Richard Wynne
Encyclopedia
Hon. Richard William Wynne MLA (born 6 October 1955) is an Australian politician and former Minister for Housing
, Minister for Local Government
and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
in the State Cabinet of the Government of Victoria
, and has held the Legislative Assembly seat of Richmond in the Victorian Parliament since 1999. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party
and a member of the Socialist Left faction.
Prior to being elected to Parliament, Richard has been a social worker, an electorate officer and a ministerial adviser to state and federal Labor ministers. Richard was a councillor in the City of Melbourne
1986–91, including a term as Lord Mayor of Melbourne 1990–91.
). He completed his Higher School Certificate
(HSC) in 1972.
Richard completed a Diploma in Youth Work in 1977 at Coburg State College, a Bachelor of Social Work in 1982 and a Diploma in Criminology in 1985 at the University of Melbourne
. Pursuing a career in social justice, Richard Wynne worked as a Social Worker at the Flemington Community Health Centre from 1982–88.
's unsuccessful bid for the 1996 Olympic Games (that was won by Atlanta). A keen sports fan, Lord Mayor Wynne oversaw plans to rebuild the Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
(MCG).
MLC, State Member for Melbourne Province
, (in the Cain
State Labor Government); and as Ministerial Adviser to Barry Pullen
when he was State Minister for Housing in the succeeding Kirner
Labor Government 1990–91. Richard was an adviser to the Hon. Andrew McCutcheon, MLA for St Kilda
(abolished), Victorian Minister for Planning and Housing, in the years 1991–92. The Kirner
Labor Government was defeated by the Liberal Party
led by Jeff Kennett
at the state election of 1992.
, Federal Member for Batman
, Australian Minister for Health, Housing and Community Services, 1993–96. The Keating
Federal Labor Government was defeated by the Liberal Party
led by John Howard
at the federal general election of 1996. In the years 1996–99 Richard Wynne was a consultant to local councils, preparation for his later career as Minister for Local Government
.
(Victorian Branch) in August 1999 after an extended stay out of the country, working with the newly elected Panhellenic Socialist Movement
(PASOK) government in Greece
. Richard Wynne was preselected for the now vacant seat of Richmond.
At the September 1999 Victorian State election, the statewide result was decided by three independents who supported the formation of the minority Bracks
State Labor Government. Richard Wynne won the then safe Labor seat of Richmond comfortably. Richard Wynne was elected to the sub-cabinet post of Parliamentary Secretary for Justice
after the election and served until the state election in 2002. The role assisting the reformist Attorney General Rob Hulls
gave Richard the opportunity to push for law reform in the area of Gay and Lesbian Rights (a strong constituency in his inner-city seat).
The Bracks
State Labor Government was returned in a landslide result in 2002, but the new phenomena of the Victorian Greens Party
scoring strong results in the inner city seats of Melbourne
saw Richard Wynne go to preferences in the once safe Labor
seat. Previously Labor candidates in inner city seats would either win in their own right, or be helped over the line against Liberal
candidates by (preferentially
eliminated) Greens (and other) preferences. Now in inner city seats, the Greens are polling second, and are helped along by (preferentially eliminated) Liberal preferences. The seat remains a contest between the Greens and Labor to this day; with similar results in Melbourne
, Brunswick
and Northcote
in 2002 and 2006
. Richard was promoted to the cabinet post of Cabinet Secretary
in the Bracks
State Labor Government following the 2002 election, which he held until 2006.
At the 2006 Victorian state election
, Richard achieved a better result than in 2002, after contesting the seat against the Greens
and other opponents in a hard-fought campaign.
Labor Government in Victoria in November 2006
, Richard Wynne was appointed by the Premier Steve Bracks
to the twin roles of Minister for Housing
(following in the footsteps of his mentor, Barry Pullen
) and Minister for Local Government
.
One of Richard Wynne's stated goals as Minister for Housing
is to solve the current Rent Crisis sweeping Australia
, as investors turn to booming commodities and share markets for better return over the property market. In April 2007, Richard Wynne, as Local Government Minister, was central to the development of the groundbreaking Victorian Statewide Relationship Register as part of his ongoing involvement in Gay and Lesbian law reform.
