Jim Elder (politician)

James Peter Elder (born 14 December 1950) is a former Australian politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1989 to 2001, representing Manly until 1992 and Capalaba thereafter. Originally elected as a Labor member and serving as Deputy Premier in the Beattie Government, Elder resigned from the party on 30 November 2000.

The Hon Jim Elder
27th Deputy Premier of Queensland
In office 26 June 1998 – 22 November 2000
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Joan Sheldon
Succeeded by	Paul Braddy
Minister for State Development and Trade
In office 26 June 1998 – 22 November 2000
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Doug Slack
Succeeded by	Peter Beattie
Shadow Minister for Business and Industry
In office 17 December 1996 – 26 June 1998
Leader	Peter Beattie
Shadow Minister for Transport
In office 27 February 1996 – 26 June 1998
Leader	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Vaughan Johnson
Succeeded by	Vaughan Johnson
Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Queensland
In office 19 February 1996 – 22 November 2000
Leader	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Tom Burns
Succeeded by	Terry Mackenroth
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Queensland
In office 19 February 1996 – 26 June 1998
Leader	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Joan Sheldon
Succeeded by	David Watson
Minister for Transport
In office 31 July 1995 – 19 February 1996
Premier	Wayne Goss
Preceded by	Ken Hayward
Succeeded by	Vaughan Johnson
Minister for Health
In office 21 February 1995 – 31 July 1995
Premier	Wayne Goss
Preceded by	Ken Hayward
Succeeded by	Peter Beattie
Minister for Business, Industry and Regional Development
In office 24 September 1992 – 21 February 1995
Premier	Wayne Goss
Preceded by	Geoff Smith
Succeeded by	Warren Pitt
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Capalaba Manly (1989–1992)
In office 2 December 1989 – 17 February 2001
Preceded by	Eric Shaw
Succeeded by	Michael Choi
Personal details
Born	James Peter Elder (1950-12-14) 14 December 1950 Melbourne, Australia
Political party	Labor
Other political affiliations	Independent
Children	3
Occupation	Company Manager

Early life

Elder was born in Melbourne. Before his election he was the Queensland manager for an access and scaffolding company, and was the first team manager for the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team.

Political career

Having been elected in 1989, he was appointed Minister for Business, Industry and Regional Development in 1992, serving until 1995. From February to July of that year he was Minister for Health, and moved to Transport until the Goss Government left office in February 1996.

After the resignation of the Goss government and the ALP moving to the opposition benches, he became deputy opposition leader, holding the portfolio of Transport, Youth, Sport and Recreation; his responsibilities were changed to Business, Industry and Transport in December 1996.

Following the election of the Beattie government in 1998 he became Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development and Trade.

He resigned in November 2000 to contest allegations made by the Shepherdson Inquiry from which no charges resulted. <Shepherdson Inquiry 2001 Findings> Serving out the remainder of his term as an Independent MP, he did not contest the 2001 state election.