 25 November 2022 at the age of 49 while receiving treatment for kidney disease.
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