492:, Thwaites campaigned against the Kennett Government’s cuts to health and the privatisation of ambulance services. He used Freedom of Information documents to highlight long delays in hospital emergency departments and health budget cuts. (“Austin in patient crisis, says Labor”, The Age, 3 October 1996.) Thwaites also highlighted concerns about privatisation of ambulance dispatching to a private company, Intergraph, which the Auditor General found “at best involved serious mismanagement or, at worst, constituted corrupt activity”. (“State backs Intergraph reports bid”, The Age, 3 September 1999). The Intergraph affair and concerns about hospital privatisation and ambulance services were major issues in the 1999 state election.
165:
25:
654:, the body responsible for developing and managing Australia's building regulations. In 2012, he was appointed as chair of the National Sustainability Council that provides independent advice to the Australian Government on sustainability issues and produces independent reports on sustainability indicators and trends.
516:
After the
November 2002 state election, at which Labor was returned with a record majority, Thwaites was appointed Minister for Environment, Water and Victorian Communities. Thwaites' term as Minister for Water coincided with the millennium drought in southeast Australia that put significant pressure
500:
In
September 1999 Bracks polled surprisingly well in the election, and three rural independent members gave Labor the opportunity to govern as a minority government. As Deputy Leader, Thwaites became Deputy Premier and was given the senior Health portfolio, with a mandate to increase funding to the
686:
to co-chair the
Victorian Cladding Taskforce to oversee the investigation and audit of buildings with dangerous cladding. Following recommendations of the Cladding Taskforce, the Victorian Government conducted a statewide audit of multi-story buildings, boosted enforcement of building regulations
578:
with a comfortable but slightly reduced majority. While there was some speculation he might be dumped as Deputy
Premier, Premier Bracks has supported him continuing in this role. In the cabinet re-shuffle after the election he became minister for climate change but lost the portfolio of Victorian
505:
from 1999 to
February 2002. Shortly after taking office, Thwaites cancelled the proposed privatisation of the Austin Hospital and announced plans for the government to rebuild the hospital with public funds. (“Labor to cancel Austin hospital privatisation” The Age 28 October 1999) (“Can the
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Labor was again heavily defeated at the 1996 election, and it became apparent that the party could not recover under Brumby's leadership. Thwaites had been a loyal deputy to Brumby, although in March 1999 he supported moves to have Brumby resign. Thwaites could not become leader himself because he
611:
When
Premier Steve Bracks announced his surprise resignation on 27 July 2007, only hours later Thwaites announced he too would resign. He said he had been Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party in Victoria for ten years and it was now time "to give someone else a go and bring in some new
570:
government, Thwaites led the development of the government's social justice strategy, "A Fairer
Victoria", working with other social policy ministers. The strategy committed $ 788 million in the 2005 state budget and $ 818 million in the 2006 budget to tackle disadvantage across a range of areas
520:
Thwaites introduced major reforms to water policy and legislation in
Victoria including giving the environment a statutory right to water, reforming irrigation water rights and establishing sustainable water planning strategies. He also oversaw programs to return environmental flows to the
582:
In June 2007, amid rumours of Bracks resigning as premier, there was a series of leaks from inside government about Mr
Thwaites and his family being given free accommodation, lift passes, food and drink at ski resorts over the last five years without declaring it. The family stayed at
540:
and
Thwaites announced the "Our Water Our Future" plan which included a new desalination plant at Wonthaggi, modernising Victoria’s irrigation system to save water lost through inefficiencies, expanding a water grid across Victoria and increased recycling and water conservation.
512:
As Planning Minister, Thwaites put controls on high-rise development around Port Phillip Bay and introduced a residential planning code, Rescode, to preserve neighbourhood character in planning decisions. He also initiated "Melbourne 2030", a 30-year strategy plan for Melbourne.
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including early childhood development, mental health, disability, and community development. It was described by the head of the Brotherhood of St Laurence as “an unprecedented effort to make Victoria a better place for those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.”
