Peter Hendy (politician)

Peter William Hendy (born 10 January 1962) is a former Australian politician. He was the Liberal member representing the Australian House of Representatives seat of Eden-Monaro in New South Wales from 2013 to 2016. Hendy served as Assistant Minister for Productivity in the First Turnbull Ministry between September 2015 and February 2016; and as Assistant Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister to the Minister for Finance from February 2016.[1][2] Hendy lost his seat in the 2016 federal election to Labor candidate Mike Kelly.

This article is about the Australian politician. For the British public transport executive, see Peter Hendy.

The Honourable Peter Hendy
Member of the Australian Parliament for Eden-Monaro
In office 7 September 2013 – 2 July 2016
Preceded by	Mike Kelly
Succeeded by	Mike Kelly
Personal details
Born	(1962-01-10) 10 January 1962 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s)	Bronwyn
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Queensland Australian National University University of Canberra
Profession	Economist; Political advisor; Politician

Early life

Hendy was born in Brisbane and educated at the University of Queensland where he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics (with First Class Honours). He then undertook a scholarship in international economic relations at the Australian National University and has published various papers and articles on public policy issues.[3]

Professional career

Hendy worked in public administration and policy development at Federal and State levels, including periods in the Commonwealth Treasury, New South Wales Cabinet Office and as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Defence, Workplace Relations and Education, Peter Reith.

In 2001, Hendy was implicated in the Children Overboard affair as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Defence.[4] A Senate Committee inquiry into the incident found the Committee did not hear "any compelling evidence that Mr. Reith’s staff acted in any way other than honestly and in good faith."[5]

In June 2002 Hendy became Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).[6] During his tenure at ACCI, Hendy was an advocate for workplace relations improvements. In 2006 he was commissioned by the Federal Treasurer to co-author the International Comparison of Australia's Taxes report, urging long term taxation reform in Australia.[7]

In 2005, Hendy was included in the Australian Financial Review's Inside Power magazine, which lists the most influential people in the Australian political system, as a "key player" in the then industrial relations debate by "straddling both business and government."[8]

In January 2008 Hendy left the ACCI to take up a position as Chief of Staff to Liberal leader, Brendan Nelson. He was one of three ACCI officials who joined Nelson's staff at the time.[9]

Hendy has at various times been a director of Standards Australia, the International Chamber of Commerce (Australia), the Australian Institute of International Affairs, the Australian Made Campaign Limited, the National Business Action Fund, a governor of the National Institute of Labour Studies, Chairman of the Joint Policy Committee of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Australian representative on the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) of the OECD.[10]

Parliament

At the 2013 federal election, Hendy successfully contested the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro; winning the seat with a two-party vote of 50.6 percent from a two-party swing of 4.9 percent.[11]

In 2015, following the release of journalist Peter van Onselen's book, Battleground: Why the Liberal Party Shirtfronted Tony Abbott, Hendy came under media attention for his role in the September 2015 Liberal Party leadership spill that saw Malcolm Turnbull replace Tony Abbott as party leader. In his book, van Onselen revealed a meeting of Turnbull supporters took place in Hendy's Queanbeyan home the night before Turnbull mounted his leadership challenge.[12]

Hendy was promoted to Assistant Minister for Productivity following the leadership change to Malcolm Turnbull in September 2015 in the First Turnbull Ministry.[6] On 13 February 2016, it was announced that Hendy would be appointed as Assistant Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister to the Minister for Finance following a rearrangement in the ministry.[1]

The federal election held on 2 July 2016 saw Hendy lose the seat, with Eden-Monaro returning to Labor's Mike Kelly.

Honours

Hendy was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 by the Governor-General of Australia for "service to Australian society in business leadership”.[7]

Personal life

Hendy lives in Queanbeyan and is married to Bronwyn Hendy with two children.[13]

Published works

• Captains of Industry - Biographies of the Presidents of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2008) (Melbourne University Press) ISBN 9780522855746

References

1. Massola, James (13 February 2016). "Cabinet reshuffle: Malcolm Turnbull announces new frontbench as Mal Brough resigns". The Age. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
2. "Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony". Events. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
3. Peter Hendy | LinkedIn
4. Coorey, Phillip (21 December 2007). "Rudd takes control to new highs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
5. Select Committee on A Certain Maritime Incident Report. Parliament House, Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. 2002. p. 530.
6. "Hon Dr Peter Hendy MP". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
7. "Peter Hendy". University of Queensland. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
8. "AFR Magazine". Australian Financial Review. 30 September 2005. p. 92.
9. Kerr, Christian (20 February 2008). "More woe for Mr 9%: Liberal MPs moan about his staff". Crikey. Archived from the original on 4 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
10. "From the editor's desk". Bay Post-Moruya Examiner. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
11. "NSW DIVISION - EDEN-MONARO". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
12. Williams, Pamela. "Taking down Tony Abbott: how Malcolm Turnbull staged a coup". The Australian. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
13. "Peter Hendy". Liberal Party of Australia. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Mike Kelly	Member for Eden-Monaro 2013–2016	Succeeded by Mike Kelly
Political offices
Preceded by Scott Ryan	Assistant Cabinet Secretary 2016–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Himself as Assistant Minister for Productivity	Assistant Minister to the Minister for Finance 2016–present