Neville Oliver

Neville Laurence Oliver is a former Australian politician. Before entering politics, he was an Australian [Broadcasting Corporation|ABC] sports commentator. On 22 April 2002, he was elected to the Tasmanian [House of Assembly] as a Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)|Labor] member representing Franklin (state)|Franklin] in a recount following the resignation of Fran Bladel. Oliver represented the Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)|Labor Party]. He was defeated for re-election on 30 July that year.
In his previous career as a sports commentator, he frequently covered Test cricket on radio as part of the BBC's Test Match Special team. Brian Johnston recalled in his stage act that as the commentators' roster only showed their initials, Oliver was listed as NO. Johnston told Oliver "From now on, I will call you 'the Doctor'". According to Johnston, this nickname 'stuck' to the point that listeners believed Oliver was a real doctor, and it was not unknown for surgeries to telephone him to ask if he could act as a locum.