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{{short description|Australian former politician|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox MP
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = [[The Reverend]]
|honorific-prefix = [[The Reverend]]
|name = Peter Abetz
|name = Peter Abetz
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|citizenship =
|citizenship =
|nationality =
|nationality =
|party = [[Liberal Party of Australia]]
|party = [[Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division)|Liberal Party]]
|spouse =
|spouse =
|relations = [[Eric Abetz]]<br>[[Otto Abetz]]
|relations = [[Eric Abetz]]<br />[[Otto Abetz]]
|children =
|children =
|residence =
|residence =
|alma_mater =
|alma_mater =
|occupation = Minister of religion
|occupation = Minister of religion
|religion = [[Christian Reformed Churches of Australia]]
|website = http://www.peterabetz.com
|website = http://www.peterabetz.com
}}
}}


'''Peter Abetz''' (born 17 December 1952) was an Australian politician who was a [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] member of the [[Western Australian Legislative Assembly]] from 2008 to 2017, representing [[Electoral district of Southern River|Southern River]].
'''Peter Abetz''' (born 17 December 1952) is an Australian former politician who was a [[Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division)|Liberal]] member of the [[Western Australian Legislative Assembly]] from 2008 to 2017, representing [[Electoral district of Southern River|Southern River]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Abetz is one of six children. His parents migrated to Tasmania from Germany in 1961.<ref>Parliament of Western Australia (2008) [http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard/hansard.nsf/0/2ad6f22272eda2c3c8257584001f5a39/$FILE/A38%20S1%2020081111%20p76b-118a.pdf Hansard Extract, Tuesday, 11 November 2008]</ref> His father, a radio technician, decided to emigrate after reading in a newspaper that a trade mission led by the minister responsible for the Tasmanian [[Hydro Tasmania|Hydro-Electric Commission]] was visiting [[Stuttgart]] in search of skilled workers for employment in "The Hydro's" power projects, on which his father subsequently worked.<ref>Wilson, Peter (2002). The Australian Political Almanack.</ref> Abetz's younger brother, [[Eric Abetz]] has represented the state of [[Tasmania]] in the [[Australian Senate]] since 1994, serving as a minister in the [[Howard Government|Howard]] and [[Abbott Government|Abbott]] governments. Abetz is the great-nephew of convicted Nazi war criminal, SS-Brigadeführer [[Otto Abetz]], [[Nazi German]] ambassador to [[Vichy France]] from 1940 to 1944. He is also related on his mother's side to German Field Marshal [[Erwin Rommel]].
Abetz is one of six children. His parents migrated to Tasmania from Germany in 1961.<ref>Parliament of Western Australia (2008) [http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard/hansard.nsf/0/2ad6f22272eda2c3c8257584001f5a39/$FILE/A38%20S1%2020081111%20p76b-118a.pdf Hansard Extract, Tuesday, 11 November 2008]</ref> 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 Tasmania|Hydro-Electric Commission]] was visiting [[Stuttgart]] in search of skilled workers for employment in "The Hydro's" power projects, on which his father subsequently worked.<ref>Wilson, Peter (2002). The Australian Political Almanack.</ref> Abetz's younger brother, [[Eric Abetz]] has represented the state of [[Tasmania]] in the [[Australian Senate]] since 1994, serving as a minister in the [[Howard Government|Howard]] and [[Abbott Government|Abbott]] governments. Abetz is the great-nephew of convicted Nazi war criminal, [[SS-Brigadeführer]] [[Otto Abetz]], [[Nazi German]] ambassador to [[Vichy France]] from 1940 to 1944. He is also related on his mother's side to German field marshal [[Erwin Rommel]].


Abetz attended Moonah and Blackmans Bay State Schools, completed his high schooling at [[Taroona High School]] and matriculated in one year at [[Hobart Matriculation College]] in 1969. He holds a Bachelor of Divinity from the Reformed Theological College in [[Geelong]]. He is married to Jenny (née Hoogenhout) and has five adult children.
Abetz attended Moonah and Blackmans Bay State Schools, completed his high schooling at [[Taroona High School]] and matriculated in one year at [[Hobart Matriculation College]] in 1969. He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) degree from the [[University of Tasmania]] and a Bachelor of Divinity from the [[Reformed Theological College]] in [[Geelong]]. He is married to Jenny (née Hoogenhout) and has five adult children.


