Ted Baillieu
Encyclopedia
Edward Norman "Ted" Baillieu MLA
(born 31 July 1953) is an Australian politician. He is currently the Premier of Victoria and the member for the Legislative Assembly
seat of Hawthorn
. He has been the leader of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia
since May 2006 and Premier of Victoria since 2 December 2010 after the Liberal/Nationals Coalition
defeated the Brumby
-led Labor Party government with 45 seats to 43 in the Legislative Assembly.
(the widow of state Liberal politician Julian Doyle
) and Olympic oarsman and America's Cup yachtsman Will Baillieu.
Baillieu was raised in the Melbourne
suburb of Toorak
, educated at Melbourne Grammar School
and the University of Melbourne
(where he graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Architecture
) degree and was an architect
by profession before entering the Victorian Parliament.
He is a descendant from the Baillieu family
dynasty of French Belgian ancestry.
's insistence, Baillieu nominated for Liberal Party preselection for the State seat of Hawthorn
at the 1999 election, to replace the retiring member Phil Gude. Baillieu was successful. It was at this election that Steve Bracks
unexpectedly led the Australian Labor Party
to victory, with the support of three country independents, one a former Labor supporter and the other two conservatives.
Since his entry into Parliament, Baillieu has been a permanent member of the Liberal Party frontbench
. He has served as Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training (1999–2001), Gaming (July 2000 – August 2002) and Planning (September 2001 – May 2006).
, who resigned his position on 4 May 2006.
After Doyle's resignation, speculation mounted that former Victorian Premier
Jeff Kennett
would return to politics and the position of Liberal Party Leader in order to lead the party into the 2006 state election
which was held on 25 November 2006. However on the morning of 5 May 2006, Baillieu in announcing his candidacy for the party leadership revealed that Kennett would withdraw from the leadership race and throw his support behind Baillieu. Later that afternoon, Baillieu's only other challenger for the position, Shadow Minister for Transport Terry Mulder
also withdrew from the race.
Six months after assuming leadership of the Liberals, Baillieu lead the campaign in the 2006 election
. The Labor party, keen to exploit Baillieu's wealth, dubbed him, Ted the Toff from Toorak.
Throughout the campaign, media stories about Baillieu's extensive blue chip share portfolio, at the time estimated to be worth almost $4 million, raised questions about conflicts of interest. Baillieu's handling of the issue and his refusal to place his investments in a blind trust was thought to have hurt the Liberal Party during the campaign.
On 25 November 2006, the Liberal Party lost the state election under Ted Baillieu's leadership, though gaining an extra 6 of the 88 lower house seats.
In a speech at the State Council of the Victorian Liberal Party, Ted Ballieu opposed the push by John Howard
for nuclear reactors in Victoria.
An online campaign against Baillieu by senior Liberal Party members was uncovered and made public, with Baillieu promising to root out the disloyal elements in his party. The media suspected that forces loyal to former Federal Treasurer Peter Costello and former State Party President Michael Kroger had attempted to undermine Baillieu.
In February 2008, at a joint news conference it was announced that the Victorian Nationals and Liberals would join in a new Coalition agreement forged between Leaders Ted Baillieu and Peter Ryan
. As part of the arrangement, both parties agreed to hold joint party meetings, develop joint policies, allocate five shadow cabinet positions to the Nationals, abolish three-cornered contests (unless otherwise agreed) and run joint legislative council tickets in the non-metropolitan Regions.
In 2008, Baillieu declared his support for abortion law reform in Victoria.
contested the 2010 Victorian state election
as the alternative Premier of Victoria and Nationals Leader Peter Ryan
as the alternative Deputy Premier
. Baillieu focused during the election campaign mainly on the policies of health, law and order, government expenditure and the longevity and the ability of the incumbent Labor government to deliver during a record fourth term for Labor. Until election eve, polling indicated a tight Labor government re-election. The final Newspoll saw a two party preferred figure of 48.9 percent for Labor and 51.1 percent to the Liberals and Nationals.
Two days after the election, on Monday 29 November, Premier John Brumby
conceded defeat after it became clear that his government had lost its majority to the opposition. The Coalition won 45 seats to Labor's 43, with a parliamentary majority of just one seat with the appointment of Ken Smith
as Speaker
. On 2 December, Baillieu was sworn in as the 46th Premier of Victoria, along with 22 of the Baillieu/Ryan government ministers
.
from Liège
, Belgium
. The current Baron Baillieu of Sefton in the Commonwealth of Australia and of Parkwood in the County of Surrey
, James William Latham Baillieu, 3rd Baron Baillieu (b. 1950) is his third-cousin. Ted Baillieu is also the great-grandson of Victorian politician William Knox.
