Dr David Gillespie was elected to the Australian Parliament in September 2013, representing The Nationals which he joined in 2008.
Dr Gillespie graduated with a MBBS from University of Sydney in 1981 and is a Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 1991.
Before entering Federal Parliament, Dr Gillespie had 33 years of medical practice, including 21 years as specialist Gastroenterologist and Consultant Specialist Physician in Port Macquarie from 1993 to 2013. He was active in Postgraduate Medical Training as Director of Physician training at Port Macquarie Base Hospital from 1995 to 2009, and was instrumental in the Base Hospital achieving accreditation by Royal Australasian College of Physicians for Specialist Training and becoming a Centre for College Examinations.
Dr Gillespie and his wife built, licensed and ran the free-standing Hastings Day Surgery in Port Macquarie for 12 years. During this period, he also lectured and tutored at UNSW Rural Medical School since its inception.
In July 2021, Dr Gillespie was appointed Minister for Regional Health and Deputy Leader of the House following a leadership spill and the re-election of Barnaby Joyce as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister. He relinquished his ministerial portfolios in May 2022 following the defeat of the Liberal Party at the federal election.
