The Honourable
Peter McGauran
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Gippsland
In office
5 March 1983 – 9 April 2008
Preceded byPeter Nixon
Succeeded byDarren Chester
Personal details
Born (1955-11-16) 16 November 1955 (age 68)
Yallourn, Victoria
NationalityAustralian
Political partyNational Party of Australia
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
OccupationBarrister

Peter John McGauran (born 16 November 1955[citation needed]) is an Australian former politician who served as a National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives. He represented the Division of Gippsland in Victoria from 5 March 1983 to 9 April 2008. He is the brother of former Senator Julian McGauran. He was born in Yallourn, Victoria, and was educated at Xavier College, Kew and the University of Melbourne. He was a barrister and solicitor before entering politics.

McGauran was an active member of the Young Nationals and was accorded the accolade of 'Mr YNP Pin-Up Boy' at the 1983 NSW Young Nationals State Ball held in Moree.[1]

McGauran was appointed Minister for Science and Technology in the Howard government in 1996, however, on 26 September 1997, he was forced to resign his position due to ministerial impropriety in relation to the "Travel Rorts" affair. He returned to the ministry in 1998, as Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation 1998–2001, Minister for Science 2001–04, and Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs 2004–05. In July 2005 he was promoted to Cabinet and became Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, a position he held until 3 December 2007, the Howard Government having been defeated by the Australian Labor Party under Kevin Rudd at the 24 November election.

After the resignation of Nationals leader Mark Vaile, McGauran was expected to seek the leadership; however he dropped out of the race, stating that it was time for younger members to contribute to the party, and that he looked forward to using his experience to help them.[2]

On 4 April 2008, McGauran announced he would shortly be resigning from parliament, citing plans to pursue interests in the thoroughbred racing industry.[3] His resignation was effective on 9 April. He was succeeded by Darren Chester in the resulting June 2008 by-election.

After announcing his resignation, he revealed events that occurred in 1996, where he was physically assaulted by Alphonse Gangitano, an underworld figure who was later murdered.[4] In January 2018, McGauran was appointed by Trade Minister Steven Ciobo as the Consul-General of Australia in Houston, Texas.[5]

References

  1. ^ Reines, Rosalind (29 October 1983). "Eighteen years old, and not a moleskin nor an elastic-sided boot in sight". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Nationals decide it is a matter of Truss". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 December 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  3. ^ "McGauran resigns, 'makes way for new blood'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 April 2008.
  4. ^ Harvey, Michael (5 April 2008). "MP Peter McGauran says he was bashed by underworld figure". Herald Sun.
  5. ^ Ciobo, Steven (26 January 2018). "New Consuls-General appointed to key Austrade posts" (Press release). Australian Government.

External links

Parliament of Australia Preceded byPeter Nixon Member for Gippsland 1983–2008 Succeeded byDarren Chester Political offices Preceded byPeter Cook Minister for Science & Technology 1996–1997 Succeeded byNick Minchin Preceded byRichard Alston Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation 1998–2001 Succeeded byRod Kempas Minister for the Arts and Sport Preceded byNick Minchin Minister for Science 2001–2004 Succeeded byBrendan Nelson Preceded byGary Hardgrave Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs 2004–2005 Succeeded byJohn Cobb Preceded byWarren Truss Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2005–2007 Succeeded byTony Burke Diplomatic posts Preceded byAlastair Walton Consul-General of Australia in Houston 2018–2020 Succeeded byBenson Saulo
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