In 1974, Peter Abetz worked as a farm advisory officer in the Tasmanian Department of Agriculture based in Huonville, before running a small statewide rural supplies business. After completing a [[Bachelor of Divinity]],<ref name="parliamentprofile">{{cite web | url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament%5CMemblist.nsf/WAllMembersFlat/Abetz,+Peter?opendocument | title=Current Members - Mr Peter Abetz MLA | publisher=Parliament of Western Australia | accessdate=4 May 2012}}</ref> he was ordained as a pastor in the [[Christian Reformed Churches of Australia]] and served in that capacity for 25 years before entering Parliament. He served congregations in [[Dandenong, Victoria]], [[Willetton, Western Australia]] and [[North Beach, Western Australia]]. On being elected to parliament he took up residence in the electorate of Southern River.
In 1974, Peter Abetz worked as a farm advisory officer in the Tasmanian Department of Agriculture based in Huonville, before running a small statewide rural supplies business. After completing a [[Bachelor of Divinity]],<ref name="parliamentprofile">{{cite web | url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament%5CMemblist.nsf/WAllMembersFlat/Abetz,+Peter?opendocument | title=Current Members - Mr Peter Abetz MLA | publisher=Parliament of Western Australia | accessdate=4 May 2012}}</ref> he was ordained as a pastor in the [[Christian Reformed Churches of Australia]] and served in that capacity for 25 years before entering Parliament. He served congregations in [[Dandenong, Victoria]], [[Willetton, Western Australia]] and [[North Beach, Western Australia]]. On being elected to parliament he took up residence in the electorate of Southern River.


==Political career==
==State political career==
Abetz ran as a candidate for the [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]-held [[Western Australian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] seat of [[Electoral district of Southern River|Southern River]] in the [[Western Australian state election, 2008|2008 Western Australian state election]]. He defeated the sitting member, [[Paul Andrews (Australian politician)|Paul Andrews]].
Abetz ran as a candidate for the [[Australian Labor Party (Western Australian Branch)|Labor]]-held [[Western Australian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] seat of [[Electoral district of Southern River|Southern River]] in the [[2008 Western Australian state election]]. He defeated the sitting member, [[Paul Andrews (Australian politician)|Paul Andrews]].


Abetz served as a member of the Education & Health Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly in his first term. Since 2013, he has been serving as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Delegation Legislation.
Abetz served as a member of the Education & Health Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly in his first term. From 2013, he served as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Delegation Legislation.
In November 2009 Abetz supported legislation to give police the power to search individuals for illicit weapons or drugs, without suspicion or belief that a crime had been committed. Abetz referenced [[Adolf Hitler]]'s rise to power as an example of people's preference for security, later saying "When it comes to the crunch, people prefer to be safe than to have freedom,".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/11/2740160.htm?site=local |title=Hitler cited over stop and search laws – ABC Local – Australian Broadcasting Corporation |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=11 November 2009 |access-date=2010-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113051628/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/11/2740160.htm?site=local |archive-date=13 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://westernpatriot.com.au/2009/11/peter-abetz-links-to-nazi-war-criminal-2942]{{dead link|date=April 2013}}</ref> Premier of Western Australia [[Colin Barnett]] said that Abetz was making a valid point.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-12/wa-mp-under-fire-for-hitler-reference/1140014 |title=ABC News |date=12 November 2009 |publisher=www.abc.net.au |access-date=2013-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415054505/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-12/wa-mp-under-fire-for-hitler-reference/1140014 |archive-date=15 April 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>


In 2010 he introduced a [[private member's bill]] for the purpose of providing additional protection to franchisees. The Bill proceeded to the second reading stage, but was defeated in November 2011 on the casting vote of the [[speaker (politics)|Speaker]]. As a Christian, Abetz has been called one of "God's squad" in the WA Parliament for his eagerness to mention his faith in his public life.<ref>Dr. Martin Drum, [http://www.nobleworld.biz/images/Drum.pdf Is faith a "no go area" in modern politics? A case study of newly elected MPs in Western Australia’s State Parliament], Nebula 7.4.</ref>
In 2010 he introduced a [[private member's bill]] for the purpose of providing additional protection to franchisees. The Bill proceeded to the second reading stage, but was defeated in November 2011 on the casting vote of the [[speaker (politics)|Speaker]]. As a Christian, Abetz has been called one of "God's squad" in the WA Parliament for his eagerness to mention his faith in his public life.<ref>Dr. Martin Drum, [http://www.nobleworld.biz/images/Drum.pdf Is faith a "no go area" in modern politics? A case study of newly elected MPs in Western Australia’s State Parliament], Nebula 7.4.</ref>


