THE enormous improvement and upgrade to the Pacific Highway was a significant highlight of Mark Vaile’s political career.
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Yesterday, the former federal member for Lyne was named an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honour List for his distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, through support for rural and regional communities, to the pursuit of global trade and investment opportunities, and to the citizens of the Taree region
In a rare chance to relax, he celebrated over a barbecue in Harrington with his dedicated wife Wendy, one of his three daughters, life-long friends and his mother.
“Obviously it’s a great honour and quite humbling,” he said of the recognition.
“When you look as the cross- section of people, who have made a contribution, in the sciences and arts ... it’s humbling.”
Mark’s political career spanned close to 25 years, starting with eight years in local government before he stepped into the federal arena.
When he reflects on that time, on both a local and national basis, the “interesting things happening at that time” and the many accomplishments he has been involved with, he said one significant feature was the “enormous development of the Pacific Highway”.
“It was a key bit of economic infrastructure that was needed along the east coast and the mid north coast.”
He was honoured to be involved in a successful government for 11 years and attract significant resources for the infrastructure upgrade, saying that the “stars aligned” at a time when the economy was running well.
“We went from a $500 billion GDP (gross domestic product) to in excess of one trillion dollar GDP during the life of our government, which meant we could put it towards infrastructure”.
On a national perspective, the most exciting period for him was the seven to eight years he spent as trade minister, in particular in negotiating trade agreements with the United States, Singapore and Thailand and a number of other countries, and the Doha round of world trade negotiations.
Mark held three portfolios while in government and he is proud to have been part of a successful federal government which held power for 11 years – something no other political party has achieved.
He was an alderman on Greater Taree City Council from 1985 to 1993, deputy mayor in 1986-7 and 1991-93, a member of the Manning Valley Tourist Association from 1981 to 1992 (chairman for two years), and chairman of the Wingham Chamber of Commerce from 1980 to 1985.
Mark joined the National Party of Australia in 1978 and held many positions, including leader from 2005 to 2007 and deputy leader from 1999 to 2005.
His service to the Parliament of Australia included as federal member for Lyne in the Australian House of Representatives between 1993 and 2008, deputy prime minister between 2005 and 2007, federal minister for Transport and Regional Services between 2006 and 2007, federal minister for trade between 1999 and 2006, federal minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry between 1998 and 1999 and federal minister for transport and regional development between 1997 and 1998.
He received the Centenary Medal in 2001.
Mark puts down his career success to his family.
“I couldn’t have done anything without the 100 per cent support of Wendy and my three daughters. They have been very supportive. They missed out on a lot and are subjected to a lot.”
Although no longer in the political arena, Mark’s post-parliament life is just as busy.
He is currently a non-executive chairman of Whitehaven Coal Limited, non-executive director of Virgin Australia, director of Servcorp Limited and non-executive chairman of CBD Energy Ltd and director of Stamford Land Ltd (a Singapore company which has Stamford hotels throughout Australia).
When he has spare time he enjoys spending time on his farm in Cedar Party, which he describes as good respite.