16 Facts About Leo McLeay

Leo Boyce McLeay was born on 4 October 1945 and is a former Australian politician who served as a Labor Party member of the House of Representatives from June 1979 to October 2004.

Leo McLeay was born on 4 October 1945 in Marrickville, New South Wales.

Leo McLeay was the older of two children born to Joan Ann and Ronald Boyce McLeay.

Leo McLeay's father was a council worker and worked on the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Leo McLeay left school before obtaining a leaving certificate and began working as a post office telegram boy.

Leo McLeay was a member of the Postal Telecommunication Technicians' Association and the Federated Clerks' Union.

Leo McLeay joined the ALP at the age of 13 and was state secretary of Young Labor in 1969.

Leo McLeay served on the Marrickville Municipal Council from 1971 to 1977.

Leo McLeay became a paid ALP employee with the support of Graham Richardson, initially as an organiser and then as assistant general secretary of the state branch from 1976 to 1979.

Leo McLeay was elected to federal parliament at the 1979 Grayndler by-election, following the death in office of Frank Stewart.

Leo McLeay joined a number of parliamentary committees and in 1982 chaired the subcommittee that delivered the In a Home or at Home report on aged care.

Leo McLeay was elected chairman of committees in 1986, serving as deputy to Joan Child, and was elected as her replacement upon her retirement in 1989.

Leo McLeay represented the Division of Grayndler from 1979 until 1993.

Leo McLeay resigned as Speaker following accusations that he had made a false compensation claim of $65,000 following a bicycle accident.

Leo McLeay was the New South Wales director of the Enhance Group.

Paul Leo McLeay was the Member for Heathcote in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 2003 until his defeat at the 2011 state election.