Mark McArdle

Mark McArdle MP
Minister for Energy and Water Supply of Queensland
In office 3 April 2012 – 14 February 2015
Premier	Campbell Newman
Preceded by	Stephen Robertson (Energy and Water Utilities)
Succeeded by	Mark Bailey
Deputy Leader of the Opposition of Queensland
In office 7 December 2007 – 2 April 2009
Preceded by	Bruce Flegg
Succeeded by	Lawrence Springborg
Member of the Queensland Parliament for Caloundra
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 February 2004
Preceded by	Joan Sheldon
Personal details
Born	(1956-12-21) 21 December 1956 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Liberal National Party
Spouse(s)	Judy McArdle
Profession	Solicitor

Mark Francis McArdle (born 21 December 1956) is an Australian politician who is Queensland's Shadow Minister for Health and a Liberal National member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland since 2004, representing the electorate of Caloundra.

McArdle was the Shadow Health Minister from 12 August 2008, until the LNP's victory at the 2012 election. He was previously the state Liberal leader and the deputy opposition leader. McArdle was installed as a compromise candidate in December 2007 after a deadlock in the caucus between supporters of former leader Bruce Flegg and challenger Tim Nicholls. He had previously served as deputy leader under Flegg from 2006 to 2007. He was made Deputy Leader of the Liberal National Party after the Queensland Liberal Party merged with the Queensland National Party. After the 2009 Queensland election, Mark McArdle vacated his position as Deputy Leader, as did Leader Lawrence Springborg. Days later, John Paul Langbroek was elected Leader with Lawrence Springborg as Deputy Leader.

Following the party leadership change, McArdle remained in his position as Shadow Minister for Health. After the Liberal National Party's Queensland state election, 2012 at the 2012 State Election, McArdle was appointed as Minister for Energy and Water Supply by Premier Campbell Newman. In 2013, he revealed that he had prostate cancer, and took time off from his portfolio to battle the disease.

At the 2015 state election, Mark McArdle successfully defeated Labor candidate Jason Hunt to retain his state seat, despite a swing of over 20% against him.

Parliamentary career

Mark McArdle has had many Parliamentary Positions including; Liberal Shadow Minister for Justice, State Development & Innovation, Emergency services, Seniors and Local Government. Shadow Attorney General. Liberal Party Whip, from March 2004 until September 2005. Shadow Minister for Justice, Shadow Attorney General from September 2005 till the present. McArdle has had many party positions including; chair Fisher FEC, chair Fisher Business Branch and a Member of Liberal Party State Executive.

2006 election

Prior to the 2006 Election, McArdle came under sustained criticism from the Labor Party and local media for his role in the collapse of mortgage schemes run by Boyce Garrick Lawyers. Premier Peter Beattie claimed that his role in the collapse made him unfit for such a leadership position. McArdle responded by pointing out that he was cleared of any fault in the collapse by the Queensland Law Society in 2001.

In the 2006 Queensland election, McArdle was returned as the Member for Caloundra, taking a 2.6-point swing in his favour, and increasing his margin to 3.9%. Following electoral redistributions in 2008 prior to the 2009 state election, McArdle's margin was reduced to 1.9%.

Activities

McArdle takes an active role in the administration of his portfolio. He regularly attends relevant conferences and meets with key industry executives.

External links

• Ministerial Diary for Mark McArdle
• Liberal National Party of Queensland

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Joan Sheldon	Member for Caloundra 2004–present	Incumbent