Eric Abetz
Eric Abetz (born 25 January 1958) is an Australian politician. He was a Senator for Tasmania from 1994 to 2022, representing the Liberal Party, and since March 2024 has been a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for the Franklin electorate.
The Honourable Eric Abetz MP | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Government in the Senate | |
| In office 18 September 2013 – 21 September 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | Tony Abbott Malcolm Turnbull |
| Deputy | George Brandis |
| Preceded by | Penny Wong |
| Succeeded by | George Brandis |
| Minister for Employment | |
| In office 18 September 2013 – 21 September 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | Tony Abbott Malcolm Turnbull |
| Preceded by | Bill Shorten |
| Succeeded by | Michaelia Cash |
| Leader of the Opposition in the Senate | |
| In office 3 May 2010 – 18 September 2013 | |
| Deputy | George Brandis |
| Leader | Tony Abbott |
| Preceded by | Nick Minchin |
| Succeeded by | Penny Wong |
| Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation | |
| In office 27 January 2006 – 3 December 2007 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Ian Macdonald |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Special Minister of State | |
| In office 30 January 2001 – 27 January 2006 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Chris Ellison |
| Succeeded by | Gary Nairn |
| Senator for Tasmania | |
| In office 22 February 1994 – 30 June 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Archer |
| Succeeded by | Tammy Tyrrell |
| Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Franklin | |
| Assumed office 23 March 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 January 1958 Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany |
| Citizenship | Australian (1974–present) West German (1958–1974) |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Alma mater | University of Tasmania |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Website | abetz |
He was the Minister for Employment and the Leader of the Government in the Senate in the Abbott government from 2013 to 2015. He previously also served as Special Minister of State in the Howard government from 2001 to 2006 and as Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation from 2006 to 2007.
Born in Germany, Abetz emigrated to Australia as a small child, when his father came to work for Tasmania's Hydro Electric Commission. He was educated at the University of Tasmania and was a barrister and solicitor before entering politics. He is a former national president of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation and was state president of the Tasmanian Liberals from 1990 to 1994.