Martin Pakula
Martin Philip Pakula (born 7 January 1969) is an Australian politician. He has been a Labor Party member of the Parliament of Victoria since 2006: in the Legislative Council for Western Metropolitan Region from 2006 to 2010, and then in the Legislative Assembly for Lyndhurst (2013–2014) and Keysborough (2014–present). He is currently the Minister for Jobs, Innovation & Trade and Minister for Tourism, Sport & Major Events in the Second Andrews Ministry since November 2018, as well as the Minister for Racing since December 2014. He has previously served as Attorney-General (2014–2018) in the First Andrews Ministry, as well as Minister for Industrial Relations (2008–2010), Minister for Industry and Trade (2008–2010) and Minister for Public Transport (2010) in the Brumby Ministry.[1]
Martin Pakula | |
|---|---|
| Minister for the Coordination of Jobs, Precincts and Regions | |
| Assumed office 3 April 2020 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Keysborough | |
| Assumed office 29 November 2014 | |
| Preceded by | New seat |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Lyndhurst | |
| In office 27 April 2013 – 29 November 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Tim Holding |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Western Metropolitan Region | |
| In office 25 November 2006 – 26 March 2013 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 January 1969 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Labor |
Early life
Pakula was born in Melbourne in 1969, the son of immigrants from Poland who were deported during World War II to Uzbekistan. He attended Ormond Primary School and then Haileybury.[2] Following this, he was accepted to study economics and law at Monash University. During his time at Monash he became a leading member of Victorian Young Labor, joining the Labor Party in 1987. He completed his Bachelor of Economics in 1989 and an Honours Degree in Law in 1991. In his final year, he won the Industrial Relations Law prize.
Professional career
After graduating from university, Pakula began work at Macpherson and Kelley Solicitors. In 1993, he became an Industrial Officer at the National Union of Workers. He went on to become State Secretary and National Vice President.
In 2005, Pakula unsuccessfully challenged Simon Crean in the ALP preselection for the seat of Hotham. Pakula was then preselected for ALP's third spot for the Western Metropolitan Region and was elected at the 2006 Victorian state election. Following the election, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Ports under Tim Pallas.
After the resignation of Minister Theo Theophanous in December 2008, Pakula was appointed Minister for Industry and Trade and Minister for Industrial Relations. In January 2010, he replaced Lynne Kosky as Minister for Public Transport following her resignation.[3][4]
On 18 March 2013 he was endorsed as the Labor candidate for the Lyndhurst by-election held on 27 April, caused by the February 2013 resignation of shadow treasurer Tim Holding.[5] Pakula resigned from the Legislative Council on 26 March 2013 to contest Lyndhurst and was successful in retaining the seat for Labor.
On 4 December 2014 he was sworn in as the Victorian Attorney-General, and was replaced by Jill Hennessy following the 2018 Victorian state election.
Cox Plate
Pakula was criticised for his decision to change the health rules so that the Cox Plate racing carnival could take place. He later reversed this after extensive public opposition to the decision.[6]
Personal life
Pakula is married with two children and is a supporter of the Carlton Football Club.[7] He lives in Black Rock.
References
- "Hon Martin Pakula". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- https://www.martinpakula.com.au/details/about/
- http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/ministers/martin-pakula-mlc.html
- Pakula to inherit transport troubles, The Age, 20 January 2010.
- Willingham, Richard (19 March 2013). "Pakula for safe seat". The Age. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- https://7news.com.au/sport/horse-racing/it-was-mistake-andrews-government-backflips-on-decision-to-allow-crowds-at-cox-plate-c-1425285
- "Martin Pakula MLC". Premier of Victoria. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
External links
- Parliamentary profile
- Martin Pakula in Victorian Hansard
- Parliamentary voting record of Martin Pakula at Victorian Parliament Tracker
| Victorian Legislative Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tim Holding |
Member for Lyndhurst 2013–2014 |
Abolished |
| New seat | Member for Keysborough 2014–present |
Incumbent |
| Victorian Legislative Council | ||
| Preceded by New region |
Member for Western Metropolitan 2006–2013 Served alongside: Khalil Eideh Andrew Elsbury Bernie Finn Colleen Hartland Justin Madden |
Succeeded by Cesar Melhem |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Theo Theophanous |
Minister for Industry and Trade 2008–2010 |
Succeeded by Jacinta Allan |
| Preceded by Lynne Kosky |
Minister for Public Transport 2010 |
Succeeded by Terry Mulder |
| Preceded by Robert Clark |
Attorney-General of Victoria 2014–2018 |
Succeeded by Jill Hennessy |
| Preceded by Denis Napthine |
Minister for Racing 2014–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Philip Dalidakis |
Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade 2018–present | |
| Preceded by John Eren |
Minister for Tourism, Sport & Major Events 2018–present | |