Mark Vaile

{{short description|Australian politician, 12th deputy prime minister of Australia}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Mark Vaile

| honorific-suffix = AO

| image = Mark Vaile (TM).jpg

| caption =

| office1 = Deputy Prime Minister of Australia

| term_start1 = 6 July 2005

| term_end1 = 3 December 2007

| primeminister1 = John Howard

| predecessor1 = John Anderson

| successor1 = Julia Gillard

| office2 = Leader of the National Party

| deputy2 = Warren Truss

| term_start2 = 23 June 2005

| term_end2 = 3 December 2007

| predecessor2 = John Anderson

| successor2 = Warren Truss

| office3 = Deputy Leader of the National Party

| term_start3 = 1 July 1999

| term_end3 = 23 June 2005

| leader3 = John Anderson

| predecessor3 = John Anderson

| successor3 = Warren Truss

| office4 = Minister for Transport and Regional Development

| term_start4 = 25 September 1997

| term_end4 = 21 October 1998

| primeminister4 = John Howard

| predecessor4 = John Sharp

| successor4 = John Anderson

| term_start5 = 29 September 2006

| term_end5 = 3 December 2007

| primeminister5 = John Howard

| predecessor5 = Warren Truss

| successor5 = Anthony Albanese

| office6 = Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

| term_start6 = 21 October 1998

| term_end6 = 19 July 1999

| primeminister6 = John Howard

| predecessor6 = John Anderson

| successor6 = Warren Truss

| office7 = Minister for Trade and Investment

| term_start7 = 20 July 1999

| term_end7 = 19 September 2006

| primeminister7 = John Howard

| predecessor7 = Tim Fischer

| successor7 = Warren Truss

| constituency_MP8 = Lyne

| parliament8 = Australian

| predecessor8 = Bruce Cowan

| successor8 = Rob Oakeshott

| term_start8 = 13 March 1993

| term_end8 = 30 July 2008

| birth_name = Mark Anthony James Vaile

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|04|18|df=y}}

| birth_place = Sydney

| nationality = Australian

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = National Party of Australia

| residence = {{NSWcity|Taree}}, New South Wales

}}

Mark Anthony James Vaile {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}} (born 18 April 1956) is an Australian former politician who served as the 12th deputy prime minister of Australia and the leader of the National Party of Australia from 2005 to 2007, during the final years of the Howard government. Vaile is currently a non-executive director of a number of public listed corporations.

Early life

Vaile was born in Sydney and worked as a farm machinery retailer and stock and station and real-estate agent before entering politics. He was a member of the Greater Taree City Council 1985–93, including three years as deputy mayor.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/vaile-takes-over-nationals/2005/06/23/1119321850644.html |title=Vaile takes over Nationals|work=The Age|date=23 June 2005|agency=AAP|access-date=13 October 2013}}

Parliamentary career

Vaile was a member of the Australian House of Representatives between March 1993 and July 2008, representing the Division of Lyne in New South Wales. In his first bid for the seat, in the 1993 election, Vaile led over the Liberals by only 233 votes on the third count, despite the seat's long history as a National stronghold. Labor had taken a large first-count lead which it held for most of the night, but Vaile won after Liberal preferences flowed overwhelmingly to him. However, had 120 votes gone the other way, the Liberals would have taken the seat.{{cite web| url = http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2008/lyne/| title = 2008 Lyne By-election - ABC Elections (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)| website = Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date = 14 February 2024}} Vaile was able to revert the seat to its traditional status as a safe National seat in 1996, and he would go on to hold the seat without serious difficulty from then onward.

He was Assistant National Party Whip 1994–96 and National Party Whip 1996–97. In 1997 he was appointed Minister for Transport and Regional Development, and in 1998 he became Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. In July 1999, following the resignation of Tim Fischer and the election of John Anderson as National Party leader, he was elected the party's Deputy Leader and became Minister for Trade. When John Anderson resigned in 2005, Vaile was elected Leader unopposed. On 6 July 2005 he was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister.

As Trade Minister, Vaile was involved in the negotiation of the US–Australia Free Trade Agreement, which was opposed by some traditional National Party constituencies such as the sugar industry.

There was much controversy over the intellectual property chapter of the US–Australia Free Trade Agreement. The chapter contains elements modelled on the Sonny Bono Copyright Term extension Act 1998 (US) and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act 1998 (US) In December 2003, Trade Minister Mark Vaile pledged to defend the copyright term in Australia: "It is a very important issue, particularly in terms of cost to libraries, educational institutions and the like here in Australia." Two months later, Australia agreed to a copyright term extension, as part of the deal with the United States. There was also much criticism of the adoption of a US-style technological protection measures – particularly as the High Court of Australia was considering the matter of Stevens v Sony. There was also controversy over the evergreening of pharmaceutical drug patents and access to essential medicines under the US–Australia Free Trade Agreement.

