Robert George Akers (17 October 1941 – 28 October 2006) was an architect and

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...

Member of the

Legislative Assembly of Queensland The Legislative Assembly of Queensland is the sole chamber of the unicameral Parliament of Queensland established under the Constitution of Queensland. Elections are held every four years and are done by full preferential voting. The Assembly ...

, for the seat of

Pine Rivers The Shire of Pine Rivers was a local government area about north of Brisbane in the Moreton Bay region of South East Queensland, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed as a local government entity from 1888 until 2008, when it a ...

1974–1983. Later he was Chairman of

Shire of Pine Rivers The Shire of Pine Rivers was a Local government in Australia, local government area about north of Brisbane in the Moreton Bay, Queensland, Moreton Bay region of South East Queensland, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed as a ...

from 1985 to 1994. In 1995, he stood for the State seat of Kurwongbah as an independent. Akers was the second son of Pine Rivers Councillor James Henry Akers (1913–1977) and M. B. S. (Molly) Akers OAM (died 1999). He attended

Brisbane Grammar School Brisbane Grammar School (BGS) is an Independent school, independent, fee charging, non-denominational, day school, day and boarding school for boys, located in Spring Hill, Queensland, Spring Hill, an inner suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Austra ...

Marriages

Akers married (the second marriage for both) fellow parliamentarian Rosemary Kyburz while in parliament, the first time sitting members had married each other. They have two sons. He and his wife both lost their seats in the 1983 Liberal Party electoral collapse after

Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen (13 January 191123 April 2005) was an Australian politician and farmer who served as premier of Queensland between 1968 and 1987, for almost 20 years, as state leader of the National Party (earlier known as the Co ...

characterised many of the Liberal Party members of his Coalition government as "ratbags". These events led to the end of the National-Liberal Coalition in Queensland (at State level).

Later career

Akers entered the 1994 Mayoral election as sitting Shire Chairman against Yvonne Chapman and 4 others. In addition to being the first time the Shire elected a Mayor, it was also the first time a preferential ballot was used. Cr Akers received the majority of the first preferences but Ms Chapman was victorious after the distribution of preferences. This was the second time Ms Chapman had defeated Rob Akers at significant election, having taken the Queensland Parliamentary seat of Pine Rivers from him in 1983.

Honours, Awards, recognition

* Rob Akers was honoured by Pine Rivers Shire naming the Rob Akers Reserve, a substantial sports ground and parklands after him. * Rob Akers was a recipient of the

Centenary Medal The Centenary Medal is an award which was created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the centenary of the Federation of Australia and to recognise "people who made a contribution to Australian society or g ...

in 2001 for: ''"distinguished service to the community through parliament, local government and the Lions Club"''

References

1941 births Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Queensland 2006 deaths Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly 20th-century Australian politicians {{Australia-Liberal-politician-stub