Bill Hassell

William Ralph Boucher Hassell, best known as Bill Hassell, (born 6 June 1943) is an Australian former Liberal Party politician who was Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia during the mid-1980s. He was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of Cottesloe between 1977 and 1990.

The Honourable Bill Hassell AM
Member of the Western Australian Parliament for Cottesloe
In office 19 February 1977 – 28 June 1990
Preceded by	Ross Hutchinson
Succeeded by	Colin Barnett
20th Leader of the Opposition (Western Australia)
In office 15 February 1984 – 25 November 1986
Premier	Brian Burke
Deputy	Barry MacKinnon
Preceded by	Ray O'Connor
Succeeded by	Barry MacKinnon
Agent-General for Western Australia
In office 1994–1996
Personal details
Born	William Ralph Boucher Hassell (1943-06-06) 6 June 1943 (age 81)
Citizenship	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party
Alma mater	University of Western Australia
Profession	Lawyer

Early life

After attending Hale School, Hassell attended the University of Western Australia (UWA), graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Laws. He entered legal practice in 1966.^[1]

Political career

In 1977 Hassell was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of Cottesloe, representing the Liberal Party.^[2]

He was Leader of the Opposition between 1984 and 1986 before being replaced by Barry MacKinnon.^[3]

Hassell's subsequent political career saw him serve as deputy mayor on Nedlands Council and in this capacity in November 2019, he stated that “Although I loathe and detest welcomes to the country, I sit through them patiently when we have these ceremonies.”^[4] Seven months later in June 2020, Hassell tendered his resignation as deputy mayor, and from the council.^[5]

Political views

Hassell is a monarchist and was a convenor for the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy.^[6]

References

1. "Alumni - Graduates - Bill Hassell (1965)". University of Western Australia. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
2. "A numerical listing of Members of the Legislative Assembly since 1890" (PDF). Parliamentary Library Western Australia. Parliament of Western Australia. October 2012. p. 9. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
3. "Leaders of the Opposition from 1905" (PDF). Parliamentary Library Western Australia. Parliament of Western Australia. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
4. Dickinson, Ben (16 November 2019). "Hassell blames militants for 'Invasion Day'" (PDF). Post Newspapers. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
5. "City acknowledges resignation of Councillor Bill Hassell AM | City of Nedlands".
6. Lowth, Adrienne (3 August 1999). "Court on republic". ABC News. Retrieved 14 September 2022.

Parliament of Western Australia
Preceded by Ross Hutchinson	Member for Cottesloe 1977–1990	Succeeded by Colin Barnett
Political offices
Preceded by Ray O'Connor	Leader of the Opposition 1984–1986	Succeeded by Barry MacKinnon
Party political offices
Preceded by Ray O'Connor	Leader of the WA Liberal Party 1984–1986	Succeeded by Barry MacKinnon