Chris Miles

Christopher Gordon Miles (born 21 August 1947) is an Australian former politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1984 to 1998, representing the Tasmanian seat of Braddon. He served as parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister John Howard and was a prominent social conservative within the Liberal Party, chairing the conservative Lyons Forum ginger group. Prior to entering politics, he worked as a schoolteacher.

Early life Miles was born on 21 August 1947 in Ulverstone, Tasmania. He grew up on the family potato farm. Miles holds the degrees of Bachelor of Education from the University of South Africa and Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania, as well as a diploma in teaching from the latter. He taught at government schools in Tasmania, New South Wales, and the ACT, After the Coalition won the 1996 election, Miles was appointed parliamentary secretary (cabinet) to John Howard as prime minister. He held the position until losing his seat in 1998. He was subsequently elected as the forum's chairman. The Canberra Times wrote in 1994 that he was "avowedly against the practice of anal sex (male or female)". He was also quoted as supporting the teaching of creationism alongside evolution. He was re-appointed to another five-year term in 2004. At the time of the announcement he was managing director of Gaunts Holdings Australia.

In 2016, during public debate over the legalisation of same-sex marriage, it was reported that Miles planned to distribute "millions of copies of a pamphlet claiming children of same-sex couples may be more likely to be victims of sexual abuse, abuse drugs or suffer depression".

Personal life Miles had two children with his wife Roslyn.