HON STEVE BRACKS
BIOGRAPHY
Educational Background
Steve Bracks was one of Victoria's longest serving
Premiers. Born in Ballarat in 1954, he was
educated at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat and Ballarat University where he
obtained both a Diploma of Business Studies (Accounting) and Graduate
Diploma of Education (Economics).
Employment History
After starting as a Secondary Commerce Teacher, Steve
Bracks went on to manage a National Community Education Centre, the
Victorian Printing Industry Training Board, and as State wide Manager, the
Victorian Government’s Employment Policy and Program Division.
Mr Bracks also acted as a Senior Adviser to two former
Victorian Premiers and the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and
Communications.
Parliament and Premier
Steve Bracks subsequently entered Parliament as the
Member for Williamstown in 1994. After serving as a Shadow Minister in the
Employment, Industrial Relations and Treasury portfolios, he became Leader
of the State Opposition early in 1999. Mr Bracks fought the Election later
that year with a completely new set of policies he oversaw and personally
drafted in Opposition.
He went on to win the Election and became Victoria’s 44th
Premier.
Steve Bracks became one of Victoria’s most successful
Premiers winning three consecutive elections including achieving record
majorities in the 2002 and 2006 elections.
Whilst Premier,
Mr Bracks rebuilt Victoria’s infrastructure and services while maintaining
strong budgets and managing a growing economy.
He invested
heavily in education and skills with Victoria’s retention rate to Year 12
education now one of the highest in Australia.
He also lead a
reform proposal through a National Reform Agenda designed to increase
workplace participation, improve skills, reduce business regulation and
boost productivity.
These proposals
won backing from all Australian Governments.
Mr Bracks is also
a leading advocate for both multiculturalism and Aboriginal reconciliation.
Mr Bracks at 52
retired as Premier of Victoria on 27 July 2007, after almost eight years as
Premier, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Veterans’
Affairs.
Subsequent to his retirement, Mr Bracks now holds three
major honorary positions, as an Adviser to the Prime Minister of
Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao, as an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the
University of Melbourne and as Chair of the Deakin Foundation, Deakin
University.
He is Chairman of Cbus and a
Director of the Jardine Lloyd Thomson Australia and Bionic Ear Institute
Boards and a Senior Adviser to National Australia Bank and KPMG.
Mr Bracks is also the Independent Chair for the
Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA).
Additionally
during 2008 Mr Bracks was commissioned by the Federal Government to head a
major review of the Australian Automotive Industry.
He is now
Honorary Chair of the Organising Committee for the World Road Cycling
Championships to be held in Victoria in 2010.
He continues to live in Williamstown with his wife Terry and their children
Nick, Amy and Will.
To
contact Steve use the following email address:
info@stevebracks.com.au
