David John Clarke (born 2 April 1947),[1] an Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 2003 to 2019, representing the Liberal Party.
[citation needed] While serving on the Ethnic Council, he was asked by many members of the Liberal Party to defend Lyenko Urbanchich against allegations of former Nazi connections.
[7][8][9][10] Former NSW Opposition Leader from 1981 to 1983, John Dowd described Clarke as being "perceived as a lieutenant who carried out the views of Urbanchich and co in their branch stacking and endeavouring to take control of a large measure of the [Liberal] party.
"[13] In his first speech in 2003, Clarke promised to "uphold and advocate the conservative, mainstream and Christian-based truths and values that I believe our nation is based upon … with missionary zeal",[14] advocated state sovereignty, the decentralisation of government power, and stated that "I respect the right of individuals to live their lives as they choose, unmolested and without harassment and persecution, provided they do not bring harm to others or to institutions and concepts that protect others.
While he describes Australia as "a Christian nation"[4] and argues that there is nothing wrong with religious values influencing legislation on the age of consent, abortion and euthanasia, he denies that his views override his respect for the separation of church and state, individual rights and free enterprise, and notes his support for superannuation rights for same-sex couples, and that same sex couples are entitled to their choice to live together.
[18] Sharri Markson writes that "[I]t's when talking about topics other than politics that he [i.e. Clarke] show the softer side … seems unafraid to be emotional about his family … I'm left wondering whether its possible that one of the most feared men in the NSW Liberal Party is just a big softie.
[20] NSW Labor MP Kristina Keneally expressed a view in New South Wales Parliament with parliamentary privilege protecting her from lawsuits[21] that Clarke "effect[ed] a right-wing takeover of Liberal Party branches.