Vaughan Johnson (politician)

Vaughan Gregory Johnson (born 20 July 1947) is an Australian politician. Born in Bourke, New South Wales, he was a grazier and contractor before entering politics. Having moved to Queensland, he was a councillor on Quilpie Shire Council from 1970 to 1973. From 1972 to 1973 he was Chairman of the Quilpie Branch of the National Party. In 1989, Johnson was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland as the National Party member for Gregory, which he has represented until 2015, joining the Liberal National Party in 2008. He has previously been the Shadow Minister for Sport and the Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections.^[1] He was appointed Government Chief Whip following the 2012 election.

In October 2014, Johnson announced that he would retire from the Queensland Parliament at the next election. The Premier of Queensland, Campbell Newman, praised his contribution to Queensland, saying "Vaughan will forever be known as the bloke who fought tooth and nail for the farmers and graziers, truck drivers, small business owners and everyone in between right across Western Queensland."^[2]

In 2014 on Fairfax Radio, Johnson stated "I'm not against Asian people, don't get me wrong – but a lot of those Asian people come from an environment where they have no comprehension of road rules in their own country,". Johnson issued a letter later that day apologising for his remarks, adding "I wanted to convey that all drivers in Queensland must take care on the roads".^[3]

Johnson is married with three children.

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