Professor Geoffrey Ian Gallop AC (born 27 September 1951) is an Australian academic and former politician. He was the Premier of Western Australia from 2001 to 2006.

Early life and education

Gallop was born in Geraldton and joined the Australian Labor Party in 1971. After studying economics at the University of Western Australia (UWA), he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1972, and as an undergraduate studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at St John's College, Oxford University met and became close friends with Tony Blair. Blair is also the godfather of Gallop's son Tom, and Gallop was a groomsman at Blair's 1980 wedding. He is also a long-time friend of former federal Labor Leader Kim Beazley.

Before entering state politics, Gallop worked as a tutor and lecturer at both Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia, and was a City Councillor at Fremantle from 1983 to 1986.

Politics

Gallop was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Victoria Park in 1986. From 1990 to 1993, during the Lawrence Labor Government, Gallop held portfolios including Education, Parliamentary and Electoral Reform, Fuel and Energy, Micro-Economic Reform, and Minister assisting the Treasurer. The Lawrence government was defeated at the 1993 state elections, and Gallop was elected Deputy Leader of the State Parliamentary Labor Party.

Opposition Leader

In Opposition, his Shadow Ministerial responsibilities included Treasury, Resources and Energy, Parliamentary and Electoral Reform, Public Sector Management, Accountability, Sport and Recreation, Aboriginal Affairs, Health, Federal Affairs, Treasury and the South West.

In October 1996, Jim McGinty resigned as Leader of the Opposition and designated Gallop as his successor, a role which he took on without a vote. Soon afterwards in December of that same year, he contested the State election as Labor Leader. He was defeated by the Liberal Party government of Richard Court.

In Government

At the State election held on the 10 February 2001, Gallop led the Labor Party to victory, becoming Premier and Minister for Public Sector Management, Federal Affairs, Science, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests. Gallop went on to win a second term at the 26 February 2005 state election.

Resignation

On 16 January 2006 Gallop announced his resignation from State Parliament in order to aid his recovery from the stress of politics. He addressed the WA media stating that "in the interests of my career and my family I have decided to rethink my career in Sydney at a university". Treasurer Eric Ripper took over from Gallop as Acting Premier, pending a leadership vote at the State Labor Caucus. Alan Carpenter was elected unopposed and was sworn in on 25 January 2006.

Post-government activities

He became a professor and director of Sydney University's Graduate School of Government in 2006.

On 25 February 2008, it was announced he would be a member of the board of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission.

Gallop was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2008.

Political views

Gallop is a strong supporter of the movement for an Australian republic, and took a leading role in the push for a directly-elected President during the 1998 Constitutional Convention in Canberra. He is pro-choice on the issue of abortion.

References

External links

• Resignation statement
• Constitutional Centre of Western Australia entry on Geoff Gallop
• "Black dog isn't really invincible". On Line Opinion. .