Peter Duncan (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
Peter Duncan was an Australian Labor Party
politician and one of the relatively few members of parliament to have not only served in both a state and national parliament, but also served as a minister in both cases.
Peter Duncan was born in Melbourne
, and went to the University of Adelaide
where he studied law and was co-editor of the student newspaper On Dit
in 1968. He was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly
from the electorate of Elizabeth
in the 1973 South Australian election
, when he was 28 years old.
In state parliament Duncan served as Attorney-General from 1975 until the defeat of the Corcoran
Labor government at the 1979 election
. He resigned from state politics in 1984, sparking an Elizabeth by-election, to contest the seat of Makin
in the 1984 Australian election, which he held at every election until defeated when Labor lost office federally in 1996.
Duncan was Minister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Support
for the last half of 1987, and Minister for Employment and Education Services
for over three years from 1988 to 1990. He was then demoted to Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General, a post he held until Labor lost office.
Duncan had a business career after politics, which became a source of controversy when he was charged in September 2007 with 'making an untrue statement in application for a Commonwealth grant and with dishonestly causing loss to a Commonwealth entity'. It was reported that this had occurred in the wake of the failure of his plastics recycling business Omnipol. He was subsequently ordered to stand trial on three counts in the South Australian District Court. Duncan went on trial on 3 November 2008, pleading not guilty. On 11 November he was acquitted on all charges.
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
politician and one of the relatively few members of parliament to have not only served in both a state and national parliament, but also served as a minister in both cases.
Peter Duncan was born in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, and went to the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
where he studied law and was co-editor of the student newspaper On Dit
On Dit
On Dit is a student newspaper funded by the Adelaide University Union and advertising revenue which is published fortnightly during semester time. Founded in 1932, it is the third oldest student newspaper in Australia along with Semper Floreat On Dit is a student newspaper funded by the Adelaide...
in 1968. He was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly
South Australian House of Assembly
The House of Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of South Australia. The other is the Legislative Council. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Adelaide.- Overview :...
from the electorate of Elizabeth
Electoral district of Little Para
Little Para is an electorate for the South Australian Legislative Assembly in the northern suburbs of the Adelaide metropolitan area in South Australia....
in the 1973 South Australian election
South Australian state election, 1973
State elections were held in Australia on 10 March 1973. All 47 seats in the South Australian House of Assembly were up for election. The incumbent Australian Labor Party led by Premier of South Australia Don Dunstan defeated the Liberal and Country League led by Leader of the Opposition Bruce...
, when he was 28 years old.
In state parliament Duncan served as Attorney-General from 1975 until the defeat of the Corcoran
Des Corcoran
James Desmond "Des" Corcoran AO was an Australian politician. He was the 37th Premier of South Australia, serving between 15 February 1979 and 18 September 1979....
Labor government at the 1979 election
South Australian state election, 1979
State elections were held in Australia on 15 September 1979. All 47 seats in the South Australian House of Assembly were up for election. The incumbent Australian Labor Party led by Premier of South Australia Des Corcoran was defeated by the Liberal Party of Australia led by Leader of the...
. He resigned from state politics in 1984, sparking an Elizabeth by-election, to contest the seat of Makin
Division of Makin
The Division of Makin is an electoral division for the Australian House of Representatives located in the northeastern suburbs of Adelaide. Established in 1984 and named after Norman Makin, a former MP and diplomat, it has been a marginal seat at most elections since...
in the 1984 Australian election, which he held at every election until defeated when Labor lost office federally in 1996.
Duncan was Minister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Support
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport is the Hon Anthony Albanese. On 3 December 2007 he replaced the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon Mark Vaile, who held office since August 2006, and the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, the Hon Jim...
for the last half of 1987, and Minister for Employment and Education Services
Minister for Employment Participation (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Employment Participation and Childcare is Kate Ellis, appointed on 14 September 2010. The position is within the portfolio of the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Chris Evans and is administered through the Department of Education,...
for over three years from 1988 to 1990. He was then demoted to Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General, a post he held until Labor lost office.
Duncan had a business career after politics, which became a source of controversy when he was charged in September 2007 with 'making an untrue statement in application for a Commonwealth grant and with dishonestly causing loss to a Commonwealth entity'. It was reported that this had occurred in the wake of the failure of his plastics recycling business Omnipol. He was subsequently ordered to stand trial on three counts in the South Australian District Court. Duncan went on trial on 3 November 2008, pleading not guilty. On 11 November he was acquitted on all charges.