Baillieu is married to Robyn and has three children: Martha, Eleanor and Robert. He is a supporter of the Geelong Football Club
where he is a joint convener of 'We Are Geelong Supporters' (WAGS). Baillieu is a regular Sunday morning swimmer with the Brighton Icebergs. He regularly enters the Pier to Pub
swim organised by the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club. He also plays golf and basketball.
In December 2010, Baillieu underwent surgery at the Epworth Hospital
to remove a kidney stone.
Baillieu is a member of the following organisations:
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Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
(born 31 July 1953) is an Australian politician. He is currently the Premier of Victoria and the member for the Legislative Assembly
Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia. Together with the Victorian Legislative Council, the upper house, it sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Melbourne.-History:...
seat of Hawthorn
Electoral district of Hawthorn
The Electoral district of Hawthorn is an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It was first proclaimed in 1889 and has usually been a safe seat for the Liberal Party and its predecessors....
. He has been the leader of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
since May 2006 and Premier of Victoria since 2 December 2010 after the Liberal/Nationals Coalition
Coalition (Australia)
The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a group of centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922...
defeated the Brumby
John Brumby
John Mansfield Brumby , is an Australian Labor Party politician who was Premier of Victoria from 2007 to 2010. He became Premier after the resignation of Steve Bracks. He also served as the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. He contested his first election...
-led Labor Party government with 45 seats to 43 in the Legislative Assembly.
Early life
Baillieu is the youngest son of Darren and Diana Baillieu. He is also the younger brother of solicitor Ian Baillieu, former ABC presenter Fiona Baillieu, author David Baillieu, former journalist and Portsea activist Kate BaillieuKate Baillieu
Katharine Jean Baillieu is an Australian journalist who was born in Melbourne on 7 January 1946. She is the fourth of seven children of Darren and Diana Baillieu...
(the widow of state Liberal politician Julian Doyle
Julian Doyle
Julian John Doyle was an Australian lawyer, politician and civil servant. He served as a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Gisborne from 1967–1971.-Early life :...
) and Olympic oarsman and America's Cup yachtsman Will Baillieu.
Baillieu was raised in the 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...
suburb of Toorak
Toorak, Victoria
Toorak is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district located on a rise on the south side of a bend in the Yarra River. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington...
, educated at Melbourne Grammar School
Melbourne Grammar School
Melbourne Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school predominantly for boys, located in South Yarra and Caulfield, suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
and the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
(where he graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
The Bachelor of Architecture is an undergraduate academic degree designed to satisfy the academic component of professional accreditation bodies, to be followed by a period of practical training prior to professional examination and registration. It is awarded for a course of study that lasts up...
) degree and was an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
by profession before entering the Victorian Parliament.
He is a descendant from the Baillieu family
Baillieu family
Baillieu may refer to:* Chris Baillieu , rower* Clive Baillieu, 1st Baron Baillieu , businessman and public servant* Kate Baillieu , heiress and activist* Marshall Baillieu , politician...
dynasty of French Belgian ancestry.
Early career
Baillieu worked as an architect and for a time joining the family real estate firm Baillieu Knight Frank. The Labor Party ran an election advertisement campaign in 2006 and 2010 claiming he profited from Liberal government policies. Baillieu also was employed by Tourism Victoria from 1998 to 1999 before entering politics.Political career
Baillieu joined the Carlton branch of the Liberal Party in 1981 because of his frustration at the power of unions on building sites. By 1987 he was Vice-President of the Victorian Liberal Party and President in 1994. At Jeff KennettJeff Kennett
Jeffrey Gibb Kennett AC , a former Australian politician, was the Premier of Victoria between 1992 and 1999. He is currently the President of Hawthorn Football Club. He is the founding Chairman of beyondblue, a national depression initiative.- Early life :Kennett was born in Melbourne on 2 March...
's insistence, Baillieu nominated for Liberal Party preselection for the State seat of Hawthorn
Electoral district of Hawthorn
The Electoral district of Hawthorn is an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It was first proclaimed in 1889 and has usually been a safe seat for the Liberal Party and its predecessors....
at the 1999 election, to replace the retiring member Phil Gude. Baillieu was successful. It was at this election that Steve Bracks
Steve Bracks
Stephen Philip Bracks AC is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria. He first won the electoral district of Williamstown in 1994 for the Australian Labor Party, and was party leader and Premier from 1999 to 2007....
unexpectedly led the Australian Labor Party
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...
to victory, with the support of three country independents, one a former Labor supporter and the other two conservatives.
Since his entry into Parliament, Baillieu has been a permanent member of the Liberal Party frontbench
Frontbencher
In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then known as being on the frontbench and are described as...
. He has served as Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training (1999–2001), Gaming (July 2000 – August 2002) and Planning (September 2001 – May 2006).
