David Simmons (Australian politician)
David William Simmons, OAM (born 7 November 1947), an Australian former politician, was a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1983 to 1996, representing the seat of Calare for the Australian Labor Party. Simmons held several junior Ministerial positions in the Hawke and Keating Governments. Early career Simmons was born in Broken Hill, New South Wales and arrived in Bathurst, New South Wales in 1965 and commenced study for teacher training at Bathurst Teacher's College. After graduation, Simmons taught at Tullibigeal Central, Bletchington and Broken Hill North before changing to secondary teaching and transferring to Bathurst High School where he became Head Teacher of Social Science. He had also completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Education with honours from the University of New England. Simmons was an elected Alderman on Bathurst City Council from 1978 to 1983. Federal political career Simmons was elected to the Australian House of Representatives seat of Calare at the 1983 federal election, after two unsuccessful attempts, representing the Australian Labor Party. Simmons was re-elected as Member for Calare at the 1984, 1987, 1990, and 1993 Australian federal elections. He was appointed Minister for Defence Science and Personnel in April 1989