John Brumby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable John Brumby AO
Chancellor of La Trobe University
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 March 2019
Preceded by	Richard Larkins
45th Premier of Victoria
In office 30 July 2007 – 2 December 2010
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor	David de Kretser
Deputy	Rob Hulls
Preceded by	Steve Bracks
Succeeded by	Ted Baillieu
Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria
In office 30 July 2007 – 3 December 2010
Deputy	Rob Hulls
Preceded by	Steve Bracks
Succeeded by	Daniel Andrews
In office 30 June 1993 – 19 March 1999
Deputy	Bob Sercombe Demetri Dollis John Thwaites
Preceded by	Jim Kennan
Succeeded by	Steve Bracks
Leader of the Opposition in Victoria
In office 28 September 1993 – 22 March 1999
Premier	Jeff Kennett
Deputy	Bob Sercombe Demetri Dollis John Thwaites
Preceded by	Jim Kennan
Succeeded by	Steve Bracks
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
In office 30 July 2007 – 3 December 2010
Premier	Himself
Preceded by	Steve Bracks
Succeeded by	Nicholas Kotsiras
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
In office 30 July 2007 – 3 December 2010
Premier	Himself
Preceded by	Steve Bracks
Succeeded by	Hugh Delahunty
Treasurer of Victoria
In office 22 May 2000 – 3 August 2007
Premier	Steve Bracks Himself
Preceded by	Steve Bracks
Succeeded by	John Lenders
Minister for Regional and Rural Development
In office 1 December 2006 – 3 August 2007
Premier	Steve Bracks Himself
Preceded by	New position
Succeeded by	Jacinta Allan
Minister for Innovation
In office 12 February 2002 – 3 August 2007
Premier	Steve Bracks Himself
Preceded by	New position
Succeeded by	Gavin Jennings
Minister for State and Regional Development
In office 20 October 1999 – 1 December 2006
Premier	Steve Bracks
Preceded by	Tom Reynolds
Succeeded by	Theo Theophanous
Minister for Finance
In office 20 October 1999 – 22 May 2000
Premier	Steve Bracks
Preceded by	Roger Hallam
Succeeded by	Lynne Kosky
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Broadmeadows
In office 18 September 1993 – 21 December 2010
Preceded by	Jim Kennan
Succeeded by	Frank McGuire
Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Doutta Gatta
In office 20 February 1993 – 10 August 1993
Preceded by	Bill Landeryou
Succeeded by	Monica Gould
Member of the Australian Parliament for Bendigo
In office 5 March 1983 – 24 March 1990
Preceded by	John Bourchier
Succeeded by	Bruce Reid
Personal details
Born	John Mansfield Brumby (1953-04-21) 21 April 1953 (age 72) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Political party	Labor
Spouse	Rosemary McKenzie
Children	3
Alma mater	University of Melbourne
Occupation	Teacher, union official
Signature

John Mansfield Brumby AO (born 21 April 1953) is an important Australian politician. He was the Premier of Victoria from 2007 to 2010. The Premier is like the head of the state government. Before that, he was a key member of the Victorian Labor Party. He also served as a minister for different areas, like veterans' affairs and multicultural affairs. Today, he is the Chancellor of La Trobe University.

Early Life and Education

John Brumby was born in Melbourne, Australia. He went to two different schools, Ivanhoe Grammar School and Melbourne Grammar School. After school, he studied at the University of Melbourne. In 1974, he earned a degree in commerce. The next year, he completed a teaching diploma.

From 1976 to 1979, he worked as a teacher in Bendigo, a city in Victoria. He also worked for the Victorian Teachers Union. During this time, he became very active in the Labor Party.

Political Career Highlights

Starting in Federal Politics

In 1983, John Brumby was elected to the Australian House of Representatives. This is part of Australia's national parliament. He represented the area of Bendigo. He held this position until 1990.

After leaving federal politics, he worked as a consultant. He then became a chief of staff for a federal minister. This role involved helping to create policies for areas like energy and tourism.

Leading the State Opposition

In 1993, John Brumby was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council. This is one of the two houses of Victoria's state parliament. Soon after, he became the leader of the Labor Party in Victoria. This also made him the Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition leads the main party not in government. He then moved to the Victorian Legislative Assembly, the other house of parliament.

As Opposition Leader, Brumby suggested that the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens should be listed as a World Heritage site. This means they would be recognized as very important to the world. This idea later became a reality.

Working in the Bracks Government

Brumby as Minister for Innovation giving a speech in April 2007

In 1999, the Labor Party, led by Steve Bracks, won the state election. John Brumby was given important roles in the new government. He became the Minister for Finance and Minister for State and Regional Development. He worked closely with Premier Bracks.

In May 2000, Brumby became the State Treasurer. This meant he was in charge of Victoria's money and budget. Under his leadership, Victoria's economy grew steadily. He made sure the government always had a budget surplus, meaning they spent less than they earned.

One big decision he faced was about funding new roads. He decided to put a toll on the new EastLink freeway. A toll is a fee you pay to use the road. This decision helped fund the road without taking money from schools or hospitals.

Becoming Premier of Victoria

Brumby with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

In July 2007, Premier Steve Bracks decided to retire. John Brumby was chosen as the new leader of the Labor Party. He was sworn in as the 45th Premier of Victoria on 30 July 2007.

As Premier, he made several important decisions. In April 2008, he changed the rules for poker machine gambling. This move was praised by many groups who wanted to reduce gambling harm.

He also introduced a "2am entry curfew" for bars and clubs in Melbourne city. This rule meant people couldn't enter venues after 2 am. The goal was to reduce violence, but it caused a lot of debate. He later dropped the plan in November 2008.

End of Premiership

John Brumby led the Labor government into the 2010 Victorian state election. His government was narrowly defeated by the Liberal/National Coalition.

After the election, on 30 November, Brumby announced he would step down as Labor leader. He officially resigned from parliament on 21 December 2010.

Life After Politics

After leaving parliament, John Brumby continued to be active in public life. He took on roles at Monash University and the University of Melbourne. He also became chairman of a superannuation fund.

In 2017, he was recognized for his service to Victoria. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia. This is a high honor given for outstanding service to the country. He is currently the national president of the Australia China Business Council.

In March 2019, he became the Chancellor of La Trobe University. This is a very important leadership role at a university.

Personal Life

John Brumby is married to Rosemary McKenzie. They have three children together.

See also

• Brumby Ministry