Perc Tucker

Percy John Robert "Perc" Tucker (5 December 1919 – 20 August 1980) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. He was the leader of the opposition in 1974.

Biography Tucker was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, the son of Percy Clifford Tucker and his wife Beatrice (née Guthrie). He was educated at Rockhampton state and high schools before being employed in Brisbane by the Department of Public Works in 1937. He then worked as a draftsman in Rockhampton and continuing the trade until 1960. From 1948 until 1955 he was a captain in the reserve army. and together had three sons and a daughter. after breaking his arm and died on the operating table whilst under anaesthetic.

Facing an election later that year, Tucker famously vowed to give Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen a "hiding." However, the Queensland ALP was roundly defeated, falling to a "cricket team" of only 11 seats. Tucker himself lost his own seat to National Max Hooper–one of the few instances in which a major-party leader at the federal, state or territory level has been rolled in his own seat.

Tucker wasn't finished with politics however, and in 1976 he was elected the mayor of Townsville, holding the role until his death in 1980. The Perc Tucker Regional Gallery (opened 1981) in Townsville is named in his honour.