Peter Abetz
Western Australian Parliament for Southern River | |
|---|---|
| In office 6 September 2008 – 11 March 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Andrews |
| Succeeded by | Terry Healy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 December 1952 Liberal Party |
| Relations | Eric Abetz Otto Abetz |
| Occupation | Minister of religion |
| Website | http://www.peterabetz.com |
Peter Abetz (born 17 December 1952) is an Australian former politician who was a
Biography
Abetz is one of six children. His parents migrated to Tasmania from Germany in 1961.
Abetz attended Moonah and Blackmans Bay State Schools, completed his high schooling at
In 1974, Peter Abetz 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.
State political career
Abetz ran as a candidate for the
Abetz served as a member of the Education & Health Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly in his first term. From 2013, he served as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Delegation Legislation.
In November 2009 Abetz supported legislation to give police the power to search individuals for illicit weapons or drugs, without suspicion or belief that a crime had been committed. Abetz referenced Adolf Hitler's rise to power as an example of people's preference for security, later saying "When it comes to the crunch, people prefer to be safe than to have freedom,"[4].[5] Premier of Western Australia Colin Barnett said that Abetz was making a valid point.[6]
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.[7]
At the 2013 state election he achieved a 15% swing, holding his seat with 67% of the two-party-preferred vote. Following redistributed boundaries, he suffered a defeat the 2017 state election he suffered a swing of 20.8%, the largest against any sitting member.[8]
Abetz opposed same-sex marriage.[9]
After state politics
Abetz was elected as a Councillor for the City of Gosnells in 2017, and became Deputy Mayor of the City in 2019.[10]
In 2018, Abetz was appointed as the WA State Director for the Australian Christian Lobby.[11] Abetz raised concerns regarding surrogacy and specifically the deprivation for children of a mother or father.[12]
See also
References
- ^ Parliament of Western Australia (2008) Hansard Extract, Tuesday, 11 November 2008
- ^ Wilson, Peter (2002). The Australian Political Almanack.
- ^ "Current Members - Mr Peter Abetz MLA". Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ^ "Hitler cited over stop and search laws – ABC Local – Australian Broadcasting Corporation". Abc.net.au. 11 November 2009. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "ABC News". www.abc.net.au. 12 November 2009. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
- ^ Dr. Martin Drum, Is faith a "no go area" in modern politics? A case study of newly elected MPs in Western Australia’s State Parliament, Nebula 7.4.
- ^ "Southern River District Results | Western Australian Electoral Commission". Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "Peter Abetz concedes he's lost his seat of Southern River | OUTInPerth | LGBTQIA+ News and Culture".
- ^ "Peter Abetz". Business News. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ "Australian Christian Lobby's Peter Abetz voices opposition to surrogacy". 16 January 2018.
- ^ "The Next Step In Rainbow Political Agenda". 15 January 2018.