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new government fix health? The Age 20 November 1999). Like all state health ministers, he had only limited success in reducing waiting lists at public hospitals, but did succeed in restoring the numbers of nurses.
517:
on urban and rural water supplies. Premier Steve Bracks and Thwaites led a major water saving campaign commencing in 2003 that by 2006 had reduced water use per head by 22 per cent compared to the 1990s.
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and Community Services in April 1996, and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in December 1996. Thwaites belonged to neither of the dominant factions of the Victorian Labor Party, the right-wing
1115:
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and water consumption. Victoria was the first state to introduce five-star energy efficiency requirements for new homes together with incentives for rainwater tanks and solar hot water.
706:. He currently chairs the National Sustainable Development Council, which in 2018 produced the "Transforming Australia: SDG Progress report" on Australia's progress in implementing the
647:
and Fair Trade Australia New Zealand. He was also a consultant to Maddocks Solicitors with specialty areas of practice in environment, water and climate change between 2008 and 2015.
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Thwaites is currently the chair of Melbourne Water, which manages Melbourne’s water, sewerage, drainage and waterway health, and sits on a number of water advisory bodies.
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1129:
1352:
435:
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Thwaites has been appointed to a number of reviews and advisory bodies for the federal and state governments. In 2016, the Victorian Government appointed him with
675:, the end of misleading marketing, and requiring retailers to fix offer prices for 12 months. The Victorian Government has now implemented most of these reforms.
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in the four years he was environment minister. Expenses for the trips, which each required at least one night's accommodation, totalled more than $ 17,500.
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One of Thwaites first actions as Health Minister was to ban smoking in restaurants. He later introduced legislation to ban smoking in gaming venues.
671:
The review recommended major reforms to energy pricing for households and small business including a "no frills" electricity price to be regulated by the
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53:
33:
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show Thwaites made 17 taxpayer-funded visits to Victoria's snowfields and national parks between 2003 and 2007. He had eight stays at Tidal River on
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915:
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as chair of the National Sustainability Council to provide independent advice to the government on sustainability issues. The Council produced the
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107:
79:
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710:(SDGs). He is currently co-chair of the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) launched by the
93:
1297:
1212:
901:
431:
235:
126:
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In the greatly reduced Labor Caucus, Thwaites gained rapid promotion. He became Shadow Minister for Health in January 1994, Shadow
739:
502:
346:
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873:
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75:
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651:
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385:, where he graduated in science and law. He practised as a barrister before entering politics. He was a ministerial advisor to
1195:
536:
In 2007, after Victoria had experienced its worst year of drought and the lowest streamflows in the state's history, Premier
489:
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government-owned apartments at the invitation of the management boards, which he had appointed. Documents obtained under
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public health system which had been the subject of cutbacks under the Liberal government. He was also
1272:
1101:
723:
560:
355:
164:
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for "significant service to the environment, and to the people and Parliament of Victoria" in the
588:
690:
Since leaving politics, Thwaites has worked with governments, business and academics to promote
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727:
665:
621:
434:. Labor, having been in office for ten years, suffered a landslide defeat at the hands of the
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378:
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Thwaites follows Bracks into retirement - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
635:
He has also been appointed to a number of senior board positions, including president,
552:
430:
Thwaites entered Parliament at the 1992 election, as member for the inner city seat of
145:
473:, and was an acceptable compromise candidate as Deputy to the then Opposition Leader,
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blood". He officially resigned on 30 July 2007 and from parliament on 6 August 2007.
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and announced a $ 600 million plan to remove dangerous cladding from buildings.
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973:
Victorian deputy premier quits too | National Breaking News | News.com.au
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to conduct an independent review of retail electricity and gas markets.
763:
458:. Most commentators expected Labor to be in opposition for many years.
293:
643:, chair the Climate Group, chair Peter Cullen Trust, and director of
422:
City Council in 1985 and served until 1993, and was Mayor in 1991–92.
450:
and a series of financial disasters including the forced sale of the
367:
289:
682:
on buildings, Thwaites was appointed with former Victorian Premier
544:
As Minister for Environment, Thwaites introduced measures to lower
726:, which aims to speed up global and equitable solutions to the
370:, England, and came to Australia as a child with his family.
