Terry Metherell

Terry Alan Metherell (born 9 January 1947) is an Australian former politician who represented the Electoral district of Davidson in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1981 to 1992. When the Liberal Party won the 1988 election, Premier Nick Greiner appointed him Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, a portfolio he held until 1990. In October 1991, he resigned from the Liberal party and remained in Parliament until his resignation to take up an offer of a public service job. This offer led to the downfall of Greiner, who was found to have corruptly offered the position to force a by-election in Metherell’s district.

Early life Metherell was born in England in 1947 and migrated to Australia when he was eight years old. He was educated at Caringbah High School and the University of Sydney, where he first graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Diploma of Education (DipEd). Metherell then gained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), majoring in Australian Political History.

Early political career Joining the Liberal Party in 1975, Metherell joined the Burwood Branch and was appointed research assistant and later private secretary to the Member for Wentworth and Attorney General of Australia, Robert Ellicott QC from 1975 until 1977. Metherell was then made private secretary to the Minister for Education, Senator John Carrick, and then from 1979 to 1981 in his role as Minister for National Development and Energy. Metherell was also a member of the State Executive of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1979 to 1981.

Aspects of the Act were initially unpopular. Charges of tax avoidance forced his resignation from the Ministry in 1990. However there was speculation that he would be re-appointed to the ministry when the Greiner government was re-elected in 1991. Between 6 June 1991 and 2 October 1991 Metherell was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, with special responsibility for urban affairs, and was named as a Member of the University of Sydney Senate (1991–1992).

The "Metherell Affair" and resignation At the 1991 election, the Coalition lost 10 seats to Labor, leaving it one seat short of a majority. The Coalition was able to form a minority government with the support of the four independents in the legislature. Under the circumstances, any chances of Metherell returning to Cabinet were quashed. Feeling betrayed and rejected from his party, on 2 October 1991 Metherell resigned from the Liberal Party live on the ABC's 7.30 Report, without having given his colleagues notice: "Special leadership qualities are required in a time of great economic and social stress. Barton, Deakin, Curtin and Menzies had such qualities. This government has lost its way. The Premier seems unable to reach out and take the community into his confidence. He offers no clear vision that will lift the people in this time of deep recession".

When the government lost The Entrance by-election to Labor candidate Grant McBride, negotiations with Metherell began. Metherell had expressed his interest in one of the Directorships at the new Environmental Protection Authority to neighbouring Liberal member for Wakehurst, Brad Hazzard. Hazzard then discussed this with Premier Greiner and Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, at Greiner's residence in February 1992. Greiner and Hazzard then discussed the matter with Metherell while in Parliament ten days later. From the time of these meetings until Metherell's resignation, Metherell reconciled with his former party, supporting the government in parliament, changing his vote to support the "Timber Industry (Interim Protection) Bill" and supported Greiner's "Vision" statement, which had drawn criticism from the Parliament.

The government subsequently created a job for Metherell, a position with the Environment Protection Agency. Metherell accepted the offer and resigned from Parliament, effectively engineering a vacancy in a seat that was very likely to revert to the Liberals at a by-election. At the May 1992 by-election the Labor Party did not nominate a candidate, but a field of Independents and minor parties reduced the Liberal vote by 16%, and 14% after preferences, nevertheless won by Liberal candidate Andrew Humpherson. The four independents threatened to support a Labor no-confidence motion if Greiner stayed in office, forcing Greiner and the Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, to resign. These findings were eventually ruled by the Supreme Court of New South Wales as being outside the powers of the ICAC to make. Metherell never took up the offered job. He now dedicates his time to the Manly–Warringah Historical Society and various other local associations.