Liberal Party leadership
Baillieu was elected unopposed as the Opposition Leader of Victoria on 8 May 2006 by the Liberal Party room, replacing Robert DoyleRobert Doyle
Robert Keith Bennett Doyle is an Australian politician and the 103rd Lord Mayor of Melbourne, elected on 30 November 2008...
, who resigned his position on 4 May 2006.
After Doyle's resignation, speculation mounted that former Victorian Premier
Premiers of Victoria
The Premier of Victoria is the leader of the government in the Australian state of Victoria. The Premier is appointed by the Governor of Victoria, and is the leader of the political party able to secure a majority in the Legislative Assembly....
Jeff Kennett
Jeff Kennett
Jeffrey Gibb Kennett AC , a former Australian politician, was the Premier of Victoria between 1992 and 1999. He is currently the President of Hawthorn Football Club. He is the founding Chairman of beyondblue, a national depression initiative.- Early life :Kennett was born in Melbourne on 2 March...
would return to politics and the position of Liberal Party Leader in order to lead the party into the 2006 state election
Victorian state election, 2006
An election for the 56th Parliament of Victoria took place on Saturday, 25 November 2006. Just over 3 million Victorians registered to vote elected 88 members to the Legislative Assembly and, for the first time, 40 members to the Legislative Council under a proportional representation system...
which was held on 25 November 2006. However on the morning of 5 May 2006, Baillieu in announcing his candidacy for the party leadership revealed that Kennett would withdraw from the leadership race and throw his support behind Baillieu. Later that afternoon, Baillieu's only other challenger for the position, Shadow Minister for Transport Terry Mulder
Terry Mulder
Terence Wynne "Terry" Mulder is an Australian politician. He has been a Liberal member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 1999, representing the Colac-based electorate of Polwarth. He is currently Minister for Transport and Roads.Mulder was born in Colac, and attended Trinity College, but...
also withdrew from the race.
Six months after assuming leadership of the Liberals, Baillieu lead the campaign in the 2006 election
Victorian state election, 2006
An election for the 56th Parliament of Victoria took place on Saturday, 25 November 2006. Just over 3 million Victorians registered to vote elected 88 members to the Legislative Assembly and, for the first time, 40 members to the Legislative Council under a proportional representation system...
. The Labor party, keen to exploit Baillieu's wealth, dubbed him, Ted the Toff from Toorak.
Throughout the campaign, media stories about Baillieu's extensive blue chip share portfolio, at the time estimated to be worth almost $4 million, raised questions about conflicts of interest. Baillieu's handling of the issue and his refusal to place his investments in a blind trust was thought to have hurt the Liberal Party during the campaign.
On 25 November 2006, the Liberal Party lost the state election under Ted Baillieu's leadership, though gaining an extra 6 of the 88 lower house seats.
In a speech at the State Council of the Victorian Liberal Party, Ted Ballieu opposed the push by John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
for nuclear reactors in Victoria.
An online campaign against Baillieu by senior Liberal Party members was uncovered and made public, with Baillieu promising to root out the disloyal elements in his party. The media suspected that forces loyal to former Federal Treasurer Peter Costello and former State Party President Michael Kroger had attempted to undermine Baillieu.
In February 2008, at a joint news conference it was announced that the Victorian Nationals and Liberals would join in a new Coalition agreement forged between Leaders Ted Baillieu and Peter Ryan
Peter Ryan (politician)
Peter Julian Ryan is an Australian politician and leader of the National Party in Victoria. He has represented the electoral district of Gippsland South since 1992, and has been the Deputy Premier of Victoria, Minister for Police as well as the Minister for Rural and Regional Development since 2...
. As part of the arrangement, both parties agreed to hold joint party meetings, develop joint policies, allocate five shadow cabinet positions to the Nationals, abolish three-cornered contests (unless otherwise agreed) and run joint legislative council tickets in the non-metropolitan Regions.
In 2008, Baillieu declared his support for abortion law reform in Victoria.
Premier of Victoria
Baillieu as Leader of the OppositionLeader of the Opposition (Victoria)
The Leader of the Opposition in Victoria is the leader of the largest political party in parliament but not in government. He or she is always a member of the Legislative Assembly...
contested the 2010 Victorian state election
Victorian state election, 2010
The 2010 Victorian state election was held on 27 November. The incumbent centre-left Australian Labor Party government, led by John Brumby, was defeated by the centre-right Liberal/National Coalition opposition, led by Ted Baillieu....
as the alternative Premier of Victoria and Nationals Leader Peter Ryan
Peter Ryan (politician)
Peter Julian Ryan is an Australian politician and leader of the National Party in Victoria. He has represented the electoral district of Gippsland South since 1992, and has been the Deputy Premier of Victoria, Minister for Police as well as the Minister for Rural and Regional Development since 2...
as the alternative Deputy Premier
Deputy Premier of Victoria
The Deputy Premier of Victoria is the second-most senior officer in the Government of Victoria. The Deputy Premiership has been a ministerial portfolio since , and the Deputy Premier is appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Premier....
