Eric Abetz
Encyclopedia
Eric Abetz has been a Liberal Party
member of the Australian Senate
since February 1994, representing the state of Tasmania
. He is currently Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. He was educated at the University of Tasmania
and was a barrister and solicitor before entering politics. He was Tasmanian State President of the Liberal Party 1990-1994.
' power schemes. His father was one of those employed by that scheme. Abetz's brother is Reverend Peter Abetz
who won the lower house seat of Southern River in the 2008 Western Australian state election
for the Liberal Party. Abetz is the great-nephew of SS-Brigadeführer Otto Abetz
, Nazi German ambassador to Vichy France
from 1940 to 1944.
, Hobart Matriculation College
and the University of Tasmania
, earning degrees in law and arts in 1981. He notes that his political ideology was moulded by his university experience, where he was told that his exam results would not be credited unless he joined the Australian Union of Students
, saying "I found the notion of "no ticket, no start" to be repulsive and obnoxious and still do". In 1980-1981, he became the only Tasmanian to become national president of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation
, during which time he came into political conflict with Nick Sherry
and Sue Mackay
, both later to be Australian Labor Party
senators.
in 1994, and was elected in his own right at the subsequent 1998 election and re-elected in 2004. Abetz was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1998-2001 and was Special Minister of State
from January 2001 until 2006.
He has served as Chairman of the Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund Committee and Chairman of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Attorney-General and Justice Government Members' Committee.
He was a member of a Parliamentary Delegation which visited France
and Belgium
in June and July 1997, and made an official visit to the United Kingdom
in September 1999.
He was Minister for Forestry from a reshuffle of the Howard ministry
in January 2006 until its defeat at the 2007 election. He commenced his portfolio by attacking the Australian Greens
and environmentalists in general as anti-Australian. He described the campaign against woodchipping as "akin to treason" and branded the Greens an "extreme left" party. This allowed him to position the government's priorities as mainstream issues which both major parties wanted action on.
Abetz was re-elected in the 2010 election and is the Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations; and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Abetz is a Christian
and a member of the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
. Throughout his political career he has been variously associated with conservative groups, including the Association of Christian Parent Controlled Schools, Salt Shakers, Focus on the Family
, Lyons Forum
, Endeavour Forum, Family Council of Victoria, Fatherhood Foundation, Australian Christian Lobby
, Australian Family Association
and Right to Life Australia
.
, which involved allegations that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
and Treasurer Wayne Swan
had improperly given favourable treatment to a car dealer, John Grant, who was a friend of the Prime Minister. At a Senate inquiry on 19 June, Abetz asked a series of questions of a Treasury official, Godwin Grech, who testified that he had a "recollection" that a member of Rudd's staff had sent him an email in February, asking that he provide preferential treatment to Grant. Abetz read out the text of what he said was an email, which purported to ask for preferential treatment for Grant.
On 4 August 2009, Grech admitted that he had forged the email. Abetz then issued an apology, saying: "I am not only sorry to Malcolm Turnbull but to the Australian people and any anguish that may have been occasioned to Kevin Rudd and other people."
after receiving documentation of Abetz's renunciation of German citizenship. As a result, the High Court never heard the claim.
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...
member of the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
since February 1994, representing the state of Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. He is currently Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. He was educated at the University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
and was a barrister and solicitor before entering politics. He was Tasmanian State President of the Liberal Party 1990-1994.
Family
The youngest of six children, Abetz emigrated with his parents to Australia in 1961. His father, a radio technician, decided to emigrate after reading in a newspaper that a trade mission led by the minister responsible for the Tasmanian Hydro Electric Commission was visiting Stuttgart in search of skilled workers for employment in new 'HydroHydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
' power schemes. His father was one of those employed by that scheme. Abetz's brother is Reverend Peter Abetz
Peter Abetz
Peter Abetz is an Australian politician. Peter Abetz holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and a Bachelor of Divinity. In the 2008 Western Australian state election, he was the Liberal Party candidate for the Labor-held seat of Southern River...
who won the lower house seat of Southern River in the 2008 Western Australian state election
Western Australian state election, 2008
A general election was held in the state of Western Australia on Saturday 6 September 2008 to elect 59 members to the Legislative Assembly and 36 members to the Legislative Council...
for the Liberal Party. Abetz is the great-nephew of SS-Brigadeführer Otto Abetz
Otto Abetz
Dr. Heinrich Otto Abetz was the German ambassador to Vichy France during World War II.-Early years:Abetz was born in Schwetzingen on May 26, 1903. He was the son of an estate manager, who died when Otto was only 13...
, Nazi German ambassador to Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
from 1940 to 1944.
Studies
Abetz studied at Taroona High SchoolTaroona High School
Taroona High School is a co-educational state high school located in Taroona, a southern riverside suburb of greater Hobart, the capital of the island state Tasmania. The school has approximately 740 students in grades 7 to 10. In 2003, Taroona High School underwent a major redevelopment...
, Hobart Matriculation College
Hobart College (Tasmania)
Hobart College was, until January 2009, a senior secondary college located at Mount Nelson, in Hobart, Tasmania.In January 2009 it became the Hobart Campus of the Tasmanian Polytechnic and the Tasmanian Academy, formed as part of the Tasmania Tomorrow reforms.The Hobart Campus now offers courses...
and the University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
, earning degrees in law and arts in 1981. He notes that his political ideology was moulded by his university experience, where he was told that his exam results would not be credited unless he joined the Australian Union of Students
Australian Union of Students
The Australian Union of Students was formed in December 1970 as the successor to the National Union of Australian University Students as a representative body and lobby group for Australian University and College of Advanced Education students. It collapsed in 1984 and was succeeded by the...
