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Portrait of David Southwick

David Southwick

Liberal Party · Victoria · Victorian Legislative Assembly · Caulfield (VIC) · incumbent

David James Southwick was born on 31 March 1968 in Caulfield, one of three children of Beryl and Stuart Southwick; his father ran a soap business in Laverton and served on the City of Werribee. He completed his high school certificate at Caulfield Grammar and studied a Bachelor of Business at Victoria University, later undertaking postgraduate study at Monash University's Caulfield campus. Before entering parliament he founded and was managing director of The Body Collection and lectured at Victoria University and RMIT. [source]

Sourced positions

A verified position is the member's own stated view or vote, supported by the listed sources. This page records public statements and conduct only — see methodology.

Voluntary assisted dying verified

Voted on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 in the Victorian Legislative Assembly (conscience vote; the bill passed the Assembly 47-37 on 20 October 2017). David Southwick voted NO (against).

Gender & LGBTQ+ policy verified

Liberal MP for Caulfield and Deputy Liberal Leader. On the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill (10 December 2020) he moved a reasoned amendment seeking to delay the bill for further consultation, while saying he supported its substantive goals ('we can help stem the trauma by supporting this important bill'). In November 2022 he gave Aleph Melbourne (a Jewish LGBTQI organisation) a personal 'iron-clad guarantee' that any Liberal amendment to the Equal Opportunity Act would 'protect our LGBTQIA+ community from discrimination,' in the context of the Liberals' proposal to adjust the Equal Opportunity (Religious Exceptions) provisions on faith-based school hiring.

Freedom of speech verified

Voted against the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024, which repealed the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 and expanded vilification protections (Legislative Assembly, combined second and third reading, 20 February 2025; Ayes 50, Noes 25).

Drugs & law and order verified

Liberal MLA for Caulfield and former Shadow Minister for Police and Crime Prevention. Southwick opposed a second injecting centre in the CBD, saying 'A second injecting centre in the wrong place is the last thing our struggling CBD and stretched frontline police need to be dealing with,' and pointed to 'ongoing drug trafficking, anti-social behaviour and serious crime at the North Richmond Injecting Centre,' arguing systemic problems at the first site should be fixed before any second site.

Gambling & gaming reform verified

Voted against the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Repeal and Advisory Councils Bill 2024, which abolished the Foundation (Legislative Assembly, second and third reading, 30 May 2024; Ayes 49, Noes 28). Voted against the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 (Legislative Assembly, second and third reading, 20 March 2025; Ayes 53, Noes 25). Voted against the second reading of the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (Legislative Assembly, 20 May 2025; Ayes 51, Noes 25). Voted for the second reading of the Casino and Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (Legislative Assembly, 11 September 2025; Ayes 73, Noes 3).

Native forest logging verified

Voted against the second reading of the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Repeal Bill 2024, which repealed the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 following the cessation of native forest logging on 1 January 2024 (Legislative Assembly, 30 May 2024; Ayes 53, Noes 24).

Record last updated 2026-08-13.