Peter Walsh (Australian politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Walsh
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| Minister for Finance | |
| In office 13 December 1984 – 4 April 1990 |
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| Preceded by | John Dawkins |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Willis |
| Minister for Resources and Energy | |
| In office 11 March 1983 – 13 December 1984 |
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| Prime Minister | Bob Hawke |
| Preceded by | Doug Anthony |
| Succeeded by | Gareth Evans |
| Senator for Western Australia | |
| In office 18 May 1974 – 30 June 1993 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 March 1935 Doodlakine, Western Australia |
| Died | 10 April 2015 (aged 80) Perth, Western Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Occupation | Farmer and grazier |
Peter Alexander Walsh (born March 11, 1935 – died April 10, 2015) was an important Australian politician. He was a senator and a member of the Australian Labor Party from 1974 to 1993. During his time in government, he held two very important jobs: Minister for Resources and Energy, and later, Minister for Finance. He was known for his strong belief in free market ideas, which means he thought businesses should have a lot of freedom.
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Who Was Peter Walsh?
Peter Walsh was born in a place called Doodlakine, Western Australia. Before he became a politician, he worked as a farmer. This background gave him a good understanding of how the economy works and the challenges people face.
Becoming a Senator
In 1974, Peter Walsh was elected to the Australian Senate. The Senate is one of the two parts of the Australian Parliament, where laws are discussed and made. As a senator for Western Australia, he represented the people of his state in the national government. He served in the Senate for many years, until 1993.
Important Government Roles
Peter Walsh held two key roles in the Australian government under Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
Minister for Resources and Energy
From 1983 to 1984, Peter Walsh was the Minister for Resources and Energy. In this job, he was in charge of things like mining, oil, gas, and other natural resources that Australia has. This role is very important for Australia's economy because these resources are a big part of what the country produces and sells.
Minister for Finance
After that, from 1984 to 1990, he became the Minister for Finance. This is a super important job! The Finance Minister is responsible for managing the country's money, including how much the government spends and how it collects taxes. Peter Walsh was known for being very careful with government spending. He believed in making sure the government didn't spend more money than it had.
His Beliefs: Free Market Ideas
Peter Walsh was well-known for his support of "free market" ideas. This means he thought that businesses and individuals should have a lot of freedom to make their own choices about buying, selling, and working, with less control from the government. He believed this approach would help the economy grow and create more opportunities for everyone.
Later Life and Legacy
Peter Walsh passed away in a hospital in Perth on April 10, 2015, when he was 80 years old. He had been sick for a short time. He is remembered as a politician who was dedicated to managing Australia's finances wisely and promoting economic freedom.
