Biography
| Born: | Castlemaine, Victoria |
| Education: | * Castlemaine High School * Monash University (Arts Degree and Diploma of Education) |
| Prior Employment: | Teacher |
| Sporting Background: | * Carlton Football Club (37 senior games between 1971-74) * Subiaco Football Club * Traralgon & Morwell Football Clubs Playing Coach for 10 seasons and 3 Premierships) |
Parliamentary Service
| 1988 - | Elected Member for Gippsland Province. Re-elected 1996 |
| 1992 - 1999 | Convenor Coalition Tertiary Education and Training Committee |
| 1996 - 1999 | Deputy President of Legislative Council |
| 1996 - 1999 | Chairman to the Ministerial Rural Health Advisory Group |
| 1999 - | Deputy Leader of the National Party in Legislative Council |
| 1999 - 2000 | Shadow Minister for Sport & Recreation Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs Shadow Minister for Racing |
| 2000 - | National Party Spokesperson on:- * Education * Tertiary Education * Resources & Environment |
| 2001 | Appointed Leader of the Legislative Council |
| 2002 | Elected Member for Gippsland Province |
| 2006 | Elected Member for Eastern Victoria November 2006. |
|
2008 2010 |
Appointed to the Shadow Ministry Appointed Minister for Higher Education and Skills and Minister reponsible for the Teaching Profession |
More Details...
The Member for Gippsland Province ( now Eastern Victorian Region) since 1988, Peter was born in Castlemaine and educated locally, attending the Castlemaine High School.
While studying for his Arts Degree at Monash University he played for the Carlton Football Club. He graduated from University with majors in Mathematics and Psychology and moved to Traralgon in 1975.
Peter continued his interest in football becoming dual winner of the Latrobe Valley's Best and Fairest Award, as well as coaching both Traralgon (1978 and 1980) and Morwell (1985) to premierships.
Before his election to Parliament, Peter was a secondary school teacher in Traralgon. Peter was Deputy President of the Legislative Council and Chairman of Committees from May 1996 until October 1999. After the 1999 State Election, Peter was elected to the position of Deputy Leader of the National Party in the Legislative Council.
Peter was appointed to the newly reformed Coalition Shadow Ministry in 2008 and had the portfolios of
Skills & Workplace Participation, Tertiary Education & Training.
In December 2010 following the Coaalition's election win, Peter was sworn in as Minister for Higher Education and Skills, and Minister responsivle for the Teaching Profession.
He is married to Kay and has one son, Simon, and two grandsons Ethan and Elliot.
