Peter Collins (Australian politician)
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Peter Collins (10 May 1947 - ) was the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of the New South Wales Parliament from 4 April 1995 to 8 December 1998.
Peter Collins was born the eldest son of Ronald and Mavis Collins. He was educated at Marist Brothers, Kogarah, Saint Patrick's, Bathurst and Waverley College from 1960 to 1964. From 1965 to 1972 Collins was a student at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. Collins has married three times; with Jennifer Ruth White in 1973 which resulted in two sons and divorce. In 1983 Collins married Dominique Fisher which resulted in two sons and divorce. In 2002 Collins married Jennine Leonarder, whom she is still married to with no children resulting.
Collins was elected to the seat of Willoughby in the Legislative Assembly in 1981 as a Liberal, serving in opposition until the election of Nick Greiner as Premier in 1988. He held Willoughby until his retirement, except between 1988 and 1991, when it was called Middle Harbour. Collins served as Health Minister and Treasurer amongst other portfolios throughout the Liberal Government until its defeat by the Australian Labor Party led by Bob Carr in 1995. Collins was immediately elected opposition leader, however was deposed by Kerry Chikarovski in 1998 without having even faced an election. Collins remained in the Parliament until 2003 at which time he did not contest the general election.[1]
