Biography

Following his re-election in 2008, Peter was sworn in as Minister for Energy and Training, a portfolio which was later extended to Minister for Training and Workforce Development. In 2010, Peter also assumed the portfolio of Indigenous Affairs.

In July 2012, a Cabinet reshuffle saw Peter appointed Minister for Education. Peter retained the Energy and Indigenous Affairs portfolios and relinquished the Training and Workforce Development portfolio.

Following the Liberal-National Government’s re-election in March 2013, Peter was appointed Minister for Education, Aboriginal Affairs (previously Indigenous Affairs) and Electoral Affairs. In addition, Peter was elected by his colleagues as Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.

Despite the Government losing office at the March 2017 election, Peter retained his seat in the North Metropolitan region. He was subsequently appointed Shadow Minister for Housing and Disability Services and elected Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council by his colleagues.

Following the 2021 election, Peter once again retained his seat in the North Metropolitan region and he was appointed Shadow Minister for Police; Corrective Services and Culture and the Arts.

Education has been a lifelong passion for Peter. Before entering politics, he spent 23 years in Western Australian classrooms as a teacher in public and private schools. Peter is especially proud of the key role he played in the development and implementation of the State Government’s revolutionary Independent Public Schools program which provides greater autonomy for schools.

His record in improving outcomes in Aboriginal education and providing Western Australian students with a greater array of career options are also sources of much satisfaction. As former chair of the Aboriginal Affairs Sub-Committee, Peter spearheaded a reform process that will see a more co-ordinated government approach to delivering services to Western Australia’s Aboriginal communities.

Peter has served on many State and Federal committees including the National Expert Advisory Committee on School Drug Education, the Western Australian Youth Advisory Committee and the WA Youth Grants Selection Committee.

Away from politics, Peter has been heavily involved in tennis. He was the professional coach at the Peppermint Grove Tennis Club for 15 years and was the coach of former tennis professionals Jenny Byrne, Dinky Van Rensburg and Joanne Faull on the Women’s Tennis Association tour in 1989 and 1990. Peter was also named Western Australia Tennis Coach of the Year in 1990 by the Tennis Coaches’ Association.