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Australian politician
Eric Russell Hutchinson
(born 19 June 1965) is an Australian politician who was the
administrator of Norfolk Island
, in office from 2017 to 2023. He previously served a single term in the
House of Representatives
from 2013 to 2016, representing the
Division of Lyons
for the
Liberal Party
.
Early life
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Hutchinson was born in
Launceston, Tasmania
. He worked for various wool-exporting companies before entering politics.
[1]
Politics
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Hutchinson was elected to federal parliament at the
2013 election
, when he won the
Division of Lyons
from incumbent Labor MP
Dick Adams
. He secured a 1.2-point margin from a swing of 13.5 points.
[1]
He did not live in his electorate but in neighbouring
Bass
.
[2]
He was defeated after one term by Labor's
Brian Mitchell
at the
2016 election
.
[3]
After his defeat, he took up a role as an advisor to the President of the Senate,
Stephen Parry
.
[
citation needed
]
Administrator of Norfolk Island
[
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]
On 1 April 2017, Hutchinson began a two-year term as
Administrator of Norfolk Island
,
[4]
which was extended by a further two years in February 2019.
[5]
In March 2020, during the
COVID-19 pandemic
, he declared a
state of emergency
on the island and imposed a 32-day travel ban.
[6]
He was again reappointed for a two-year term beginning on 1 April 2021.
[7]
On 11 May 2023, it was announced by the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories that Hutchinson would be succeeded by George Plant as Administrator.
[8]
Plant was sworn in on 26 May 2023 and began his term as Administrator on 1 June 2023.
[8]
References
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External links
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]
