Jay Weatherill
Jay Weatherill | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 45th Premier of South Australia | |
| Assumed office 21 October 2011 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Kevin Scarce |
| Deputy | John Rau |
| Preceded by | Mike Rann |
| Member of the South Australian Parliament for Cheltenham | |
| Assumed office 9 February 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Murray De Laine |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jay Wilson Weatherill Adelaide, South Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse | Melissa |
| Relations | George Weatherill (father) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Jay Wilson Weatherill (born 1964) is an Australian politician and the current Premier of South Australia. He has represented the electoral district of Cheltenham in the South Australian House of Assembly as a member of the Australian Labor Party since the 2002 election.
Early life
Born in the western suburbs of Adelaide, he is the son of former South Australian politician George Weatherill.[1] His parents met on a ship bound for Australia in 1960. His mother Joy was returning home after a Vespa holiday through Europe while his father George was leaving home in northern England for a new life in Australia. George worked three jobs to save for a family home.[2]
Weatherill attended Henley High School and matriculated in 1981 as dux of the school. He later studied at the University of Adelaide, graduating with degrees in law and economics. During his university days he had a relationship with current federal minister Penny Wong.[3][4]
With fellow Adelaide lawyer Stephen Lieschke, he established industrial law firm Lieschke Weatherill in 1995 where he practiced law until his election to Parliament.[3]
Political career
Prior to the 2002 state election he won Labor preselection for the electorate of Cheltenham, defeating incumbent Labor MP Murray De Laine.[5] Weatherill, from the Labor Left faction,[6] has held positions in the Labor government ministry since his election in 2002. Since 2001, he has been a regular patron at the Alberton Hotel in his north-western suburbs electorate.[7]
Premier
Following the 2010 state election Weatherill, environment minister under Mike Rann, unsuccessfully challenged Kevin Foley for the deputy Premiership.[8] Weatherill said the election day backlash against Labor made it evident that a fresh approach was needed. Weatherill lost along factional lines.[9]
In late July 2011, senior figures within Labor had indicated to Mike Rann that the left and right factions had formally decided to replace Rann with Weatherill as party leader. A day later, on 31 July 2011, Rann confirmed he would stand down and undergo a party leadership transition to Weatherill, with the handover occurring in October 2011.[10][11][12] Weatherill was sworn in as the 45th Premier of South Australia on 21 October 2011.[13]
The Weatherill Labor government enjoyed a resurgence in the polls, with the vote back to 2010 election levels, and the Premier overtaking the Opposition leader in approval ratings. Labor retained both seats at the 2012 Port Adelaide and Ramsay by-elections.
A conscience vote for a Greens-initiated gay marriage bill was announced by Weatherill in August 2012, following the announcement of Tasmania's planned changes.[14]
See also
References
- ^ "Cheltenham". The Poll Bludger. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Anderson, Lainie (6 August 2011). "Jay Weatherill has never shirked a challenge". The Advertiser. Australia. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
- ^ a b "Profile: Hon Jay Weatherill". Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Crabb, Annabel (8 December 2007). "Freakish powers of a formidable operator". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Colvin, Mark; Parker, Lachlan (15 August 2001). "Costly Labor factions in South Australia" (Transcript). PM. Australia: ABC News.
- ^ "Hartley". The Poll Bludger. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Puddy, Rebecca (2 August 2011). "Lawyer Jay Weatherill lauded as good listener". The Australian. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
- ^ Kelton, Greg (22 March 2010). "Mike Rann backs Kevin Foley as Jay Weatherill challenges for job of Deputy Premier of South Australia". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ^ "Foley survives challenge to deputy's spot". ABC News. Australia. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ^ Martin, Sarah (5 August 2011). "Rann says he will hand over to Jay Weatherill". The Advertiser. Australia. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ^ Hunt, Nigel (30 July 2011). "Premier Mike Rann told to stand down". Adelaide Now. Australia. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ "Rann to be ousted in leadership coup". ABC News. Australia. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ "New faces as Weatherill takes reins in SA". ABC News. Australia. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ^ Weatherill staunches Labor opposition to back gay marriage Bill: The Advertiser 11 August 2012
External links
- Parliament Profile
- Inaugural speech to South Australian Parliament – Parliament of South Australia, Hansard, pp. 233–6. 16 May 2002.
