Pat Purcell

Patrick Douglas Purcell (born 17 March 1947) is an Australian politician. He was a Labor member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Bulimba from 1992 to 2009.

Pat Purcell
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Bulimba
In office 19 September 1992 – 20 March 2009
Preceded by	Ron McLean
Succeeded by	Di Farmer
Minister for Emergency Services
In office 28 July 2005 – 4 July 2007
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Neil Roberts
Succeeded by	Chris Cummins
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Public Works, Housing and Racing
In office 12 February 2004 – 28 July 2005
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	new portfolio
Succeeded by	position abolished
Deputy Government Whip
In office 30 July 1998 – 11 February 2004
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Rob Mitchell
Succeeded by	Rachel Nolan
Personal details
Born	Patrick Douglas Purcell (1947-03-17) 17 March 1947 Cowra, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	Labor
Occupation	Trade union industry

Early life

Purcell was born in the New South Wales town of Cowra. Prior to election to parliament he was the secretary of the Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders Labourers' Federation (Queensland Branch).

Politics

Purcell entered parliament at the 1992 state election as the member for Bulimba. He held the seat until his retirement in 2009.

Purcell served as the Minister for Emergency Services from July 2005 to July 2007 in the Beattie Ministry. Before that he was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Public Works, Housing and Racing. On 4 July 2007, Pat Purcell announced he would resign as Minister after allegations arose that he assaulted two public servants. The subsequently proven allegations forced the then Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told him "he had no choice but to resign". Those charges were subsequently withdrawn following mediation.

Purcell did not contest the 2009 Queensland state election.