Ted Ballieu

Ted Baillieu

Edward Norman (Ted) Baillieu (born 31 July 1953) is an Australian politician. He is currently the Opposition Leader of Victoria, and a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.

Early history

Ted Baillieu was raised in Toorak, educated at Melbourne Grammar School and The University of Melbourne and was an architect by profession before entering the Victorian Parliament.

A member of the Baillieu-Myer family dynasty, in his maiden speech he paid tribute to his family: "My grandparents' families (the Baillieus and the Myers) made their own contributions to community life in this state. They have done so in many parts of Victoria and in a range of fields including agriculture, business, the services, sport, heritage protection, the arts and public life. I am proud of their achievements and I value the benefits of family above all." He has a declared shared portfolio which includes more than 30 companies, including Coles Myer, major banks and BHP Billiton, but also contributes to charities such as the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria.

Political career

Baillieu entered Victorian Parliament as the Member for the Electorate of Hawthorn in the 1999 election; it was at this election that Steve Bracks led the Australian Labor Party to victory, assuming government. He had previously been a longtime member of the Liberal Party, and an official at both state and federal level in the party.

Since his entry into Parliament, he has been a permanent member of the Liberal Party frontbench. He has served as Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training (1999-2001), Gaming (July 2000-August 2002) and Planning (September 2001-May 2006).

Liberal Party leadership

2006
Following months of rumour that Baillieu would mount a challenge for the Liberal Party leadership, he was elected unopposed as the Opposition Leader of Victoria on 8 May 2006 by the Liberal Party room, replacing Robert Doyle who resigned his position on 4 May 2006.

After Doyle's resignation, speculation mounted that former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett would return to politics and the position of Liberal Party Leader in order to lead the party into the 2006 state election which was held on 25 November 2006. However on the morning of 5 May 2006, Baillieu in announcing his candidacy for the party leadership revealed that Kennett would withdraw from the leadership race and throw his support behind Baillieu. Later that afternoon, Baillieu's only other challenger for the position, Shadow Minister for Transport Terry Mulder also withdrew from the race.

On 16 June 2006 it was revealed that Tom Cargill, an adviser to then Premier Steve Bracks, was planning to search for financial information on Ted Baillieu and his family.

On 25 November 2006 the Liberal Party lost the state election under Ted Baillieu's leadership.

2007
In a speech at the State Council of the Victorian Liberal Party, Ted Ballieu opposed the push by John Howard for nuclear reactors in Victoria.

2008
An online campaign against Baillieu by senior Liberal Party members was uncovered and made public, with Baillieu promising to root out the disloyal elements in his party. The media suspected that forces loyal to former Federal Treasurer Peter Costello and former State Party President Michael Kroger had attempted to undermine Baillieu.

Personal life

Like his former political opponent, ex-Premier Steve Bracks, he is a supporter of the Geelong Football Club, is a regular swimmer and founder of the Pier to Perignon swim run by the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club. He also plays golf and basketball.

He is married to Robyn and has three children: Martha, Eleanor and Robert.