Michael Hodgman

William Michael Hodgman AM QC (16 November 193819 June 2013) was an Australian politician and lawyer. He was a member of the Liberal Party and served as Minister for the Capital Territory in the Fraser government from 1980 to 1983. He was active in both state and federal politics, serving in the Tasmanian Legislative Council (1966–1974), Australian House of Representatives (1975–1987), and Tasmanian House of Assembly (1992–1998, 2002–2010). His son, Will Hodgman, was Premier of Tasmania for six years, until his resignation in January 2020.

Early career and education Michael Hodgman was born at Hobart, Tasmania, in 1938. He was educated at The Hutchins School and the University of Tasmania, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1962. Whilst at university, Hodgman served as vice president of the Tasmania University Law Society and editor of the university newspaper Togatus.

Legal career After graduation, Hodgman was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Tasmania and served as associate to the Rt Hon. Sir Victor Windeyer of the High Court of Australia from 1962 to 1963. He then worked as a Legal Officer for Hydro Tasmania from 1965 to 1966. He was a committee member of the Tasmanian Bar Council from 1969 to 1974, including a period as vice president from 1972 to 1973. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1984.

Throughout his career, Hodgman largely specialised in criminal law, and represented a number of high-profile clients, including Mark "Chopper" Read.

Parliamentary career Hodgman first entered politics in 1966 as member for the Tasmanian Legislative Council seat of Huon. He held this position until 1974 when he stood down to run for the Federal electorate of Denison. He was unsuccessful, but won the seat at his second attempt at the 1975 election, and held the seat until 1987, when he was defeated by Duncan Kerr from the Australian Labor Party. He served as Minister for the Capital Territory and Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Commerce in the Fraser government from 1980 to 1983.

In 1992 Hodgman returned to state politics in the lower house electorate of Denison, which he held until defeated in 1998, when the size of parliament was reduced from 35 to 25 members. He regained the position in 2001 after a recount of votes due to the retirement of Ray Groom. In the 2002 state election he retained his seat, at the expense of his colleague and leader Bob Cheek.

Hodgman was well known for his strong support for retaining Australia's Constitutional monarchy.

Death He died in a nursing home in Hobart in 2013. He had terminal emphysema and Alzheimer's disease.

Honours and awards