James Purcell MLC | |
|---|---|
| Member of theVictorian Legislative Council forWestern Victoria Region | |
| In office 29 November 2014 – 24 November 2018 | |
| Succeeded by | Andy Meddick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1953-01-07)7 January 1953 (age 72) Bessiebelle, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Vote 1 Local Jobs |
| Education | Deakin University |
| Occupation | Accountant |
James Desmond Purcell (born 7 January 1953) is an Australian politician. He was aVote 1 Local Jobs member of theVictorian Legislative Council, having representedWestern Victoria Region from 2014 to 2018.[1][2]
Purcell was born and raised inBessiebelle, in Victoria'sWestern District, by his parents Bernie and Bonnie Purcell. He grew up on the family farm with his five siblings. Purcell attendedHeywood High School and earned his accounting qualification fromDeakin University's Warrnambool campus whereupon he was admitted to the Charter of Professional Accountants.[3]
James Purcell has worked in senior financial positions with many large corporations, includingAmcor andGlaxoSmithKline (10 years in Port Fairy, Melbourne and London). He owns aPort Fairy-based accounting firm and self-storage business.[4]
Purcell began his political career in local government where he was twice elected to theMoyne Shire Council, in 2008 and 2012. Purcell served as Mayor in 2010 and 2014, stepping down when he was elected to the State Parliament.
At the2010 Victorian state election, Purcell stood as anindependent candidate in theDistrict of South-West Coast, where he gained 11.53% of the primary vote but lost to the incumbent Liberal Party candidate,Denis Napthine.[5]
In November 2014, Purcell founded theVote 1 Local Jobs Party to represent theWestern Victoria Region in the Victorian Legislative Council. The party was registered in November 2014 and later that month contested the2014 Victorian election with Purcell as party leader.
Purcell stood again in the2014 Victorian state election for the Legislative Council and was elected as the sole representative of the Vote 1 Local Jobs Party for the Western Victoria Region.[6] At the2018 state election he again stood in theLegislative Assembly seat of South-West Coast as anindependent, but was defeated.
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