. Baillieu focused during the election campaign mainly on the policies of health, law and order, government expenditure and the longevity and the ability of the incumbent Labor government to deliver during a record fourth term for Labor. Until election eve, polling indicated a tight Labor government re-election. The final Newspoll saw a two party preferred figure of 48.9 percent for Labor and 51.1 percent to the Liberals and Nationals.
Two days after the election, on Monday 29 November, Premier John Brumby
John Brumby
John Mansfield Brumby , is an Australian Labor Party politician who was Premier of Victoria from 2007 to 2010. He became Premier after the resignation of Steve Bracks. He also served as the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. He contested his first election...
conceded defeat after it became clear that his government had lost its majority to the opposition. The Coalition won 45 seats to Labor's 43, with a parliamentary majority of just one seat with the appointment of Ken Smith
Ken Smith (politician)
Kenneth Maurice Smith is an Australian politician who is currently the member for Bass in the Victorian Legislative Assembly and Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly....
as Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
. On 2 December, Baillieu was sworn in as the 46th Premier of Victoria, along with 22 of the Baillieu/Ryan government ministers
Baillieu Ministry
The Baillieu Ministry is the 67th ministry of the Government of Victoria. It is led by the Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu, and Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan. It succeeded the Brumby Ministry on 2 December 2010, following the defeat of the Labor government at the 2010 state...
.
Personal life
Baillieu is of French Belgian ancestry, his great-great-great-grandfather, Étienne Lambert Baillieux (1773–1816) having migrated to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
from Liège
Liège
Liège is a major city and municipality of Belgium located in the province of Liège, of which it is the economic capital, in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium....
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The current Baron Baillieu of Sefton in the Commonwealth of Australia and of Parkwood in the County of Surrey
Baron Baillieu
Baron Baillieu, of Sefton in the Commonwealth of Australia and of Parkwood in the County of Surrey, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1953 for the businessman and public servant, Sir Clive Baillieu, the son of the Australian financier and politician William Baillieu...
, James William Latham Baillieu, 3rd Baron Baillieu (b. 1950) is his third-cousin. Ted Baillieu is also the great-grandson of Victorian politician William Knox.
Baillieu is married to Robyn and has three children: Martha, Eleanor and Robert. He is a supporter of the Geelong Football Club
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
where he is a joint convener of 'We Are Geelong Supporters' (WAGS). Baillieu is a regular Sunday morning swimmer with the Brighton Icebergs. He regularly enters the Pier to Pub
Pier to Pub
The Lorne Pier to Pub is an annual, 1.2-km open water swimming race held in January at Lorne, a town located on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia...
swim organised by the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club. He also plays golf and basketball.
In December 2010, Baillieu underwent surgery at the Epworth Hospital
Epworth Hospital
-Epworth HealthCare:Epworth HealthCare is a provider of acute medical, surgical and rehabilitation services in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The group has four divisions: Epworth Richmond, Epworth Eastern, Epworth Cliveden, Epworth Freemasons and Epworth Rehabilitation, with rehabilitation sites...
to remove a kidney stone.
Baillieu is a member of the following organisations:
- Australian Institute of Architects
- Geelong Football ClubGeelong Football ClubThe Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
- Melbourne Cricket ClubMelbourne Cricket ClubThe Melbourne Cricket Club is a sporting club based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1838 and is regarded as the oldest sporting club in Australia....
- Melbourne Rugby Union Football ClubMelbourne Rugby Union Football ClubMelbourne Rugby Union Football Club, also known as the Unicorns are a rugby club in Melbourne, Australia. The team was founded in 1926. They play at Romanis Reserve in green, blue and gold jerseys.-History:...
- Melbourne Savage ClubMelbourne Savage ClubMelbourne Savage Club is a private Australian gentlemen's club founded in 1894, primarily for professionals in the arts and sciences, politics and business.Dr...
- Melbourne Victory FC
- Rotary ClubRotary InternationalRotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
of Glenferrie - Royal Melbourne Golf ClubRoyal Melbourne Golf ClubRoyal Melbourne Golf Club is a golf club located in Black Rock, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia with two courses. Royal Melbourne has hosted numerous national and international events, including the 1959 Canada Cup , and the 1970 World Cup...
- Sorrento Golf Club
- Ted is a member of the Patrons Council of the Epilepsy Foundation of VictoriaEpilepsy Foundation of VictoriaThe Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria is an Australian charity that was formed by a group of concerned parents in May 1964 to provide support and information to all Victorians affected by epilepsy...
.
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