General News
25 November, 2024
BREAKING NEWS: Walsh steps down as leader
MURRAY Plains MP Peter Walsh has stepped down as leader of the Nationals in Victoria after 10 years. Mr Walsh, the Boort-born former president of the Victorian Farmers' Federation who has been in Parliament for 22 years, told a party room meeting of...
MURRAY Plains MP Peter Walsh has stepped down as leader of the Nationals in Victoria after 10 years.
Mr Walsh, the Boort-born former president of the Victorian Farmers' Federation who has been in Parliament for 22 years, told a party room meeting of his decision on Monday.
He served as agriculture minister in the Baillieu-Napthine Government between 2010 and 2014.
Mr Walsh saidhe would continue working hard as the Member for Murray Plains.
Mr Walsh said this morning:
Before entering Parliament, he owned and operated one of the state’s largest tomato growing operations as part of his irrigated horticulture and cropping enterprise, also producing cereals, oilseeds and legumes. In that role he began his public and community service as Victorian Farmers Federation president; a director of the National Farmers Federation and a director of SPC Limited.
Born and raised in Boort, Mr Walsh’s time farming and living in regional Victoria saw him naturally interested in agricultural and water policy, which is why, he said, he put his hand up to try and make a difference.
After his work with the VFF and entering politics, Mr Walsh would go on to serve as Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Water in the 2010-2014 Coalition Government. He was elected leader of the Victorian Nationals following the November 2014 election.
In 2003 Peter was awarded a Centenary Medal for his services to the environment.
Mr Walsh said the development of the Murray Darling Basin Plan was one of his biggest political challenges, fighting hard in Opposition and Government to ensure the rights of Victorian irrigators were fairly balanced with the needs of the environment.
He said he believed that initially had been achieved, but he now has “grave concerns” the socialist left agenda of both the Albanese and Allan Labor governments has “skewed the goals and long-term future of the strategy”.
“It has been my privilege to serve the people of two electorates in regional Victoria, in particular, and the whole state in general, and to have been able to lead The Nationals for 10 years and help return to party to the prominence it and its supporters deserve, with 11 members in the Parliament, has been something which I look on with pride and satisfaction,” Mr Walsh explained.
“I would also like to personally thank all the staff who have worked with me, put up with me, through all these years, it would not have been possible to do the work I have without their support,” he added.
“And I cannot thank the people of the seats of Swan Hill, and Murray Plains enough for their ongoing support, and trust in me, as their voice in the state’s Parliament. And I look forward to continuing to work on their behalf as we head towards the 2026 election and returning the right parties to government.”
Outside politics, Mr Walsh is a keen footy fan. He not only played football for Boort but was also the club president, committee member and selector at various stages.
A lifelong Geelong supporter, he is now hoping his new world will allow him time to attend more games.
“Finally, I cannot thank my wife Liz enough. She has been my greatest and most loyal supporter, and it will be almost impossible to repay her for the way she has been prepared to put up with the workload and long absences.
“I was so excited for her, and proud of her, when she received her OAM earlier this year – I was pretty convinced she got that mostly for putting up with me.
“And hopefully she will be able to cope with me being around a bit more than she is used to.”
Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, was elected unopposed aas the Nationals' new leader.Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, will continue as Deputy Leader.
The Coalition released a statement this morning saying:
“It is the greatest honour to have been elected as Leader of The Nationals,” Mr O’Brien said.
“For over 100 years, The Nationals have served the interests of rural and regional Victoria.
That will not change.”
“It remains our singular focus as the only party solely dedicated to serving the interests of the 25 per cent of the population who live outside the metropolitan area.
“I entered politics because I have always believed rural and regional people get a raw deal. As leader of our great party, I will fight every day for country people to get a fair go.
“We have an excellent team of local champions who fight every day for their electorates from Mildura to Mallacoota.
“I look forward to working with Emma and the rest of the team to continue serving the people of rural and regional Victoria.”
Ms Kealy said she was looking forward to continuing her role in fighting for regional Victorians.
"The Nationals have a formidable team of community champions in Parliament and every day we stand side-by-side with our community to ensure they're voice is heard,” Ms Kealy said.
"I look forward to continuing my role in leadership, working withDanny, our MPs and all our members and supporters who are fighting together for a fair deal for regional Victorians.”