At the [[Western Australian state election, 2013|2013 state election]] Abetz achieved a 15% swing and during the peak of his term in office, Abetz held his seat with 67% of the [[two-party-preferred vote]]. Nonetheless, in the 2017 general election he suffered a swing of 20.8%, the largest against any sitting member.<ref>http://www.elections.wa.gov.au/results/sg2013/la/SRV</ref>
At the [[2013 Western Australian state election|2013 state election]] he achieved a 15% swing, holding his seat with 67% of the [[two-party-preferred vote]]. Following redistributed boundaries, he suffered a defeat the [[2017 Western Australian state election|2017 state election]] he suffered a swing of 20.8%, the largest against any sitting member.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.wa.gov.au/results/sg2013/la/SRV |title=Southern River District Results &#124; Western Australian Electoral Commission |accessdate=2013-07-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628045924/http://www.elections.wa.gov.au/results/sg2013/la/SRV |archivedate=28 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


Abetz opposed [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.outinperth.com/peter-abetz-state-politics/| title = Peter Abetz concedes he's lost his seat of Southern River {{!}} OUTInPerth {{!}} LGBTQIA+ News and Culture}}</ref>
==Public Interest & Opinion==
Abetz has a strong interest in his faith of Christianity. As a former pastor, he has referred to the safe schools campaign as a "militant gay lesbian lobby" and is highly concerned for Australian children due to Islamist and immigrant children attending mainstream public schools in the Western Australian electorate of Southern River.
He played on the delicate emotions of parents, guardians, and carers of children by spreading misleading and fear-inducing information in opposition to the Safe Schools Program.
Abetz has attempted to use his position of power to condemn and further marginalise people belonging to the LGBTQI community. In particular interest to the public was the speech directed at well respected Australian Aboriginal elder, Patrick Dobson. The speech addressed Australian Aboriginal culture and was defined by many politicians as "poor-taste". This was evident with a mass walk out during his speech in parliament. Abetz is not educated, nor trained in Australian Aboriginal culture and has a following of predominately middle class, Christian, Caucasian, far right wing voters and supporters that claim he is a hard working and nice man; yet cannot identify items he has implemented to improve the community for everyone.


==After state politics==
Abetz had a very keen interest in small business issues, such as tax benefits for owners and religious institutions. He has sympathy and great interest for his great uncle and convicted Nazi war criminal, Otto Abetz.
Abetz was elected as a Councillor for the [[City of Gosnells]] in 2017, and became Deputy Mayor of the City in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peter Abetz|url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/Person/Peter-Abetz|access-date=2021-03-15|website=Business News|language=en}}</ref>


In 2018, Abetz was appointed as the WA State Director for the [[Australian Christian Lobby]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.outinperth.com/australian-christian-lobbys-peter-abetz-voices-opposition-surrogacy/ |title=Australian Christian Lobby's Peter Abetz voices opposition to surrogacy |date = 16 January 2018 }}</ref> Abetz raised concerns regarding [[surrogacy]] and specifically the deprivation for children of a mother or father.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.acl.org.au/deliberately_depriving_children_their_mum_and_dad_the_next_step_in_rainbow_political_agenda |title=The Next Step In Rainbow Political Agenda |date =15 January 2018 }}</ref>
During his term in office, Abetz was synonymous with "new roads". The current works located at Nicholson and Bannister roads in Canninng Vale display the lack of professionalism and planning; with many commuters left with stand still traffic without any traffic controllers or similar methods of traffic management. In addition to this, reducing speed limits had been another one of his biggest interests when he was the MP for Southern River.


==See also==
Abetz claimed to have an interest in education, in spite of over-crowded primary schools (such as Bletchley Park Primary) and no new schools built for the six years prior to conceding defeat of the seat of Southern River. Abetz never attended, nor graduated from university himself. He also claimed to be an enthusiastic member of the Volkswagen Car Club of Western Australia and was incredibly grateful for the tax payer funded oppurtunity during his term in office. The Volkswagen combi van was symbolic in his unsuccessful 2017 election campaign.


* [[Australian Christian Lobby]]
Many residents of the electorate of Southern River celebrated the end of his narcisstic and divisive campaign with social media posts sharing the elation and the triumph of real universal love for all of humanity.


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1952 births]]
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[[Category:Australian anti-abortion activists]]
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[[Category:German emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly]]
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[[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]
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[[Category:Politicians from Stuttgart]]
[[Category:Calvinist and Reformed ministers]]
[[Category:Deputy mayors of places in Australia]]
[[Category:Western Australian local councillors]]

Latest revision as of 19:04, 25 May 2024

The Reverend
Peter Abetz
Member of the Western Australian Parliament
for Southern River
In office
6 September 2008 – 11 March 2017
Preceded byPaul Andrews
Succeeded byTerry Healy
Personal details
Born (1952-12-17) 17 December 1952 (age 72)
Stuttgart, Germany
Political partyLiberal Party
RelationsEric Abetz
Otto Abetz
OccupationMinister of religion
Websitehttp://www.peterabetz.com

Peter Abetz (born 17 December 1952) is an Australian former politician who was a Liberal member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 2008 to 2017, representing Southern River.

