Murray Thompson

Murray Hamilton Ross Thompson (born 27 December 1953) is a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He has served the Sandringham electorate since 1992. The electorate includes the suburbs of Beaumaris, Black Rock, and Sandringham, and parts of Cheltenham, Hampton, Highett and Mentone. He is the son of former Liberal Premier of Victoria Lindsay Thompson.

Thompson was educated at Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne where he served as Captain of football and member of debating team (1971–72), was School Captain, Caulfield Grammar 1972 and Member of the Caulfield Grammarians Cricket Club (1973–80). Thompson earned both a Bachelor of Arts (1979), a Bachelor of Laws (1981) from Monash University where he was Student Representative on the Law Faculty Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Practice (1979) and Law Student Society Committee Member. His postgraduate study earned him a Diploma of Education (1986) from Melbourne University.

He was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1982, set up his own suburban practice and worked as a solicitor before entering professional politics in 1992.

Thompson, a keen supporter of local sporting groups was himself an Australian rules footballer who played as a midfielder for Richmond in the VFL until three knee operations caused him to retire to complete his university studies after 14 senior games.

As a member of Parliament, he served on the Liberal frontbench in a range of portfolios in opposition, between December 2002 and February 2008.

In government, Thompson unsuccessfully contested the leadership against then Major Projects Minister Denis Napthine in the ballot resulting from the resignation of Premier Ted Baillieu.