Tony Lawler
Anthony John "Tony" Lawler (born 18 October 1961) is an Australian politician. He was a National Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1998 to 2001, representing the electorate of Parkes. A pharmacist outside of politics, he retired after one term due to the impact of having to frequently be away from home on his young family. Early life and career Lawler was born in Dubbo, New South Wales and educated at St John's Primary School and the University of Sydney before returning to Dubbo to work as a pharmacist in his family's pharmacy. Political career In early 1998, Lawler joined the National Party after "[attending] a dinner party where everyone was complaining about how the country should be run" and, on the way home, deciding to "do something about it". He spoke with the party about contesting preselection for a state seat, but weeks later a vacancy came up for the National-held federal seat of Parkes at the forthcoming 1998 federal election, when MP Michael Cobb was charged with misusing of travel entitlements. Lawler nominated in what he viewed as a "dry run", and unexpectedly won National preselection for Parkes. Lawler won the seat at