The Honourable
Guy Barnett
MP
Attorney-General of Tasmania
Assumed office
2 October 2023
PremierJeremy Rockliff
Preceded byElise Archer
Minister for Building and Construction
In office
18 July 2016 – 19 May 2021
Preceded byAdam Brooks
Succeeded byMichael Ferguson
Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly
for Lyons
Assumed office
15 March 2014
Senator for Tasmania
In office
26 February 2002 – 30 June 2011
Preceded byBrian Gibson
Personal details
Born (1962-04-05) 5 April 1962 (age 61)
Launceston, Tasmania
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLiberal Party
SpouseKate
Children3
ResidenceLaunceston, Tasmania
Alma materLaunceston Church Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School
University of Tasmania
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer
Websitewww.guybarnett.com.au

Guy Barnett (born 4 April 1962) is the Attorney-General for Tasmania and a Liberal Party member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly representing the Division of Lyons. Guy Barnett is currently the Minister for Justice and Health under Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Guy Barnett served previously as the Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Minister for Resources, Minister for Trade, Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction in the Second Gutwein Ministry. He was previously a member of the Australian Senate.

He was born in Launceston, Tasmania, and attended the Launceston Church Grammar School and Geelong Grammar School. He gained a Bachelor of Laws and later a Master of Laws (Environmental Law) from the University of Tasmania. While at university, he served as president of the University of Tasmania Liberal Club.[1]

After graduation, Barnett worked as a lawyer, political advisor and consultant. He was appointed to the Senate in 2002 in replacement of Brian Gibson (resigned), elected for a full term in 2004, and served until his defeat at the 2010 federal election.[2]

In the 2014 Tasmanian state election Barnett was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly representing the Division of Lyons. He was also appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.[3]

On 18 July 2016, after the resignation of Adam Brooks, he was appointed Minister for Resources and Minister for Building and Construction.[4][5]

On 28 September 2023, Elise Archer resigned from her cabinet positions, one of which being the Attorney-General, and the Liberal Party in the wake of bullying allegations made against her. On 2 October 2023, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced that Guy Barnett would be appointed as the Attorney-General for Tasmania and the new Minister For Justice, with Barnett keeping his position as Minister for Health.

Policy positions

Barnett was a strong advocate for the War in Iraq, justifying the war in a speech to the senate on 20 March 2003.[6]

He opposed same-sex marriage in the 2017 postal plebiscite.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ "History - University of Tasmania Liberal Students". University of Tasmania Liberal Club. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Former Senator Guy Barnett". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Will Hodgman announces cabinet line-up for new Tasmanian government". ABC News. 30 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Ministerial Changes". www.premier.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Guy Barnett". Members of the Parliament of Tasmania. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  6. ^ Guy Barnett (20 March 2003). "Motion concerning Iraq". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Commonwealth of Australia: Senate. p. 9828.
  7. ^ Humphries, Alexandra (14 September 2017). "Barnett's school claims in dispute". News.com.au. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  8. ^ Bhole, Aneeta (14 September 2017). "'Gay sex' will be taught in school if SSM vote passes, minister warns". ABC News. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
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