Biography

[edit]

Abetz is one of six children. His parents migrated to Tasmania from Germany in 1961.[1] 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 "The Hydro's" power projects, on which his father subsequently worked.[2] Abetz's younger brother, Eric Abetz has represented the state of Tasmania in the Australian Senate since 1994, serving as a minister in the Howard and Abbott governments. Abetz is the great-nephew of convicted Nazi war criminal, SS-Brigadeführer Otto Abetz, Nazi German ambassador to Vichy France from 1940 to 1944. He is also related on his mother's side to German field marshal Erwin Rommel.

Abetz attended Moonah and Blackmans Bay State Schools, completed his high schooling at Taroona High School and matriculated in one year at Hobart Matriculation College in 1969. He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) degree from the University of Tasmania and a Bachelor of Divinity from the Reformed Theological College in Geelong. He is married to Jenny (née Hoogenhout) and has five adult children.

In 1974, Peter Abetz worked as a farm advisory officer in the Tasmanian Department of Agriculture based in Huonville, before running a small statewide rural supplies business. After completing a Bachelor of Divinity,[3] he was ordained as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and served in that capacity for 25 years before entering Parliament. He served congregations in Dandenong, Victoria, Willetton, Western Australia and North Beach, Western Australia. On being elected to parliament he took up residence in the electorate of Southern River.

State political career

[edit]

Abetz ran as a candidate for the Labor-held Legislative Assembly seat of Southern River in the 2008 Western Australian state election. He defeated the sitting member, Paul Andrews.

Abetz served as a member of the Education & Health Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly in his first term. From 2013, he served as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Delegation Legislation.

In November 2009 Abetz supported legislation to give police the power to search individuals for illicit weapons or drugs, without suspicion or belief that a crime had been committed. Abetz referenced Adolf Hitler's rise to power as an example of people's preference for security, later saying "When it comes to the crunch, people prefer to be safe than to have freedom,".[4][5] Premier of Western Australia Colin Barnett said that Abetz was making a valid point.[6]

In 2010 he introduced a private member's bill for the purpose of providing additional protection to franchisees. The Bill proceeded to the second reading stage, but was defeated in November 2011 on the casting vote of the Speaker. As a Christian, Abetz has been called one of "God's squad" in the WA Parliament for his eagerness to mention his faith in his public life.[7]

At the 2013 state election he achieved a 15% swing, holding his seat with 67% of the two-party-preferred vote. Following redistributed boundaries, he suffered a defeat the 2017 state election he suffered a swing of 20.8%, the largest against any sitting member.[8]

Abetz opposed same-sex marriage.[9]

After state politics

[edit]

Abetz was elected as a Councillor for the City of Gosnells in 2017, and became Deputy Mayor of the City in 2019.[10]

In 2018, Abetz was appointed as the WA State Director for the Australian Christian Lobby.[11] Abetz raised concerns regarding surrogacy and specifically the deprivation for children of a mother or father.[12]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Parliament of Western Australia (2008) Hansard Extract, Tuesday, 11 November 2008
  2. ^ Wilson, Peter (2002). The Australian Political Almanack.
  3. ^ "Current Members - Mr Peter Abetz MLA". Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  4. ^ "Hitler cited over stop and search laws – ABC Local – Australian Broadcasting Corporation". Abc.net.au. 11 November 2009. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  5. ^ [1][dead link‍]
  6. ^ "ABC News". www.abc.net.au. 12 November 2009. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  7. ^ Dr. Martin Drum, Is faith a "no go area" in modern politics? A case study of newly elected MPs in Western Australia’s State Parliament, Nebula 7.4.
  8. ^ "Southern River District Results | Western Australian Electoral Commission". Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  9. ^ "Peter Abetz concedes he's lost his seat of Southern River | OUTInPerth | LGBTQIA+ News and Culture".
  10. ^ "Peter Abetz". Business News. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Australian Christian Lobby's Peter Abetz voices opposition to surrogacy". 16 January 2018.
  12. ^ "The Next Step In Rainbow Political Agenda". 15 January 2018.
Western Australian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Southern River
2008–2017 		Succeeded by
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