Peter Collins (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
Peter Edward James Collins, AM
, RFD
, QC
(born. 10 May 1947) was the Leader of the Opposition
in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
from 4 April 1995 to 8 December 1998.
, Saint Patrick's, Bathurst and Waverley College
from 1960 to 1964. From 1965 to 1972 Collins was a student at the University of Sydney
, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts
, a Bachelor of Laws
and a Bachelor in Journalism, and residing at St John's College
. After university, Collins went on to be a journalist and researcher for Four Corners and Monday Conference on ABC TV and was a media consultant for several major companies.
During his university years from 1964 - 1960, Collins joined the Army Reserve gaining the rank of Lieutenant. In 1969, Collins qualified as a parachutist in the 1st Commando Company. In 1988 after being promoted to Commissioned Lieutenant, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander and then to Commander in 1994 and Honorary Colonel a year later.
Currently, Collins is the Director for Navy Reserve Support (NSW) and he was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2009.
in the Legislative Assembly in 1981 as a Liberal
, serving in opposition until the election of Nick Greiner
as Premier in 1988. He held Willoughby until his retirement, except between 1988 and 1991, when it was called Middle Harbour
. Collins served as Health Minister and Treasurer
amongst other portfolios throughout the Liberal Government until its defeat by the Australian Labor Party
led by Bob Carr
in 1995. Collins was immediately elected opposition leader on 4 April 1995, but he was deposed by Kerry Chikarovski
on 8 December 1998 without having faced an election. Collins remained in Parliament until the 2003 state election, which he did not contest.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, RFD
Reserve Force Decoration
The Reserve Force Decoration is an Australian Military award given for long service by officers of the Reserve Forces. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Defence Force Service Medal and the Reserve Force Medal The Reserve Force...
, QC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(born. 10 May 1947) was the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)
The role of the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in New South Wales is a title held by the leader of the largest minority party in the state lower house, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly...
in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
from 4 April 1995 to 8 December 1998.
Early years and background
Peter Collins was born the eldest son of Ronald and Mavis Collins. He was educated at Marist College KogarahMarist College Kogarah
Marist College Kogarah is a systemic Catholic College for boys from Years 7 to 12, located in Bexley, New South Wales, Australia.The College was founded in 1909, and has a tradition based on the teachings of the French educator Saint Marcellin Champagnat...
, Saint Patrick's, Bathurst and Waverley College
Waverley College
Waverley College is a Roman Catholic, secondary, day school for boys, located at Waverley, in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
from 1960 to 1964. From 1965 to 1972 Collins was a student at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
and a Bachelor in Journalism, and residing at St John's College
St John's College, University of Sydney
]St John's College, or the College of St John the Evangelist, is a residential College within the University of Sydney.Established in 1857, the College of St John the Evangelist is the oldest Roman Catholic university college and second-oldest university college in Australia, and is one of the...
. After university, Collins went on to be a journalist and researcher for Four Corners and Monday Conference on ABC TV and was a media consultant for several major companies.
During his university years from 1964 - 1960, Collins joined the Army Reserve gaining the rank of Lieutenant. In 1969, Collins qualified as a parachutist in the 1st Commando Company. In 1988 after being promoted to Commissioned Lieutenant, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander and then to Commander in 1994 and Honorary Colonel a year later.
Currently, Collins is the Director for Navy Reserve Support (NSW) and he was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2009.
Political career
Collins was elected to the seat of WilloughbyElectoral district of Willoughby
Willoughby is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Gladys Berejiklian of the Liberal Party of Australia.-History:...
in the Legislative Assembly in 1981 as a Liberal
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...
, serving in opposition until the election of Nick Greiner
Nick Greiner
Nicholas "Nick" Frank Hugo Greiner AC, is an Australian businessman and former politician. He was the 37th Premier New South Wales from 1988 to 1992. He was Leader of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1983 to 1992 and Leader of the Opposition from 1983 to 1988. He is married...
as Premier in 1988. He held Willoughby until his retirement, except between 1988 and 1991, when it was called Middle Harbour
Electoral district of Middle Harbour
Middle Harbour was an electoral district for the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, named after Middle Harbour, Sydney. It was first created in 1904, partly replacing Warringah and Willoughby. In 1920, with the introduction of proportional representation, it was...
. Collins served as Health Minister and Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
amongst other portfolios throughout the Liberal Government until its defeat by 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...
led by Bob Carr
Bob Carr
Robert John "Bob" Carr , Australian statesman, was Premier of New South Wales from 4 April 1995 to 3 August 2005. He holds the record for the longest continuous service as premier of NSW...
in 1995. Collins was immediately elected opposition leader on 4 April 1995, but he was deposed by Kerry Chikarovski
Kerry Chikarovski
Kerry Anne Chikarovski was leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. She served as Leader of the Opposition between 1998 and 2002....
on 8 December 1998 without having faced an election. Collins remained in Parliament until the 2003 state election, which he did not contest.