Introduction
Michael John Randal MacKellar AM (27 October 1938 – 9 May 2015) was an Australian politician, the Liberal Member for Warringah from 1969 until 1994.
Biography
MacKellar was born in Moree, New South Wales and was an agricultural scientist before he entered politics. He was first elected to Parliament in 1969, taking over from the controversial Edward St. John. In December 1975, MacKellar was first appointed to the front bench as the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, a position he held until 1979, when he became Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister. In Opposition, MacKellar acted as Shadow Minister for Science.
MacKellar attracted some controversy over his handling of an incident involving the improper importation of a colour television set. In 1982, a ministerial staffer submitted an incorrect excise customs declaration form when arranging for the set to be imported. When this was discovered, a fellow Minister, John Moore, attempted a cover-up. Moore and MacKellar both accepted responsibility and resigned as Ministers.
MacKellar resigned from Parliament on 18 February 1994, causing a by-election that was subsequently won by future Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
After leaving politics MacKellar became Chairman of the Australia New Zealand Food Authority in 1998. He also acted as Chief Operations Officer of the Baker Medical Research Institute and Chief Executive Officer of the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association. MacKellar also served as the president of the Melbourne-based National Ageing Research Institute.
Personal life
Mackellar had three children, one of whom was autistic. His daughter Maggie was the subject of an episode of ABC TV's Australian Story.
He died on 9 May 2015 at the age of 76.
He was given a state funeral on 15 May 2015 at St John's Anglican Church, Toorak, VIC.