Tom Hynd

Who is Tom Hynd?

Thomas Simpson Hynd was an Australian businessman and politician. He was a National Party of Australia member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 1986 to 1989, representing the electorate of Nerang.

Hynd was born in Sydney, the son of a coalminer. He attended Chatswood Primary School, Mosman High School and Gore Hill Technical College. He trained as a master builder, and later opened TS Hynd Pty Ltd, a business specialising in electronic doors. He was a prominent business figure on the Gold Coast, and Alex Douglas claimed that "he installed probably half of the roller doors on houses that were built". He was actively involved in the National Party, and had been the vice-president of its south-east zone.

Hynd was elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 1986 state election for Nerang, a new electorate created with the enlargement of parliament that year. Hynd was an enthusiastic supporter of Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, and endorsed his Joh for PM campaign, having been quoted in 1987 as stating: "It would be the greatest thing ever to happen to Australia if Joh was to be Prime Minister . . . He is just the man to lead this country out of the wilderness.