, saying "I found the notion of "no ticket, no start" to be repulsive and obnoxious and still do". In 1980-1981, he became the only Tasmanian to become national president of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation
Australian Liberal Students' Federation
The Australian Liberal Stduents' Federation or ALSF is an Australian students political group. The ALSF is the peak national body for over thirty campus Liberal Clubs. While the ALSF carries similar ideology to the Liberal Party of Australia and works closely with the party it is an Independent...
, during which time he came into political conflict with Nick Sherry
Nick Sherry
Nicholas John Sherry , Australian politician, has been a member of the Australian Senate for the state of Tasmania since July 1990, representing the Australian Labor Party. Sherry was sworn in as the Assistant Treasurer on 9 June 2009, after serving as the first Australian Minister for...
and Sue Mackay
Sue Mackay
Sue Mary Mackay is an Australian politician. She was a Labor member of the Australian Senate representing the state of Tasmania. She was appointed to the Senate on 8 March 1996 and resigned on 29 July 2005....
, both later to be 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...
senators.
Political career
He won preselection to fill the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Brian ArcherBrian Archer
Brian Roper Archer was an Australian Senator who represented the Liberal Party for the state of Tasmania. He served as a Senator for from 13 December 1975 to 31 January 1994....
in 1994, and was elected in his own right at the subsequent 1998 election and re-elected in 2004. Abetz was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1998-2001 and was Special Minister of State
Special Minister of State
The Special Minister of State , currently the Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity is a ministerial portfolio in the Australian Government Department of Finance and Deregulation responsible for various parliamentary, electoral, financial and oversight affairs.Other areas...
from January 2001 until 2006.
He has served as Chairman of the Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund Committee and Chairman of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Attorney-General and Justice Government Members' Committee.
He was a member of a Parliamentary Delegation which visited France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and 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...
in June and July 1997, and made an official visit to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in September 1999.
He was Minister for Forestry from a reshuffle of the Howard ministry
Fourth Howard Ministry
The Fourth Howard Ministry was the 64th Australian ministry.It was sworn in by the Governor-General Major-General Michael Jeffery on 22 October 2004, and it ended on 3 December 2007 when the Prime Minister resigned his commission after losing the 2007 election to the Australian Labor Party led by...
in January 2006 until its defeat at the 2007 election. He commenced his portfolio by attacking the Australian Greens
Australian Greens
The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which...
and environmentalists in general as anti-Australian. He described the campaign against woodchipping as "akin to treason" and branded the Greens an "extreme left" party. This allowed him to position the government's priorities as mainstream issues which both major parties wanted action on.
Abetz was re-elected in the 2010 election and is the Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations; and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Abetz is a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and a member of the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
The Christian Reformed Churches of Australia is a Christian denomination established in Australia belonging to the Reformed/Presbyterian tradition.-Background:...
. Throughout his political career he has been variously associated with conservative groups, including the Association of Christian Parent Controlled Schools, Salt Shakers, Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
, Lyons Forum
Lyons Forum
The Lyons Forum was a ginger group or informal political faction comprising some federal members of conservative Australian parliamentary parties. It was formed in the early 1990s and was active both in Liberal Party of Australia parliamentary leadership conflict and on family policy issues. The...
, Endeavour Forum, Family Council of Victoria, Fatherhood Foundation, Australian Christian Lobby
Australian Christian Lobby
The Australian Christian Lobby is a Christian political lobby group having a head office in Canberra and branches in six Australian states and territories. Its motto is "Voice for values". Its managing director is Jim Wallace AM....
, Australian Family Association
Australian Family Association
The Australian Family Association is a conservative political organisation with the aim of supporting and strengthening traditional family values. It was founded in 1980 by the National Civic Council's then president, B. A...
and Right to Life Australia
Right to Life Australia
Right to Life Australia is an organisation which advocates pro-life positions in issues such as abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research.Right to Life was started in 1973 by Margaret Tighe as Right to Life Victoria...
.
OzCar affair
In mid 2009 Abetz was a central figure in the OzCar affairOzCar affair
The OzCar affair refers to a 2009 controversy in Australian federal politics, revolving around allegations made by then Federal Leader of the Opposition and Liberal leader, Malcolm Turnbull, that the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and/or the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, had acted improperly on behalf of a...
, which involved allegations that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
and Treasurer Wayne Swan
Wayne Swan
Wayne Maxwell Swan is the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and an Australian politician. He has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1993 to 1996, and then re elected in 1998 till today , representing the Division of Lilley, QLD...
had improperly given favourable treatment to a car dealer, John Grant, who was a friend of the Prime Minister. At a Senate inquiry on 19 June, Abetz asked a series of questions of a Treasury official, Godwin Grech, who testified that he had a "recollection" that a member of Rudd's staff had sent him an email in February, asking that he provide preferential treatment to Grant. Abetz read out the text of what he said was an email, which purported to ask for preferential treatment for Grant.
On 4 August 2009, Grech admitted that he had forged the email. Abetz then issued an apology, saying: "I am not only sorry to Malcolm Turnbull but to the Australian people and any anguish that may have been occasioned to Kevin Rudd and other people."
Eligibility to hold Senate office
On 30 July 2010, a Tasmanian resident, John Hawkins, lodged an objection to Eric Abetz's nomination for reelection alleging that Abetz holds dual citizenship of both his birthplace, Germany, and Australia. The Australian Constitution prevents someone who is a citizen of a foreign country from holding Parliamentary office. Hawkins subsequently withdrew the petition to the High Court of AustraliaHigh Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia is the supreme court in the Australian court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, has the power of judicial review over laws passed by the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of the States, and...
after receiving documentation of Abetz's renunciation of German citizenship. As a result, the High Court never heard the claim.