During 2005 he also conducted negotiations for the proposed Australia–China Free Trade Agreement. In late 2005 he had an operation to remove a malignant melanoma from his back.{{cite news

|title=Deputy PM back at work

|work=Manning River Times

|date=8 November 2005 |url=http://taree.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&category=general%20news&story_id=436850&y=2005&m=11

|access-date=16 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312081541/http://taree.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&category=general%20news&story_id=436850&y=2005&m=11

|archive-date=12 March 2007 |url-status = dead

}}

Since Vaile took on the leadership of the Nationals in 2005, there were increasing suggestions for Vaile to take on a domestic portfolio as the trade portfolio requires frequent overseas travel. Throughout 2006, Vaile's position in the trade portfolio came under increasing scrutiny due to his handling of the AWB kickbacks scandal and Australia's worsening trade performance. He also faced the difficult task of placating his back bench, with Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce having crossed the floor on more than one occasion. On 24 September 2006 he switched portfolios with deputy Nationals leader Warren Truss and became Minister for Transport and Regional Services. His new position had a greater focus on regional Australia, the Nationals party's main constituency.

Following the coalition's defeat at the 2007 federal election, Vaile resigned his position as Nationals leader and moved to the backbench.{{cite news|title=New shock as Vaile quits|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 November 2007|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/federal-election-2007/new-shock-as-vaile-quits/2007/11/26/1196036785226.html|access-date=26 November 2007 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-11-26/vaile-stands-down/969140|title=Vaile stands down|work=ABC News|location=Australia|date=26 November 2007|access-date=13 October 2013}} His resignation surprised his colleagues as he had been expected to be re-elected unopposed following the election.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nationals-decide-it-is-a-matter-of-truss-20071204-gdrqov.html|title=Nationals decide it is a matter of Truss|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 December 2007|access-date=21 August 2022}} On 19 July 2008 Vaile announced his forthcoming resignation from Parliament; he submitted it on 30 July.{{cite news|url=http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/agribusiness/general-news/vaile-calls-it-a-day/1060564.aspx|title=Vaile calls it a day|date=20 July 2008|work=The Land|access-date=13 October 2013|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014182326/http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/agribusiness/general-news/vaile-calls-it-a-day/1060564.aspx|archive-date=14 October 2013}} The ensuing by-election was won by independent Rob Oakeshott, the former state member for Port Macquarie and a former Vaile staffer.{{cite news|url=http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/agribusiness/general-news/stoner-says-no-to-running-in-vailes-lyne/1229536.aspx|title=Stoner says no to running in Vaile's Lyne|date=29 July 2008|work=The Land|access-date=13 October 2013|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014175708/http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/agribusiness/general-news/stoner-says-no-to-running-in-vailes-lyne/1229536.aspx|archive-date=14 October 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/site-archive/rural/content/2008/s2359506.htm|title=National Party loses Mark Vaile seat|author=Honan, Kim|date=9 September 2008|work=Landline|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 October 2013}}

Post-parliament career

In September 2008, Vaile was appointed to the board of Virgin Australia Holdings.{{cite news |first=Steve|last=Creedy|title=Mark Vaile lands seat on Virgin Blue board|url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/vaile-lands-seat-on-virgin-blue-board/story-e6frg95x-1111117556226|work=The Australian|date= 23 September 2008|access-date=23 October 2008 }} He was replaced by Angus Houston in December 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/sir-angus-houston-joins-virgin-aust-board |title=Sir Angus Houston joins Virgin Aust board |date=12 December 2019 |access-date=26 May 2019 |newspaper=SBS News}}

