Peter Abetz

Peter Abetz (born 17 December 1952) is an Australian politician who was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly at the 2008 state election, as the member for Southern River, which takes in the Perth suburbs of Canning Vale, Southern River and Huntingdale. As the Liberal Party candidate, he won the seat from Labor Party incumbent, Paul Andrews, by a margin of 1.65%.

Biography

Abetz is one of six children. His parents migrated to Tasmania from Germany in 1961.^[1] His father, a radio technician, decided to emigrate after reading in a newspaper that a trade mission led by the minister responsible for the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Commission was visiting Stuttgart in search of skilled workers for employment in "The Hydro's" power projects, on which his father subsequently worked.^[2] Abetz's younger brother, Eric Abetz has represented the state of Tasmania in the Australian Senate since 1994, serving as a minister in the Howard and Abbott governments. Abetz is the great-nephew of SS-Brigadeführer Otto Abetz, Nazi German ambassador to Vichy France from 1940 to 1944. He is also related on his mother's side to German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, famed for leading his army from the front rather than the rear, and who was the first active-duty field marshal to become involved in the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Abetz attended Moonah and Blackmans Bay State Schools, completed his high schooling at Taroona High School and matriculated in one year at Hobart Matriculation College in 1969. He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) degree from the University of Tasmania, and a Bachelor of Divinity from the Reformed Theological College in Geelong. He is married to Jenny (née Hoogenhout) and has five adult children.

Peter Abetz holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and, on graduating in 1974, worked as a farm advisory officer in the Tasmanian Department of Agriculture based in Huonville, before running a small statewide rural supplies business. After completing a Bachelor of Divinity,^[3] he was ordained as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and served in that capacity for 25 years before entering Parliament. He served congregations in Dandenong, Victoria, Willetton, Western Australia and North Beach, Western Australia. On being elected to parliament he took up residence in the electorate of Southern River.

Political career

Abetz ran as a Liberal Party candidate for the Labor-held Legislative Assembly seat of Southern River in the 2008 Western Australian state election. He defeated the sitting member, Paul Andrews.

Abetz served as a member of the Education & Health Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly in his first term. Since 2013, he has been serving as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Delegation Legislation.

In 2010 he introduced a private member's bill for the purpose of providing additional protection to franchisees. The Bill proceeded to the second reading stage, but was defeated in November 2011 on the casting vote of the Speaker. As a Christian, Abetz has been called one of "God's squad" in the WA Parliament for his eagerness to mention his faith in his public life.^[4]

At the 2013 state election Abetz achieved a 15% swing and now holds his seat with 67% of the two-party-preferred vote.^[5]

Interests

Abetz has a strong interest in environmental issues, sustainable farming, health, educational and social issues, with a special interest in indigenous affairs. He also has a keen interest in small business issues. He is also an enthusiastic member of the Volkswagen Car Club of Western Australia.

References