Jeremy Hanson

Jeremy David Hanson CSC MLA (born 18 February 1967) is an Australian politician and former Australian Army officer who has served as Speaker since 2025 and a member for Murrumbidgee since 2016 in the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly.

Hanson is a member of the Liberal Party, and was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly as one of seven MLAs for the Molonglo electorate at the 2008 election.^[2][3] He was the Opposition Leader in the ACT, as well as Shadow Minister for Health, Police, Corrections and Indigenous Affairs, between February 2013 and October 2016.^[4][5] In 2016, following a redistricting of the ACT's electorates and an expansion in size of the Legislative Assembly, he was elected as one of five MLAs for the new electorate of Murrumbidgee.

Following the resignation of fellow Murrumbidgee Liberal MLA, Giulia Jones, Hanson was elected as Deputy Leader of the Canberra Liberals in February 2022.^[6] On 4 December 2023, Hanson was dumped as deputy leader and replaced by Leanne Castley.^[7]

He returned to the deputy leadership following the 2024 election under leader Leanne Castley, before they both resigned in 2025 and he was replaced by Deborah Morris.

Military career

The son of a Royal Air Force officer who was posted to Canberra in 1979, Hanson completed his schooling in Queensland and joined the Australian Army in 1986; graduating from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1987.^[4] He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of New England and a master's degree in Management and Defence Studies from the University of Canberra. Before his election, Hanson served for 22 years in the Army, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.^[8]

He was deployed to East Timor and Iraq, and earned the Conspicuous Service Cross^[9] for his work at Army headquarters.^[1] In addition, Hanson has been awarded the following medals:^[10]

• ADF Gold Commendation
• Australian Active Service Medal with clasps Iraq 2003 and East Timor
• Iraq Medal
• Defence Long Service Medal with 1st clasp
• Defence Medal
• United Nations Medal with UNTAET Ribbon
• Return from Active Service Badge
• Army Combat Badge

Political views

Hanson has been described as having conservative views, and is a member of the Right faction of the Liberal Party.^[11] Hanson has been considered a major figure in modern conservatism in Canberra, along with former party president John Cziesla and former party leader and former Senator Zed Seselja.^[12] have claimed that Hanson's ousting as the Canberra Liberals' deputy leader was influenced by a growing rejection of social conservatism and right-wing populism in the party in favour of a more Moderate approach.^[7]

Despite being aligned with the party's conservative wing, Hanson supports same-sex marriage.^[13]

Hanson opposed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal and endorsed the No campaign in the 2023 referendum on the matter.^[14]

Personal life

Hanson is married to Fleur, and they live in with sons William (from Hanson's first marriage) and Robbie. Hanson has dual British-Australian citizenship.^[15]

See also

• 2016 Australian Capital Territory election

References

1. ^ Towell, Noel (16 February 2013). "Ready for fight of his life". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
2. ^ "List of elected candidates – 2008 Election". Elections ACT. ACT Government. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
3. ^ "Jeremy Hanson MLA". Canberra Liberals. Liberal Party of Australia. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
4. ^ Sim, Melanie & Corbett, Kate (11 February 2013). "Canberra Liberals choose Jeremy Hanson to lead". 666 ABC Canberra. ABC News. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
5. ^ "Canberra Liberals name Alistair Coe as new leader". ABC News. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
6. ^ "Jeremy Hanson elected as new ACT Deputy Opposition Leader". February 2022.
7. ^ "Jeremy Hanson dumped as deputy leader of ACT Liberals". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 December 2023.
8. ^ "Liberal candidate Hanson seeks to serve at home". The Canberra Times. 28 September 2008.^{[dead link]}
9. ^ "Hanson official website". Retrieved 14 September 2014.^{[self-published source?]}
10. ^ "Jeremy Hanson". Member profile. Legislative Assembly for the ACT. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
11. ^ "Canberra Liberals spill position of deputy leader, dumping Jeremy Hanson in favour of Leanne Castley - ABC News". Australian Broadcasting Corporation
12. ^ "'It was a shitshow': Liberals prefer empty chair to oust party president in rowdy AGM cleanout of old guard"
13. ^ "Liberal leader Jeremy Hanson says it's time to legalise same-sex marriage". 4 June 2015.
14. ^ "Why Jeremy Hanson MLA is voting NO on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 April 2023.
15. ^ "Canberra's parliament is full of dual citizens (But you're looking the wrong way)". 6 October 2017.

External links

• "Jeremy Hanson". Member profile. Legislative Assembly for the ACT. 26 November 2013.