Background
He was born in Dunedin on 19 May 1935, the son of Roderick MacDonell. In 1958, he married Joan Banwell, the daughter of William Banwell.
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Brian MacDonell
Edit ProfileCareer
He received his education at Christian Brothers High School, since renamed Kavanagh College. He became active with the labour movement in 1950. The MacDonells have four sons.
MacDonell worked for a bank from 1953 to 1963, and was a national councillor for the New Zealand bank officers union.
He represented the Dunedin Central electorate in Parliament for 21 years from 1963 to 1984. He was Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Trade and Industry (1973–1975) and to the Minister of Energy Resources (1974–1975).
Following the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion, parliament discussed legislation to legalise abortion, and MacDonell supported his pro-life stance by holding a jar with a pickled 12-week-old foetus during the debate. Parliament passed the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Acting 1977.
The Dunedin Central electorate was abolished in the 1983 electoral redistribution, and the electorate of Dunedin West was established in its place.
MacDonell stood as an Independent in the 1984 general election but was not successful. MacDonell now resides in Tasmania, Australia. MacDonell enjoys fishing for recreation.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
1975 (aged 40) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Political Party
New Zealand Labour Party