Peter Walsh (Victorian politician)

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Peter Walsh

Peter Walsh (born 9 January 1954) is the member for Swan Hill and the Deputy Leader of The Nationals in Victoria.

Walsh was born and raised at Boort in Northern Victoria, attending Fernihurst Primary School and Boort Secondary College.

Before entering Parliament in November, 2002, Walsh operated an irrigated horticulture and cropping enterprise, producing tomatoes, cereals, oilseeds and legumes.

He is currently the Shadow Minister for Agriculture and the Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources. He is also a member of the Government's Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Walsh has previously held positions as:

President, Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) - 1998/2002
Director, SPC Limited 1995/2002
Member of Victoria’s Food Industry Advisory Council 1999/2002
Board Member, National Farmers Federation
President, Horticulture Group VFF – 1994/1998
President Tomato Growers Section, VFF – 1990/1994

Walsh was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2003 for services to the environment.

He is a keen Australian Rules Football fan (his favourite AFL team is Geelong) having served as a Boort player, committee man and selector. He was President of the Boort Football Club between 1988 and 1990.

Walsh was also a member of the local Apex Club from 1982 to 1992, again including a term as President.

Walsh was elected in 2002 with 35% of the primary vote, with 64% of the two party preferred vote.

In 2006, he increased his margin to 47% of the primary vote and a 73% of the two party preferred vote, in line with a large statewide swing towards the Nationals.