Terence Allan "Terry" Griffiths (22 June 1944 – 18 June 2009) was a New South Wales (NSW) state politician from 1988 to 1995, and NSW government minister from 1991 to 1994, whose political career ended in disgrace over sexual harassment, molestation and bullying claims.
Terry Griffiths | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Georges River | |
| In office 22 February 1988 – 3 March 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Walker |
| Succeeded by | Marie Ficarra |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 June 1944 [1] Sydney |
| Died | 18 June 2009 (aged 64) [1] |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party (1988–1994) Independent (1994–1995) |
| Spouse(s) | Jann Mariette Hart m. 1965, diss. Diane von Westernhagen m. 1974, diss. 2000 |
| Children | 1 (f), 1 (s) with Hart; 1 (f), 2 (s) with von Westernhagen |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Australia |
| Branch/service | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1962–1982 |
| Rank | Major |
Political career
editGriffiths joined the Liberal Party of Australia in 1987. In 1988, he was elected as the member for the southern Sydney seat of Georges River in the NSW Legislative Assembly, defeating sitting Labor MP Frank Walker. Following an electorate boundary redistribution, he was re-elected easily in 1991 and became Minister for Justice then, in 1992, Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services.[1] In 1994, Griffiths was forced to resign from both the government ministry and the Liberal Party over claims of sexual harassment.[2] He continued as an independent member of the NSW Legislative Assembly but did not stand for re-election at the 1995 election.[3]
Background and personal life
editGriffiths was born in Marrickville, NSW; his father was Richard Patrick Griffiths, an army officer of the Cadet School Portsea. He was educated at Liverpool Boys High School. In 1962 he was trained at the Officer Cadet School, Portsea and the School of Military Engineering and was commissioned as an army officer. In 1965 he married Jann Mariette Hart, with whom he had two children. He served in South Vietnam 1969–70. He and Jann divorced and, on 19 January 1974, he married Diane Maree von Westernhagen with whom he had three children. Griffiths was an army attache in Washington 1978–81. After reaching the rank of Major, he left the army in 1982. From 1983 to 1988 he was employed as the chief executive officer of The Scout Association of Australia's NSW branch. During his time as chief executive officer of The Scout Association of Australia NSW branch, serial sexual abuse by Scout Association of Australia NSW branch officers took place, including by commissioner and NSW branch council officer, Darryl Rubiolo.[4][5] He repeatedly backed and protected Rubiolo who lived in and was the Scout Association of Australia commissioner for his electorate. Following the failure of his political career on claims of sexual harassment, molestation and bullying of staff, he was removed from The Scout Association of Australia NSW branch council[6] and his second wife divorced him in 2000.[1]
Military honours and awards
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Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 | |
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Vietnam Medal | |
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Defence Force Service Medal with 1 Rosette | for 20–24 years of service |
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National Medal | for 15–24 years of service |
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Australian Defence Medal | 2006 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "The Hon. Terence Allan Griffiths (1944–2009)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ "Oatley: NSW State election". Crikey. 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ Green, Antony. "Elections for Georges River". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Darryl Rubiolo". Aussie Sex Offenders. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- ^ "Child sex assault accused appears in court". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- ^ The Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch. Annual Report 1994 & Annual Report 1995.