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Mark Stuart Parton (born 24 September 1966) is an Australian politician, and current Speaker of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. He has been a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly since 2016, representing the electorate of Brindabella. He was a long-running local radio announcer on 2CC before entering politics.

Political views

On 19 April 2023, Parton became one of two ACT Liberals to announce his support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, putting him at odds with his party colleague Jeremy Hanson and federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton. He had previously leaned towards a No vote in the referendum though changed his mind after discussions with the Noongar communities in Western Australia. Parton himself has Noongar heritage, but " not identify as Aboriginal".

Personal life

Parton was born on 24 September 1966 in York, Western Australia. He is married, with three children and three step-children.

Before entering parliament, he ran a marketing business. He had worked in commercial radio for 30 years, starting at age 17 in 6AM in Northam, Western Australia, and working in several different states, with the last 16 years in breakfast programs in Canberra on 2CC.

He has long been aware of having Aboriginal heritage, but in 2022 researched his family history to find the details.

Parton has admitted to having a caffeine addiction.

Parton is a frequent user of the social media platform TikTok, and was briefly ejected from ACT's parliament after releasing a video that was alleged to breach parliamentary filming rules.

References

1. ^ "Mark Parton". www.parliament.act.gov.au. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
2. "Mark Parton". Canberra Liberals. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
3. Green, Antony (25 October 2016). "Brindabella - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
4. "Canberra Liberals MLA Mark Parton says he will vote yes to an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, putting him at odds with party colleague". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
5. ^ "About Mark". Canberal Liberals. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
6. "Parton's childhood dream fulfilled". Riotact. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
7. "Mark Parton". CBR City News. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
8. Mark Parton (8 December 2015). "Parton / Goodbye, good mornings". CBR City News. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
9. "Opinion: Mark Parton's Aboriginal journey". Canberra Weekly. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
10. "Which ACT politicians have tried cannabis, MDMA and acid?". The Canberra Times. 24 January 2019.
11. "Mark Parton MLA (@markparton) TikTok | Watch Mark Parton MLA's Newest TikTok Videos". TikTok. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
12. "Liberal politician kicked out of ACT's parliament over three seconds of a TikTok video". ABC News. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2021.

v t e Presiding officers of Australian legislatures
Federal, States and territories
Australia New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory Speaker President House of Rep. Senate Milton Dick (ALP) Sue Lines (ALP) Speaker President Assembly Council Greg Piper (Ind) Ben Franklin (Nat) Speaker Assembly Pat Weir (LNP) Speaker President Assembly Council Leon Bignell (Ind-ALP) Terry Stephens (Lib) Speaker President Assembly Council Michelle O'Byrne (ALP) Craig Farrell (ALP) Speaker President Assembly Council Maree Edwards (ALP) Shaun Leane (ALP) Speaker President Assembly Council Michelle Roberts (ALP) Alanna Clohesy (ALP) Speaker Assembly Mark Parton (LIB) Speaker Assembly Robyn Lambley (IND)

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