Mike Horan


Michael James Horan, AM is a former Australian politician who represented the seat of Toowoomba South in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 18 May 1991 to 24 March 2012. Originally he was a member of the National Party of Australia, but follow its merger he is now a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland until his retirement.

Political career

Horan entered politics at the 1991 by-election. He replaced property developer and Toowoomba Mayor Clive Berghofer, who had previously held the seat for the National Party until the state's electoral laws were amended to prevent simultaneous service in state parliamentary and local government authority positions. Mike Horan served as Health Minister in the Borbidge Government 1996–98
Horan was made leader of the National Party and Opposition from 2 March 2001 until 4 February 2003 after Rob Borbidge's retirement from politics. He was replaced as leader by Lawrence Springborg after he failed to gain ground on Peter Beattie.
He became a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland in 2008 and served in the Queensland Parliament as Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for Justice and Racing, Shadow Minister for Open Government between 30 September 2008 and 5 April 2009. On 6 April 2009, he was appointed to the position of Opposition Whip.
Horan stood down at the 2012 state election.

Prior to parliament

Prior to entering parliament, Horan was employed as the General Manager of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland and General Manager of the Toowoomba Greyhound Racing Club.

Personal life

Horan captained the Australian Universities rugby union team, and played for the Parramatta Eels rugby league team in Sydney from 1968 to 1970, before moving to Gympie, Queensland to run a dairy farm.
Horan is married with two sons and a daughter. His son, Tim Horan, is a former Australian rugby union footballer.