About Colin Barnett

Political Career

Colin Barnett was elected as the 29^th Premier of Western Australia on 6 September 2008.

Following the election victory, he formed a Liberal-National Government with the support of 3 Independent Members of Parliament.

Becoming Premier is the culmination of a long parliamentary career:

• Colin was first elected as the Liberal Member for Cottesloe in 1990
• Deputy leader of the Liberal Party in 1992
• Senior Minister in the Court Government (1993 to 2001) holding the portfolios of Resources Development, Energy, Education, Tourism and Leader of the House
• Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2005

Along with the role of Premier, Colin also holds the portfolio of State Development.

Personal Background

Colin James Barnett was born in Nedlands on 15 July 1950.

He was educated at Nedlands Primary School and Hollywood Senior High School.

Despite initially showing an interest in geology, Colin swapped over to economics, a subject that suited him well and earned him an Honours and Masters Degree from the University of Western Australia.

He began his working career in Canberra after winning a cadetship with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and later returned to WA as a lecturer in economics at Curtin University and a visiting fellow at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

In his early 30s Colin was appointed as Economist at the Confederation of Western Australian Industry which would later become the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Western Australia (CCIWA).

From 1985 to 1990 Colin was executive director of the CCIWA, assisting with the growth and development of West Australian businesses, both domestically and internationally.

Colin is married to Lyn, has four sons and lives in Claremont.

When he has the chance, Colin enjoys a game of tennis and sheep breeding on the small family farm.

Achievements in Government

Colin is best known for his role in the economic development of Western Australia.

As a Minister he was involved in major projects including the Goldfields Gas Pipeline, Hydro electric power on the Ord River, the Onslow Salt Project, expansion of the North West Shelf Project and the Perth underground power project.

As Education Minister he introduced a kindergarten program and pre-primary year for all students in WA.

He also pursed special interests such as the preservation of the ancient rock art on the Burrup Peninsula.

As Premier, Colin has continued on a strong pro-development policy with current projects including a liquefied natural gas industry for the Kimberley region and a new deep sea port at Oakajee near Geraldton. For Perth, he is planning to sink the railway, develop a major town square and develop a waterfront tourism area.