Michael Wooldridge

Dr Michael Richard Lewis Wooldridge (born November 7, 1956) is an Australian doctor and former politician and Health Minister of Australia.

Michael Wooldridge attended Scotch College, Melbourne before attending Monash University medical school, from where he graduated in 1981. He later qualified as a nephrologist with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Wooldridge was elected to the Australian House of Representatives for a Liberal Party representative for Chisholm Victoria in 1987, 1990, 1993 and 1996. He was re-elected for Casey, Victoria, 1998 and retired prior to general elections 2001.

During his time in Opposition he was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party from March 1993 to May 1994. In May 1994 Liberal Leader Dr. John Hewson called a spill for both the leader's and deputy's positions. Hewson lost to Alexander Downer while Wooldridge withdrew at the last minute as it became clear he did not have the numbers to beat Downer's running mate Peter Costello. In 1996 the Liberal and National Parties were elected to Government and Dr Wooldridge served as Minister for Health and Family Services from 1996 to 1998 and Minister for Health and Aged Care from 1998 up to his retirement in 2001.

Reference

 * Parliamentary Handbook