Michael relishes his description as Tasmania’s most famous Parliamentary character. He is proudly labelled thus because of his passionate regard for the principles and traditions of our Westminster Parliamentary system, the Australian Constitution and retaining Australia's Constitutional Monarchy.

But Michael is equally as passionate about his great family, his home of State of Tasmania, the law, tradition and history.

Michael was first elected to Tasmania's Legislative Council in 1966 and represented the Huon until resigning in 1974 to contest the Federal election. In 1975 he won the House of Representatives seat of Denison and was a Minister in the Fraser Government from 1980 to 1983. He held the Federal Denison seat until 1987. In 1992, Michael won a seat in the Tasmanian House of Assembly and has been re-elected ever since, apart from a brief spell.

Michael has three adult children Angela, Victoria, and Will (who now sits alongside his father in the House of Assembly). Michael is a very proud grandfather, and is committed to mainstream traditional family values and principles.

Michael is a member of a wide range of organisations including: Boxing Australia, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, the Tasmanian Racing Club, the Navy Club, the Glenorchy R.S.L., the RAN Corvettes Association (Patron), the S.B.F.C. Old Players Association, the Carbine Club and the L J Baily Memorial Trust of which he is Chairman.