Tim Nicholls

Timothy James Nicholls (born 6 April 1965) is an Australian politician. He served as the Treasurer of Queensland and the Minister for Trade of that state between March/April 2012 and 14 February 2015. He is the member for Clayfield in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. He was originally a member of the Liberal Party of Australia including a stint as its deputy leader, but joined the Liberal National Party in 2008 when the Liberal Party and the National Parties merged in Queensland.

Education

Nicholls was educated at Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne and the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.

Political career

Nicholls, originally a solicitor, began his career as a councilor in the Hamilton ward of the Brisbane City Council, which he held for six years. In 2006 he ran as the Liberal candidate in Clayfield He defeated incumbent member Liddy Clark on 9 September 2006 achieving a swing of 3.2 points.

Shortly after being elected to State Parliament, Nicholls was encouraged by party colleagues to stand against Bruce Flegg for the Liberal Party leadership. He did not initially have enough support in the eight member Liberal caucus.