Stuart Copeland

Stuart Copeland

Stuart William Copeland (born 19 January 1968 in Taroom, Queensland) is an Australian politician. He was a National/Liberal National from 2001 to 2009, representing the district of Cunningham.

Copeland won preselection to contest the state seat of Cunningham for the National Party defeating the Mayor of the Jondaryan Shire Peter Taylor. Taylor went on to be elected Mayor of the Toowoomba Regional Council in 2008.

Copeland was elected at the February 2001 State election after a three cornered contest with the Liberal Party. He was one of only 11 National Party MP’s to form the official Opposition following Premier Peter Beatties landslide win gaining 66 seats in the 89 seat Assembly. Ray Hopper MP, elected as an Independent for the seat of Darling Downs, joined the Nationals in December 2001.

Copeland was appointed Shadow Minister for Families, Disabilities, Youth and The Arts, and went on to hold the portfolios of Education, Training, Multicultural Policy, Health, Open Government, Justice and Attorney General.

He served on the Criminal Justice Committee, the Crime and Misconduct Committee, The Public Works Committee, the Broadcast of Parliament Select Committee, and various Parliamentary Estimates Committees. He was also Shadow Cabinet Secretary and served as Temporary Speaker/Deputy Speaker.

In 2007 Copeland was appointed Leader of Opposition Business.