Get a look into the colourful life of one of the most passionate and controversial figures in Australian federal politics

Charles Wilson Tuckey has had a few monikers in his lifetime. Paul Keating called him a “foul mouthed grub” among other things, but it was the name “Ironbar” that stuck after an incident in Carnarvon at Tuckey’s Port Hotel. A publican before his 21st birthday, Wilson was a prominent Carnarvon businessman elected to council in 1964 then voted Mayor, a Shire President who spent 16 years in local government including as president of the Country Shire Councils’ Association of WA, and latterly the Federal Member for the seat of O’Connor for 30 years.

Often regarded as one of the most passionate and controversial figures in Australian federal politics, Wilson held multiple shadow ministries in Opposition then served in the Howard Government. He was Minister for Forestry, and Conservation and later Fisheries (21.10.1998 to 26.11.2001), then became Minister Assisting the Prime Minister (21.10.1998 to 26.11.2001) and Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government (25.1.2002 to 7.10.2003).

Wilson is equally passionate about racehorses and his relatives. The Tuckeys were one of Western Australia’s first families, becoming pioneers in timber, shipping, transport, tourism and fishing in the Peel region.

Wilson “Ironbar” Tuckey’s colourful life of public service and family is a tale of his time.