Vince Lester

Vincent Patrick Lester (28 July 1939 – 17 August 2026) was an Australian politician.

He was a National Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1974 to 2004, representing in succession the electorates of Belyando, Peak Downs and then Keppel.

He served as a minister in several National Party governments throughout his career, having first been promoted in 1983 as part of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen's cabinet. Over the following six years, he served variously as Minister for Employment, Training, Small Business, Consumer Affairs, Industrial Affairs and Police.

Early life Lester's father, who managed a cattle station near Quilpie, died when Lester was a young boy.

At the age of 18, Lester commenced an apprenticeship as a baker. Upon completing his apprenticeship, he managed a one-man bakery in the Central Queensland township of Duaringa where he stayed for two years. Goss urged premier Russell Cooper to immediately sack Lester, stating: “Surely even Mr Cooper cannot retain a police minister who has expressed such an outrageous sentiment against the Fitzgerald Report”.

When the seat of Peak Downs was also abolished, Lester successfully contested the seat of Keppel on the Capricorn Coast, narrowly beating Labor candidate Robert Schwarten at the 1992 Queensland state election with Lester winning on preferences despite Schwarten receiving more primary votes.

Throughout his career, Lester became known for being outspoken on numerous issues.

After entering state parliament, Lester agitated for new building regulations in Queensland which would ensure doors to toilet cubicles in new buildings could swing outwards instead of inwards. Lester argued that this would make it easier for those who needed urgent medical attention to receive help without rescuers being hindered by the lack of easy access.

In 1994, Lester advocated for the introduction of flogging as a form of corporal punishment for those convicted of assault, rape and burglary. Lester's proposal was criticised by Queensland's Civil Liberties Council with vice-president Terry O'Gorman accusing Lester of taking a superficial approach to the issue of crime.

Lester also advocated for tax incentives for those people wanting to quit smoking. He wrote to federal health minister Graham Richardson advocating for the federal government to add the cost of anti-smoking incentives to the national health scheme. Lester also suggested pensioners be provided with anti-smoking aids such as nicotine gum.

Walking backwards One of Lester's most memorable feats during his time as a state MP was his achievement in 1977 of walking 24 kilometres backwards to raise money for Clermont's local rugby league club which was struggling financially. Lester had become aware of the club's plight after attending a meeting with the intention of obtaining the money the club owed his bakery. On this occasion, Lester raised $1000 for the Emu Park Preservation Society.

Recognition Lester received a Centenary Medal on 1 January 2001 for "service to Australian society through parliament". He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2006 Australia Day Honours for "service to the community through the Queensland Parliament and to local government".

In 2018, Lester was presented with a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his extensive community service including 50 years with Rotary International.

The Vince Lester Bridge in Emerald and Vince Lester Walking Circuit in Rockhampton are named in Lester's honour. His death prompted various community members to share tributes, celebrating Lester's legacy.

Lester’s funeral will be held at St Thomas More’s Catholic Parish in Toowoomba on 28 August 2026, commencing with a requiem mass.