63:
from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially
18:
1293:
Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Victoria
1057:"Bipartisan Review into Electricity and Gas Retail Markets"
916:"Spending Money on Vulnerable Children Will Help Everyone"
620:
After leaving politics, Thwaites became a professor at
940:
Opposition pushes for probe of Thwaites' free holidays
1116:"Former Ministers Lead Probe Into Flammable Cladding"
442:. In the last three years of its term, Labor, under
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1158:"Thwaites Appointed to Lancet Covid-19 Commission"
481:had a small factional base, but instead supported
350:is an Australian former politician, and served as
714:to mobilise universities in support of the SDGs.
832:"Debunking the myths of Victoria's Water Saving"
650:In 2011, Thwaites was appointed as chair of the
1308:Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
8:
708:United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
1288:People educated at Melbourne Grammar School
902:"Returning Power to the People of Victoria"
551:Thwaites also oversaw a major expansion of
1191:
163:
140:
76:"John Thwaites" Australian politician
56:about living persons that is unsourced or
1071:"Energy Retailers Fight Price Regulation"
962:Thwaites ski trips cost taxpayers $ 17500
127:Learn how and when to remove this message
1318:Ministers for the Environment (Victoria)
874:"Otways Parks and Tourism Grow Together"
717:In July 2020, Thwaites was appointed to
626:Monash Sustainable Development Institute
1353:Ministers for Climate Action (Victoria)
776:"Ambulance scandal threatens Kennett",
754:
712:Secretary-General of the United Nations
248:3 October 1992 – 6 August 2007
193:21 October 1999 – 30 July 2007
1172:"Professor Johnstone William THWAITES"
888:"Thwaites Rejects Alpine Grazing Plan"
637:Australian Centre for the Moving Image
559:, and removed cattle grazing from the
1011:"Sustainability & Climate Change"
7:
1102:"New Victorian Energy Default Offer"
996:"Parliamentary Skills into Practice"
1333:21st-century Australian politicians
1323:Academic staff of Monash University
1085:"Retail Energy Review Final Report"
846:"Bracks Announces $ 5bn Water Plan"
817:"Limits put on bayside high-rise",
698:. In 2012, he was appointed by the
678:In 2017, amid public concern about
645:Green Building Council of Australia
1144:"Sustainability a New Way of Life"
1043:"Gas and Electricity Prices Surge"
929:New faces for Cabinet | Herald Sun
14:
1343:Ministers for Planning (Victoria)
1283:Members of the Order of Australia
704:Sustainable Australia Report 2013
343:Johnstone William "John" Thwaites
1130:"State Pays for Shoddy Cladding"
740:Member of the Order of Australia
23:
1328:20th-century Australian lawyers
1313:Ministers for Health (Victoria)
951:Thwaites backs Brumby as leader
761:"Selloffs the big difference",
652:Australian Building Codes Board
641:Australian Building Codes Board
553:Victoria's national park system
1348:Ministers for Water (Victoria)
1338:English emigrants to Australia
1196:Victorian Legislative Assembly
804:"Smokers butt out at pokies",
399:Victorian Legislative Assembly
1:
860:"The Greening of the Suburbs"
696:Sustainable Development Goals
673:Essential Services Commission
555:, including creation of the
446:, had presided over a sharp
418:Thwaites was elected to the
397:before being elected to the
34:biography of a living person
1303:Deputy premiers of Victoria
585:freedom-of-information laws
574:Thwaites was re-elected at
389:state government ministers
61:must be removed immediately
1369:
1245:Deputy Premier of Victoria
744:2021 Australia Day Honours
566:In the second term of the
181:Deputy Premier of Victoria
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557:Great Otway National Park
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1298:Monash Law School alumni
576:Victorian elections 2006
456:Pyramid Building Society
375:Melbourne Grammar School
362:Early life and education
738:Thwaites was appointed
694:and the United Nations
692:sustainable development
414:Local council and mayor
734:Recognition and awards
630:ClimateWorks Australia
454:, and the collapse of
452:State Bank of Victoria
48:Please help by adding
700:Australian Government
503:Minister for Planning
366:Thwaites was born in
16:Australian politician
1073:. 11 September 2017.
