James Bidgood (politician)

James Mark Bidgood (born 25 May 1959) is an Australian former Labor politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Dawson, in north Queensland, from 2007 to 2010. He was elected at the November 2007 federal election, defeating the sitting Nationals member, De-Anne Kelly, in a major upset. Kelly was not thought to be in any danger going into the election; she had gone into the election sitting on a seemingly safe majority of 10 percent. However, in one of the biggest swings of the election, Bidgood picked up a swing of over 13 percent (initially calculated as 16 percent) amid the Labor wave that swept through Queensland. He was only the second Labor member ever to win it, and the first since 1974. He retired in 2010 due to ill health.

James Bidgood (politician)

James Mark Bidgood (born 25 May 1959) is an Australian former Labor politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Dawson, in north Queensland, from 2007 to 2010. He was elected at the November 2007 federal election, defeating the sitting Nationals member, De-Anne Kelly, in a major upset. Kelly was not thought to be in any danger going into the election; she had gone into the election sitting on a seemingly safe majority of 10 percent. However, in one of the biggest swings of the election, Bidgood picked up a swing of over 13 percent (initially calculated as 16 percent) amid the Labor wave that swept through Queensland. He was only the second Labor member ever to win it, and the first since 1974. He retired in 2010 due to ill health.