Ted Baillieu
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| Ted Baillieu | |
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Victoria Liberal Leader/ Leader of the Opposition
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Doyle |
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| Constituency | Hawthorn |
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| Born | July 31, 1953 Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Profession | Architect |
Edward Norman (Ted) Baillieu (born 31 July 1953) is an Australian politician. He is currently the Opposition Leader of Victoria, and a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
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[edit] Early history
Ted Baillieu was raised in Toorak, educated at Melbourne Grammar School and The University of Melbourne and was an architect by profession before entering the Victorian Parliament.
A member of the Baillieu-Myer family dynasty, in his maiden speech he paid tribute to his family: "My grandparents' families (the Baillieus and the Myers) made their own contributions to community life in this state. They have done so in many parts of Victoria and in a range of fields including agriculture, business, the services, sport, heritage protection, the arts and public life. I am proud of their achievements and I value the benefits of family above all." He has a declared shared portfolio which includes more than 30 companies, including Coles Myer, major banks and BHP Billiton, but also contributes to charities such as the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria.
[edit] Political career
Baillieu entered Victorian Parliament as the Member for the Electorate of Hawthorn in the 1999 election; it was at this election that Steve Bracks led the Australian Labor Party to victory, assuming government. He had previously been a longtime member of the Liberal Party, and an official at both state and federal level in the party.
Since his entry into Parliament, he has been a permanent member of the Liberal Party frontbench. He has served as Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training (1999-2001), Gaming (July 2000-August 2002) and Planning (September 2001-May 2006).
[edit] Liberal Party leadership
2006
Following months of rumour that Baillieu would mount a challenge for the Liberal Party leadership, he was elected unopposed as the Opposition Leader of Victoria on 8 May 2006 by the Liberal Party room, replacing Robert Doyle who resigned his position on 4 May 2006.
After Doyle's resignation, speculation mounted that former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett would return to politics and the position of Liberal Party Leader in order to lead the party into the 2006 state election which was held on 25 November 2006. However on the morning of 5 May 2006, Baillieu in announcing his candidacy for the party leadership revealed that Kennett would withdraw from the leadership race and throw his support behind Baillieu.[1] Later that afternoon, Baillieu's only other challenger for the position, Shadow Minister for Transport Terry Mulder also withdrew from the race.
On 16 June 2006 it was revealed that Tom Cargill, an adviser to then Premier Steve Bracks, was planning to search for financial information on Ted Baillieu and his family.[citation needed]
On 25 November 2006 the Liberal Party lost the state election under Ted Baillieu's leadership.
2007
In a speech at the State Council of the Victorian Liberal Party, Ted Ballieu opposed the push by John Howard for nuclear reactors in Victoria.[2]
2008
An online campaign against Baillieu by senior Liberal Party members was uncovered and made public, with Baillieu promising to root out the disloyal elements in his party. The renegade members released an email from the previous election in retribution, revealing that now-resigned state campaign manager Susan Chandler described the 2007 federal election Liberal candidate for Melbourne Ports in an internal email as a "greedy fucking jew", spurring accusations of anti-semitism.[3][4]
[edit] Personal life
Like his former political opponent, ex-Premier Steve Bracks, he is a supporter of the Geelong Football Club, is a regular swimmer and founder of the Pier to Perignon swim run by the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club. He also plays golf and basketball.
He is married to Robyn and has three children: Martha, Eleanor and Robert.
[edit] References
- ^ Austin and Tomazin, Paul and Farrah. "Kennett backdown infuriates Howard", The Age, 6 May 2006.
- ^ Rose, Danny. "State Libs NIMBY on nuclear power", News.Com.Au, 29 April 2007.
- ^ Libs force 'anti-Semitic' email author to quit - National - theage.com.au
- ^ Read the email chain - National - theage.com.au
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Robert Doyle |
Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia in Victoria 2006- |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