After the unexpected resignation of Premier Steve Bracks
and the subsequent appointing of new Premier John Brumby
, Richard was given a third portfolio as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, as well as maintaining his previous roles of Minister for Housing and Minister for Local Government in Premier Brumby's new cabinet.
, Fencing
and Hockey
.
Victorian Minister for Housing
In the Victorian political system, the State Minister for Housing is a State Government cabinet position responsible for Housing. The Minister for Housing is responsible for the Office of Housing ; and is one of four state ministers responsible for the Department of Human Services .The Housing...
, Minister for Local Government
Victorian Minister for Local Government
The Victorian Minister for Local government is a Cabinet position in Victoria, Australia, currently held by the Hon. Jeanette Powell MLA. The portfolio includes: responsibility for scrutinising councils for incompetence, giving grants to local governments for projects, redistributing municipipal...
and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
The Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs is a ministerial position currently held by the Hon. Jeanette Powell MLA. The portfolio's responsibilities include: giving funding to Aboriginal community groups, administering general programs targeted at Aborigines The Victorian Minister for...
in the State Cabinet of the Government of Victoria
Government of Victoria
The Government of Victoria, under the Constitution of Australia, ceded certain legislative and judicial powers to the Commonwealth, but retained complete independence in all other areas...
, and has held the Legislative Assembly seat of Richmond in the Victorian Parliament since 1999. He is 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...
and a member of the Socialist Left faction.
Prior to being elected to Parliament, Richard has been a social worker, an electorate officer and a ministerial adviser to state and federal Labor ministers. Richard was a councillor in the City of Melbourne
City of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the central city area of Melbourne. The city has an area of 36 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 93,105 people. The city's motto is "Vires acquirit eundo" which means "She gathers strength as she...
1986–91, including a term as Lord Mayor of Melbourne 1990–91.
Childhood, education and early career
Richard Wynne grew up in the once working class, inner city suburb of North Melbourne. He attended St. Joseph's College in Victoria Street, North Melbourne (now Simonds Catholic CollegeSimonds Catholic College
Simonds Catholic College is a Roman Catholic Independent school for boys located in the Melbourne suburb of West Melbourne. Simonds is within walking distance of the Queen Victoria Market. The school consists of two campuses years 7-10 is at the St Marys campus in West Melbourne with years 11-12...
). He completed his Higher School Certificate
Higher School Certificate (Victoria)
The Higher School Certificate, or HSC, was the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully completed senior high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. In 1987, there was trial of its successor, the Victorian Certificate of Education, and until 1992, it was...
(HSC) in 1972.
Richard completed a Diploma in Youth Work in 1977 at Coburg State College, a Bachelor of Social Work in 1982 and a Diploma in Criminology in 1985 at 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...
. Pursuing a career in social justice, Richard Wynne worked as a Social Worker at the Flemington Community Health Centre from 1982–88.
Melbourne City Councillor and Lord Mayor of Melbourne
Richard Wynne was elected to the Melbourne City Council representing North Melbourne wards from 1986–91; and was elected as Lord Mayor of Melbourne from 1990–91. During Richard's term as Lord Mayor, he was part of MelbourneMelbourne
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...
's unsuccessful bid for the 1996 Olympic Games (that was won by Atlanta). A keen sports fan, Lord Mayor Wynne oversaw plans to rebuild the Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
(MCG).
The Cain and Kirner State Labor Governments
He served as Electorate Officer (1988–90) to the Honourable Barry PullenBarry Pullen
Barry Thomas Pullen is a former Australian politician. He was a Minister in the Cain and Kirner Labor Victorian State Governments, and held the Legislative Council seat of Melbourne in the Victorian Parliament from 1982–1999...
MLC, State Member for Melbourne Province
Electoral district of Melbourne
The Electoral district of Melbourne is an electorate of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It is currently based around the localities of Carlton, North Carlton, Melbourne, East Melbourne, West Melbourne, North Melbourne, Parkville, Newmarket, Kensington and Flemington, and includes Melbourne...
, (in the Cain
John Cain II
John Cain , Australian Labor Party politician, was the 41st Premier of Victoria, holding office from 1982 to 1990.-Biography:...
