Luke Xavier Linton Simpkins (born 8 June 1964) is an Australian politician. He has been the Liberal representative for the electoral division of Cowan in Western Australia since the 2007 federal election. Luke Simpkins was unsuccessful in his attempt to win the seat from Labor's Graham Edwards at the 2004 federal election, despite securing a 4.7% swing in the party's favour.
Simpkins spent 15 years in the Army, resigning in 2002 as a Commissioned Officer, holding the rank of Major. The two greatest highlights of his military career were two years as an instructor at the Royal Military College Duntroon, and two years working on Olympic Security. He attended Sydney Boys High School from 1976–1981.
Simpkins is a former Australian and State representative in the sport of rowing, winning two national and six state championships. He also coached school rowing crews around the country, including Hale School and St Hilda's in Perth.
In the 2007 election he contested the seat against the ALP's Liz Prime. He won the seat with a 2.5% swing, one of only four pro-Coalition swings in Australia.
At the 2010 election Simpkins was re-elected with an increased majority achieving a swing of 5.01% against Labor candidate Chas Hopkins.
Famous quotes containing the word luke:
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder.”
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 11:21.22.