1023:on 12 September 2009
561:Alpine National Park
546:greenhouse emissions
485:for the leadership.
54:Contentious material
904:. 10 February 2006.
821:, 14 December 1999.
808:Sun 30 August 2002.
780:, 28 September 1999
767:, 9 September 1999.
724:Covid-19 Commission
490:Minister for Health
463:Minister for Health
373:He was educated at
358:from 1999 to 2007.
1230:Political offices
1045:. 2 December 2016.
890:. 11 October 2005.
834:. 23 January 2007.
680:flammable cladding
589:Wilsons Promontory
1261:
1260:
1252:Succeeded by
1220:Succeeded by
998:. 14 August 2009.
876:. 4 January 2005.
795:27 November 1999.
666:Patricia Faulkner
622:Monash University
469:or the left-wing
395:Andrew McCutcheon
379:Monash University
340:
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137:
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37:needs additional
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1016:. Archived from
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595:and two each to
591:, five trips to
426:State Parliament
409:Political career
401:for the seat of
354:of the state of
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281:Personal details
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169:Thwaites in 2002
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50:reliable sources
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1160:. 20 July 2020.
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1132:. 16 July 2019.
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848:. 19 June 2007.
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1176:It's An Honour
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1118:. 2 July 2017.
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918:. 9 June 2006.
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862:. 7 July 2003.
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639:(ACMI), chair
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616:After politics
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531:Thomson Rivers
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471:Socialist Left
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146:The Honourable
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1179:. Retrieved
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1025:. Retrieved
1018:the original
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677:
670:
662:Terry Mulder
659:
656:
649:
634:
619:
610:
597:Mount Buller
593:Mount Hotham
581:
573:
565:
550:
543:
538:Steve Bracks
535:
519:
515:
511:
508:
499:
487:
483:Steve Bracks
479:
460:
440:Jeff Kennett
429:
417:
372:
365:
342:
341:
271:Martin Foley
266:Succeeded by
243:
221:Succeeded by
214:Pat McNamara
202:Steve Bracks
188:
138:
123:
114:
104:
97:
90:
83:
71:
60:
43:verification
36:
1273:1955 births
1213:Albert Park
1211:Member for
1205:Bunna Walsh
789:"Butt out"
607:Resignation
601:Falls Creek
475:John Brumby
467:Labor Unity
444:Joan Kirner
432:Albert Park
403:Albert Park
387:Labor Party
301:Nationality
259:Bunna Walsh
254:Preceded by
236:Albert Park
209:Preceded by
1267:Categories
1249:1999–2007
1217:1992–2007
1181:25 January
1027:13 October
1009:Maddocks.
819:Herald Sun
792:Herald Sun
750:References
720:The Lancet
488:As Shadow
391:Jim Kennan
327:Profession
304:Australian
117:April 2024
87:newspapers
1255:Rob Hulls
448:recession
383:Melbourne
331:Barrister
244:In office
226:Rob Hulls
189:In office
179:25th
39:citations
728:pandemic
356:Victoria
65:libelous
778:The Age
764:The Age
294:England
198:Premier
101:scholar
806:Herald
568:Bracks
529:, and
523:Murray
438:under
368:Oxford
319:Spouse
290:Oxford
103:
96:
89:
82:
74:
1088:(PDF)
1021:(PDF)
1014:(PDF)
527:Snowy
313:Labor
108:JSTOR
94:books
32:This
1183:2021
1029:2008
664:and
628:and
599:and
393:and
377:and
286:Born
234:for
80:news
41:for
632:.
1269::
1174:.
746:.
730:.
563:.
533:.
525:,
477:.
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381:,
347:AM
292:,
155:AM
52:.
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105:·
98:·
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