18 Facts About Nigel Abbott

Nigel Drury Gresley Abbott was an Australian politician.

Nigel Abbott was a Liberal member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 1964 to 1972, representing the seat of Denison.

Nigel Abbott moved to Tasmania with his family when his father, a doctor, started a medical practice in the Huon Valley.

Nigel Abbott was educated at a public high school in Geeveston, then at the Anglican private school Hutchins in Hobart, and completing his secondary education at St Peter's College, Adelaide in 1937.

Nigel Abbott was later involved for many years with the Hobart Football Club as the club's doctor, serving a term as President of the club in 1960 and was still involved in the club for his medical help as late as 1999.

In January 1942 in Adelaide, Nigel Abbott enlisted in the Australian Army and served as a private in the 6th Cavalry Ambulance unit.

Nigel Abbott implemented a new malaria prophylaxis regimen, which was later adopted across all Australian and American forces in Vietnam.

Nigel Abbott then worked as a general practitioner at Zeehan before returning to Hobart to operate a GP practice at Kingston.

Nigel Abbott entered politics at a local government level, serving as an alderman on the Hobart City Council from 1962 to 1964.

At the Tasmanian state election in 1964, Nigel Abbott was elected as a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, representing the electorate of Denison for the Liberal Party.

Nigel Abbott was appointed to Bethune's cabinet, serving as Minister for Health and taking on a new portfolio of Road Safety.

On 27 September 1971, Nigel Abbott announced he had resigned as road safety minister after the Tasmanian Legislative Council voted down what he saw as vital legislation on road safety, introducing on-the-spot fines for traffic offences and a demerit point system.

Nigel Abbott had previously promised to resign if he could not successfully lower the state's road toll, which by September had already exceeded the number of road deaths in 1970.

Bethune's cabinet met the next day, and after a two-and-a-half hour meeting, convinced Nigel Abbott to withdraw his resignation and return to work.

Nigel Abbott's portfolios were assigned to the state attorney-general Max Bingham until the election.

Nigel Abbott announced he would not contest the 1972 election, but ended up contesting Denison as an ungrouped independent candidate, however he was not elected.

Nigel Abbott returned to local government in 1988, serving as an alderman on Kingborough Council until 1996.

On 27 August 1948, Nigel Abbott married Jocelyn Ruth Butler at South Yarra, Melbourne.