Ian Causley

Causley was born on 19 October 1940 in Maclean, New South Wales, the son of Hilda Jean (née Lewis) and Samuel Arthur Causley. His father was a fourth-generation sugarcane farmer .[1]

Causley attended Chatsworth Island Public School and Maclean High School. He won a scholarship to attend the University of New England, but instead chose to work as a sugarcane cutter and save up to purchase his own property. He became president of the Clarence River Cane Growers' Association as well as a director of the New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative and a member of the New South Wales Cane Growers' Council. He and his wife also owned and managed a hotel in Lismore.[1]

Causley joined the Country Party (later National Party) in 1965. He was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly at the 1984 state election, winning the seat of Clarence for the Nationals from the incumbent Australian Labor Party (ALP) MP Don Day.[1] He was promoted to state cabinet in 1988 and served as Minister for Natural Resources (1988–90 and 1991–93), Minister for Water Resources (1990–91), Chief Secretary (1990–91), Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (1993–95) and Minister for Mines (1993–95).[2]

In 1990, Causley and deputy premier Wal Murray were investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) over allegations they had allowed the sale of Crown land to a National Party donor on non-commercial terms. They were cleared of corruption but found to have "created a climate conducive to corrupt conduct". Causley successfully sued the Sydney Morning Herald for damages over the allegations.[1]

In the federal parliament, Causley was Deputy Speaker from February 2002 to November 2007,[3] the last five years of the John Howard Prime Ministership, under Speakers Neil Andrew and David Hawker.

Causley retired at the 2007 election. He died on 27 April 2020.[4][5]