State Labor Government); and as Ministerial Adviser to Barry Pullen
Barry Pullen
Barry Thomas Pullen is a former Australian politician. He was a Minister in the Cain and Kirner Labor Victorian State Governments, and held the Legislative Council seat of Melbourne in the Victorian Parliament from 1982–1999...
when he was State Minister for Housing in the succeeding Kirner
Joan Kirner
Joan Elizabeth Kirner AM , Australian politician, was the 42nd Premier of Victoria, the first woman to hold the position, which she held for two years prior to a landslide election defeat.-Biography:...
Labor Government 1990–91. Richard was an adviser to the Hon. Andrew McCutcheon, MLA for St Kilda
Electoral district of St Kilda
The Electoral district of St. Kilda was an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.-Members of St Kilda:-See also:*Parliaments of the Australian states and territories*List of members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly...
(abolished), Victorian Minister for Planning and Housing, in the years 1991–92. The Kirner
Joan Kirner
Joan Elizabeth Kirner AM , Australian politician, was the 42nd Premier of Victoria, the first woman to hold the position, which she held for two years prior to a landslide election defeat.-Biography:...
Labor Government was defeated by the Liberal Party
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...
led by 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...
at the state election of 1992.
Keating Federal Labor Government
Richard served as Senior Adviser to Hon. Brian Howe MHRBrian Howe
Brian Howe may refer to:*Brian Howe , Australian politician*Brian Howe , vocalist with the 80s and 90s versions of Bad Company*Brian Howe , American character actor best known for his major role in The Pursuit of Happyness...
, Federal Member for Batman
Division of Batman
The Division of Batman is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division was created in 1906 , and is named after John Batman, one of the founders of the city of Melbourne. When it was created it covered the inner suburbs of Carlton and Fitzroy, but successive boundary changes have...
, Australian Minister for Health, Housing and Community Services, 1993–96. The Keating
Paul Keating
Paul John Keating was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, serving from 1991 to 1996. Keating was elected as the federal Labor member for Blaxland in 1969 and came to prominence as the reformist treasurer of the Hawke Labor government, which came to power at the 1983 election...
Federal Labor Government was defeated by the Liberal Party
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...
led 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....
at the federal general election of 1996. In the years 1996–99 Richard Wynne was a consultant to local councils, preparation for his later career as Minister for Local Government
Victorian Minister for Local Government
The Victorian Minister for Local government is a Cabinet position in Victoria, Australia, currently held by the Hon. Jeanette Powell MLA. The portfolio includes: responsibility for scrutinising councils for incompetence, giving grants to local governments for projects, redistributing municipipal...
.
State Member for Richmond, the Bracks State Labor Government and the Brumby State Labor Government
The state member for Richmond (1988–99), Dimitri Dollis, was disendorsed by the Australian Labor PartyAustralian 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...
(Victorian Branch) in August 1999 after an extended stay out of the country, working with the newly elected Panhellenic Socialist Movement
Panhellenic Socialist Movement
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement , known mostly by its acronym PASOK , is one of the two major political parties in Greece. Founded on 3 September 1974 by Andreas Papandreou, in 1981 PASOK became Greece's first social democratic party to win a majority in parliament.The party is a socialist party...
(PASOK) government in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Richard Wynne was preselected for the now vacant seat of Richmond.
At the September 1999 Victorian State election, the statewide result was decided by three independents who supported the formation of the minority 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....
State Labor Government. Richard Wynne won the then safe Labor seat of Richmond comfortably. Richard Wynne was elected to the sub-cabinet post of Parliamentary Secretary for Justice
Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Justice
The Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Justice is a Victorian junior ministerial position. The portfolio's main responsibility is assisting the Minister for Justice in carrying out his duties....
after the election and served until the state election in 2002. The role assisting the reformist Attorney General Rob Hulls
Rob Hulls
Rob Justin Hulls has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 1996, representing the electorate of Niddrie. As well as previously serving as the Deputy Premier of Victoria, he was also the state Attorney-General and Minister for Racing.Rob Hulls was born in Melbourne and was...
gave Richard the opportunity to push for law reform in the area of Gay and Lesbian Rights (a strong constituency in his inner-city seat).
The 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....
