(William) Michael Hodgman was born in Hobart and educated at the Hutchins School and the University of Tasmania. Graduating with a law degree from the university, he was admitted to the Tasmanian Bar (1962) and subsequently became associate to High Court judge, Sir Victor Windeyer (1962-63) and legal officer for the Tasmanian Hydro Electric Commission (1965-66). He was Vice President of the Tasmanian Bar Association (1972-74) and was appointed a Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1984.

In 1966, Hodgman was elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council as member for Huon and served on state Parliamentary committees relating to Gordon River Power Development (1967-68), Daylight Saving (1969), second Huon Bridge (1971-72), Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) and Long Service (Casual Employees) Acts (1972-73), Privileges (1972-74) and Off-course Totaliser Betting (1973-74). He was also Convenor of the Tasmanian Constitutional League, Deputy Chairman of Standing Committee B of the Australian Constitutional Convention (1973-74) and a member of the Tasmanian Delegation to the Conventions in Sydney (1973) and Melbourne (1975). He resigned from state Parliament in April 1974 to enter federal politics.

Elected to the House of Representatives in December 1975, as Liberal member for Denison, Hodgman retained the seat in 1977, 1980, 1983 and 1984 but was defeated at the 1987 general election. 

In the Fraser Government, Hodgman was Minister for the Capital Territory and Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Commerce (1980-83). He also served on federal Parliamentary committees relating to Privileges (1976-80 and 1983-87), New Parliament House (1980-83) and Procedures (1985-87) and was a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Delegation to the Australian Constitutional Convention in Perth (1978). During the Hawke Labor Government, Hodgman was a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry and spokesman on immigration and ethnic affairs (1983-84) and housing and construction (1984-85).

In 2001, Hodgman returned to the Tasmanian Parliament as member for the state seat of Denison in the House of Assembly. He was Leader of Opposition Business in the House (2001-02) and is a member of the Shadow Ministry, representing the portfolios of Attorney General, Justice and Industrial Relations. He is also Legal Director, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (Tasmania).

Sources:

Commonwealth Parliamentary Handbook 1986 (23rd ed), pp 119-120; 1988 (24th ed), p 235
Who's Who in Australia 2004, p 995

Summary heading

  Hon W M Hodgman (CP 155)

Unregistered links

  1966 - 1974:  Tasmanian Parliament, Legislative Council - Member for Huon

  1978:            Australian Constitutional Convention, Perth – Member of Commonwealth Parliamentary Delegation

  1978 -         :  Government Members Federal Affairs Committee - Secretary

  2001 -         :  Tasmanian Parliament, House of Assembly – Member for Denison