Richard Mulcahy (Australian politician)

Richard Mulcahy is an Australian politician. After a long career involving senior roles in businesses and organisations, he entered the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2004 – topping the Liberal vote in the electorate of Molonglo [http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections/2004/molonglo_04.html] . His vote is the highest on record for a first time candidate in Molonglo under the Hare Clark Electoral system. [http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections/pastelections.html]

He served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for the Arts, Ageing, Industrial Relations, Heritage, Environment and Water and Territory Owned Corporations before leaving the Liberal Party in December 2007.

Richard Mulcahy resigned from the Liberal Party after a sustained period of unsubstantiated attacks from several members of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and others. His departure left the Party with just six seats in the Assembly and in a precarious position ahead of the October 2008 election. [http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/feuding-liberals-lose-star-candidate/420391.aspx] [The current Liberal representation in the ACT Legislative Assembly is six. Mr Zed Seselja, Mr Smyth, Mrs Burke, Ms Dunne, Mr Pratt, Mr Stefaniak. Media reports have widely dismissed the Liberal Party's chances of obtaining Government in the 2008 ACT Election. http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/feuding-liberals-lose-star-candidate/420391.aspx]

He remains in the Assembly as a Member of the Canberra Party and has committed to contesting the next election as a new force in ACT politics.

Political beliefs

A long-term Canberra resident, Richard Mulcahy entered the Legislative Assembly after becoming concerned with the quality of core services in Canberra – especially the health and education systems. [http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/hansard/2005/pdfs/20041207.pdf - Mr Mulcahy's inaugural speech in the ACT Legislative Assembly which states " Our personal experience with the Canberra hospital system has, on occasions, left a great deal to be desired; and my personal frustration with the incapacity of our local public primary school to provide dedicated teachers for each of the classes for our children contributed to my decision to contest the most recent ACT election. That system, incidentally, is now canvassing the idea of having three classes of pupils assigned to one teacher."]

He is on the record as saying that it should be possible for the people of the ACT to enjoy quality core services without having to endure a heavy tax burden.

He is committed to efficiency in Government and has introduced several pieces of legislation to provide taxation relief for the people of Canberra. [http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/b/db_32148/default.asp]

Richard Mulcahy has also remained committed to working hard in the electorate. By the ACT Government’s own admission he has produced more case work on behalf of constituents than any other non-government member.

Early career

Originally from Tasmania, Richard Mulcahy has enjoyed a highly successful career in business and other roles before entering politics.

He was the Principal Personal Assistant to the former Premier of Victoria, the late Sir Rupert Hamer and has also advised a number of other Parliamentary figures.

He also served in Chief Executive roles with the Confectionery Manufacturers of Australia and the Australian Hotels Association. He was a Director (Dental Programs- Worldwide) of the William Wrigley Jr. Company based in Chicago, USA. [Taken from hard copy of Who’s Who in Australia 2008, XLIV Edition 2008, Pearce, Suzanne (ed), Crown content, North Melbourne, 2008, p1541]

ACT Legislative Assembly

Mulcahy entered the Legislative Assembly in 2004 as a Member of the Liberal Party. A strong campaign resulted in the highest vote of all Liberal candidates in the electorate of Molonglo. He out-polled current Liberal Leader Zed Seselja easily [http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections/2004/molonglo_04.html] and was seen instantly by members of the public and media as a candidate for the Liberal leadership.

Recognising his strong business background, Mulcahy was immediately appointed to the critical Shadow Treasury position. He also held an array of other portfolios, including Shadow Minister for the Arts, Ageing, Industrial Relations, Heritage, Environment and Water and Territory Owned Corporations.

In May 2006, Bill Stefaniak replaced the unpopular Brendan Smyth as the ACT Leader of the Opposition. Richard Mulcahy was appointed as Deputy Leader – a position he held until a factional coup in November of that year. [http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/political/stefaniak-dumps-deputy-act-libs-plunge-further-into-crisis/156100.aspx]

Throughout his time in the Liberal Party serious tensions existed between two factions – those loyal to former Leader Brendan Smyth, who had steered the Party to a crushing defeat in 2004, and those committed to the development of the Liberal Party as a viable alternative Government.

In December 2007, Richard Mulcahy was removed from the front bench on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations made against him that were later dismissed in a Court judgement handed down in February 2008. He responded angrily and contemptuously at the behaviour of his colleagues and was expelled from the Parliamentary Party at the behest of the Smyth led faction. He subsequently resigned from the Liberal Party to serve as an Independent. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/10/2114553.htm] [http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections/2004/elected_04.html]

AHA saga

At the basis of Mulcahy’s split from the Liberal Party were allegations made about the management of the Australian Hotels Association during his tenure as National Executive Director.

The allegations, made by one Branch of the organisation and disputed by all other AHA Branches and the current national management of the AHA were comprehensively dismissed by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

The Vice President of the Commission said: “I do not believe that there are reasonable grounds for believing that any rule of the organisation or any regulatory requirement has been breached. I have not formed the belief that would require me to refer the matter to the Industrial Registrar for investigation under s 278 or any other provision of the Act. [http://www.airc.gov.au/AIRISYS/isysquery/8081127a-9287-46d9-82bc-1fa3d98a23a5/5/doc/]

2008 election

Mulcahy has committed to continuing to represent the people of Molonglo past the 2008 election. He has received considerable public support from the Canberra community and has stated that he is confident of getting re-elected.In June 2008 Richard Mulcahy launched The Canberra Party and committed to standing for the 2008 election. [http://www.citynews.com.au/index.php/content/article/mulcahys_new_party/]

References