State Labor Government was returned in a landslide result in 2002, but the new phenomena of the Victorian Greens Party
Victorian Greens
Australian Greens Victoria, also called the Victorian Greens, is a Green Party located in Victoria, a member of the federation of the Australian Greens party.- Early Years :...
scoring strong results in the inner city seats of 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...
saw Richard Wynne go to preferences in the once safe Labor
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...
seat. Previously Labor candidates in inner city seats would either win in their own right, or be helped over the line against 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...
candidates by (preferentially
Preferential voting
Preferential voting is a type of ballot structure used in several electoral systems in which voters rank candidates in order of relative preference. For example, the voter may select their first choice as '1', their second preference a '2', and so on...
eliminated) Greens (and other) preferences. Now in inner city seats, the Greens are polling second, and are helped along by (preferentially eliminated) Liberal preferences. The seat remains a contest between the Greens and Labor to this day; with similar results in Melbourne
Electoral district of Melbourne
The Electoral district of Melbourne is an electorate of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It is currently based around the localities of Carlton, North Carlton, Melbourne, East Melbourne, West Melbourne, North Melbourne, Parkville, Newmarket, Kensington and Flemington, and includes Melbourne...
, Brunswick
Electoral district of Brunswick
The Electoral district of Brunswick is an electorate of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It is located in the northern suburbs of Melbourne and is based around the suburb of Brunswick....
and Northcote
Electoral district of Northcote
The Electoral district of Northcote is an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It currently covers the suburbs of Alphington, Fairfield, Northcote, Thornbury, and part of Preston. It lies on the northern bank of the Yarra River between the Merri and Darebin creeks.The seat...
in 2002 and 2006
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...
. Richard was promoted to the cabinet post of Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet Secretary
A Cabinet Secretary is almost always a senior official who provides services and advice to a Cabinet of Ministers. In many countries, the position can have considerably wider functions and powers, including general responsibility for the entire civil service...
in the 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....
State Labor Government following the 2002 election, which he held until 2006.
At the 2006 Victorian 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...
, Richard achieved a better result than in 2002, after contesting the seat against the Greens
Victorian Greens
Australian Greens Victoria, also called the Victorian Greens, is a Green Party located in Victoria, a member of the federation of the Australian Greens party.- Early Years :...
and other opponents in a hard-fought campaign.
Minister for Housing, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Following the successful re-election of the BracksSteve 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....
Labor Government in Victoria in November 2006
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...
, Richard Wynne was appointed by the Premier 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....
to the twin roles of Minister for Housing
Victorian Minister for Housing
In the Victorian political system, the State Minister for Housing is a State Government cabinet position responsible for Housing. The Minister for Housing is responsible for the Office of Housing ; and is one of four state ministers responsible for the Department of Human Services .The Housing...
(following in the footsteps of his mentor, Barry Pullen
Barry Pullen
Barry Thomas Pullen is a former Australian politician. He was a Minister in the Cain and Kirner Labor Victorian State Governments, and held the Legislative Council seat of Melbourne in the Victorian Parliament from 1982–1999...
) and Minister for Local Government
Victorian Minister for Local Government
The Victorian Minister for Local government is a Cabinet position in Victoria, Australia, currently held by the Hon. Jeanette Powell MLA. The portfolio includes: responsibility for scrutinising councils for incompetence, giving grants to local governments for projects, redistributing municipipal...
.
One of Richard Wynne's stated goals as Minister for Housing
Victorian Minister for Housing
In the Victorian political system, the State Minister for Housing is a State Government cabinet position responsible for Housing. The Minister for Housing is responsible for the Office of Housing ; and is one of four state ministers responsible for the Department of Human Services .The Housing...
is to solve the current Rent Crisis sweeping Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, as investors turn to booming commodities and share markets for better return over the property market. In April 2007, Richard Wynne, as Local Government Minister, was central to the development of the groundbreaking Victorian Statewide Relationship Register as part of his ongoing involvement in Gay and Lesbian law reform.
After the unexpected resignation of Premier 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....
and the subsequent appointing of new 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...
, Richard was given a third portfolio as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, as well as maintaining his previous roles of Minister for Housing and Minister for Local Government in Premier Brumby's new cabinet.
Other interests
The Victorian Parliament Handbook lists Richard Wynne's interests as 'family and reading'. Richard is also a keen supporter of Australian Rules FootballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
, Fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
and Hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
.