Tom Koutsantonis
Encyclopedia
Anastasios "Tom" Koutsantonis (born 23 August 1971) is a South Australia
n politician and a member of the Australian Labor Party
, representing the seat of West Torrens
in the South Australian House of Assembly
. He is the current Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Gambling, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs in the current Rann
cabinet.
Koutsantonis, a Greek-Australian, was born in Adelaide
and attended Netley Primary School and Adelaide High School
. As a student at the University of Adelaide
he became involved in Australian Young Labor
, drove taxis and went on to run a small business before becoming an industrial officer for the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association
.
Koutsantonis was elected to the seat of Peake (now West Torrens) at the 1997 election on a margin of 4.5 per cent, then by 8.6 per cent at the 2002 election, and by 18.3 per cent at the 2006 election, after which Koutsantonis was elevated to the chairmanship of the economic and advisory committee. In 2009, he was elevated to cabinet. Forty-seven days after being appointed Minister for Road Safety, Koutsantonis was forced to apologise for his "unacceptable" driving record which listed 58 traffic offences and over $10,000 in fines. He subsequently resigned the portfolio.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
n politician and a member of 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...
, representing the seat of West Torrens
Electoral district of West Torrens
West Torrens is an electoral district of the House of Assembly in the Australian state of South Australia. Named after the City of West Torrens because of its location on the River Torrens, it is a 26.7 km² urban electorate on Adelaide's western suburbs...
in 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 :...
. He is the current Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Gambling, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs in the current Rann
Mike Rann
Michael David Rann MHA, CNZM , Australian politician, served as the 44th Premier of South Australia. He led the South Australian branch of the Australian Labor Party to minority government at the 2002 election, before attaining a landslide win at the 2006 election...
cabinet.
Koutsantonis, a Greek-Australian, was born in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
and attended Netley Primary School and Adelaide High School
Adelaide High School
Adelaide High School is a coeducational state high school situated on the corner of West Terrace and Glover Avenue in the Adelaide Parklands. It is the first government high school in South Australia...
. As a student at 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...
he became involved in Australian Young Labor
Australian Young Labor
Australian Young Labor is the youth wing of the Australian Labor Party. All ALP members aged under 26 are automatically members. Australian Young Labor is the peak youth body within the ALP. It represents about 9500 members in every state and territory in Australia...
, drove taxis and went on to run a small business before becoming an industrial officer for the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association
Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association
The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association is the largest trade union in Australia with more than 230,000 members and branches in every state and one in the Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast region. The SDA is the union for retail and fast-food workers, but does have other...
.
Koutsantonis was elected to the seat of Peake (now West Torrens) at the 1997 election on a margin of 4.5 per cent, then by 8.6 per cent at the 2002 election, and by 18.3 per cent at the 2006 election, after which Koutsantonis was elevated to the chairmanship of the economic and advisory committee. In 2009, he was elevated to cabinet. Forty-seven days after being appointed Minister for Road Safety, Koutsantonis was forced to apologise for his "unacceptable" driving record which listed 58 traffic offences and over $10,000 in fines. He subsequently resigned the portfolio.