Vaile is also the independent chairman and a non-executive director of Whitehaven Coal,{{cite web|url=http://www.whitehavencoal.com.au/about_us/board_of_directors.cfm|title=Board of Directors|publisher=Whitehaven Coal Limited|year=2013|access-date=13 October 2013|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016054704/http://www.whitehavencoal.com.au/about_us/board_of_directors.cfm|archive-date=16 October 2013}} non-executive director of Palisade Investment Partners, a specialist independent infrastructure manager;{{cite web|url=http://www.palisadepartners.com.au/our-team/hon-mark-vaile-ao|title=Hon. Mark Vaile AO|publisher=Palisade Investment Partners|access-date=20 May 2019}} a non-executive director of Hostplus,{{cite web|title=Mark Vaile|url=http://hostplusexecutive.com.au/about-us/our-people/mark-vaille|work=Our people|publisher=Hostplus|year=2013|access-date=13 October 2013|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014211901/http://hostplusexecutive.com.au/about-us/our-people/mark-vaille|archive-date=14 October 2013}} a non-executive director of Servcorp;{{cite press release|title=Mark Vaile joins Servcorp Limited Board|url=http://www.servcorp.com.au/media/11194/director_appointment_mark_vaile_27_jun_2011.pdf|publisher=Servcorp Limited|date=27 June 2011|access-date=13 October 2013}} a director of the Singapore-listed Stamford Land Corporation;{{cite web|title=Board of Directors|url=http://stamfordland.listedcompany.com/directors.html|publisher=Stamford Land Corporation Ltd|year=2013|access-date=13 October 2013}} and Chairman of 123 Childcare, an education provider in the People's Republic of China.{{cite web|url=http://www.123ed.cn/?page_id=472|title=Board of Directors|work=Our leadership|publisher=123 AustChina Education Consultancy (Beijing) Ltd|year=2011|access-date=13 October 2013|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107102707/http://www.123ed.cn/?page_id=472|archive-date=7 January 2016}}

In June 2021 it was announced that Vaile would succeed Paul Jeans as Chancellor of the University of Newcastle.{{Cite web|website=The University of Newcastle|date=4 June 2021|title=Former Deputy PM named 8th University of Newcastle Chancellor|url=https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured/former-deputy-pm-named-8th-university-of-newcastle-chancellor}} However following a backlash over his links to the coal industry, Vaile did not take up the post.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/21/mark-vaile-wont-be-next-newcastle-university-chancellor-following-backlash-over-coal-links Mark Vaile won’t be next Newcastle university chancellor following backlash over coal links] The Guardian 21 June 2021

Honours

On 1 January 2001, Vaile was awarded the Centenary Medal for "service as Minister for Trade".{{cite web|title=Mark Anthony Vaile|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1126305|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=11 June 2012}} In 2012 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, through support for rural and regional communities, to the pursuit of global trade and investment opportunities, and to the citizens of the Taree region.{{cite web|title=Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia – The Queen's Birthday 2012 Honours Lists |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/res/file/2012/honours/qb2012/Media%20Notes%20AO%20(final).pdf |publisher=Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia |page=[http://www.gg.gov.au/res/file/2012/honours/qb2012/Media%20Notes%20AO%20(final).pdf#page=41 41] |date=11 June 2012 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617004657/http://www.gg.gov.au/res/file/2012/honours/qb2012/Media%20Notes%20AO%20%28final%29.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2012 }}

Personal

A Roman Catholic, Vaile is married with three children.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/christopher-pearson-catholics-flock-to-cabinet/story-e6frg6zo-1111112933527|author=Pearson, Christopher|author-link=Christopher Pearson (journalist)|title=Opinion: Catholics flock to cabinet|work=The Australian|date=3 February 2007|access-date=13 October 2013}} He lives on a {{Convert|40|ha|acre|-1|adj=on}} rural property outside Taree, New South Wales.

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20110605030101/http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/firstspeech.asp?id=SU5 Mark Vaile's Maiden Speech in the House of Representatives]
{{cite journal|author=Edstein, Tracey |url=http://www.mn.catholic.org.au/newsroom/auroraissues/aurora56_p7story.htm |title=Trademark Thoughts |journal=Aurora |publisher=Roman Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle |date= December 2005 – January 2006 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824154722/http://www.mn.catholic.org.au/newsroom/auroraissues/aurora56_p7story.htm |archive-date=24 August 2006 }}

{{S-ttl| title = Minister for Transport and Regional Development | years = 1997–1999}}

{{S-ttl| title = Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | years = 1998–1999 }}

{{S-ttl| title = Minister for Transport and Regional Services | years=2006–2007}}

{{S-ttl| title=Deputy Prime Minister of Australia | years=2005–2007}}

{{S-ttl| title=Leader of the National Party of Australia | years=2005–2007}}

{{S-ttl| title=Deputy Leader of the
National Party of Australia | years=1999–2005}}

Category:1956 births

Category:Australian monarchists

Category:Australian Roman Catholics

Category:Deputy prime ministers of Australia

Category:Leaders of the National Party of Australia

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives

Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Lyne

Category:Members of the Cabinet of Australia

Category:National Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia

Category:Officers of the Order of Australia

Category:Politicians from Sydney

Category:Australian MPs 1993–1996

Category:Australian MPs 1996–1998

Category:Australian MPs 1998–2001

Category:Australian MPs 2001–2004

Category:Australian MPs 2004–2007

Category:Australian MPs 2007–2010