13 Facts About Jim Fouras

Jim Fouras was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.

Jim Fouras received his secondary education at The Southport School and was awarded the school's chemistry prize.

Jim Fouras attended the University of Queensland and graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Economics.

In 1977, Jim Fouras was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland as the Labor member for South Brisbane.

Jim Fouras held the seat until 1986, when he was defeated for preselection by Anne Warner.

Jim Fouras returned to the Assembly in 1989, winning the seat of Ashgrove, which he held until his retirement in 2006.

Jim Fouras was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 1996.

Jim Fouras is noted for being the first Greek-Australian to serve as speaker of an Australian parliament.

The claim that some ALP members would have broken the party line to support Jim Fouras has been disputed by the ALP.

Jim Fouras' casting vote had not been required previously because before the 1995 election the Government had had a 19-seat majority.

Jim Fouras remained involved in politics, campaigning for Jonty Bush in 2021.

Jim Fouras married Maria, with whom he had three children Yanoula, Athanasi and Andreas.

Jim Fouras died from a heart attack on 12 November 2021 at the age of 83 in Brisbane, Queensland.