Garry Nehl

Garry Owen Barr Nehl, AM (19 February 1934 – 3 October 2023) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1984 to 2001, representing the seat of Cowper for the National Party. He served as deputy speaker from 1996 to 2001. He worked in journalism and public relations before his election to federal parliament and was a leading campaigner for New England statehood at the height of the movement in the 1960s.

Early life Nehl was born on 19 February 1934 in Newcastle, New South Wales. He was the son of Ivy and William Nehl. His father, a moulder by profession, was an Australian Army officer during World War II and served in the Battle of Tobruk.

Nehl attended Sydney Boys' High School from 1946 to 1951. He subsequently worked an office job in Sydney and also served with the Citizen Military Forces from 1952 to 1954. He moved to South West Queensland in 1956 following his marriage, working as a station hand, overseer and manager at his wife's parents' grazing property. He did not complete a university degree, although he studied economics part-time at the University of Sydney, commerce by correspondence at the University of Queensland, and arts at the University of New England.

Nehl held the seat until his retirement in 2001. During his time in the House of Representatives he served as the Deputy Speaker in the 1996 and 1998 Parliaments, the first five years of the John Howard premiership, under three Speakers: Bob Halverson, Ian Sinclair, and Neil Andrew.

Personal life In 1956, Nehl married Suzanne Saul, with whom he had two sons. Outside of politics he served on the board of the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution and as president of the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium.