Robert Clark (Australian politician): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Australian politician (born 1957)}}

'''Robert Clark''' is a politician representing the [[Liberal Party of Australia]] in the state of [[Victoria]].

{{Use Australian English|date=September 2016}}

He is currently a Member of the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly]] for [[Electoral district of Box Hill|Box Hill]].

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]

| name = Robert Clark

| honorific-suffix =

| image = File:RB 2023 Former Member for Box Hill Victoria b..jpg

| image_size =

| office = 52nd [[Attorney-General of Victoria]]

| parliament = Victorian

| term_start = 2 December 2010

| term_end = 4 December 2014

| premier = [[Denis Napthine]]

| predecessor = [[Rob Hulls]]

| successor = [[Martin Pakula]]

| constituency_MP2 = [[Electoral district of Box Hill|Box Hill]]

| parliament2 = Victorian

| term_start2 = 3 October 1992

| term_end2 = 24 November 2018

| deputy =

| predecessor2 = [[Margaret Ray (Australian politician)|Margaret Ray]]

| successor2 = [[Paul Hamer]]

| constituency_MP3 = [[Electoral district of Balwyn|Balwyn]]

'''Early Life'''<br />

| parliament3 = Victorian

| term_start3 = 1 October 1988

| term_end3 = 2 October 1992

| predecessor3 = [[Jim Ramsay]]

| successor3 = ''Seat abolished''

| birth_date = {{bda|df=y|11 March 1957}}

Having attended both St. Albans High School and University High School during his formative years, Clark undertook his tertiary education at the [[University of Melbourne]], obtaining his B.Com (Hons) in 1980, an LLB in 1982 and a BA in 1986. Whilst at university, he was active in both the Melbourne University Liberal Club and the Australian Liberal Students’ Federation, serving as the President (1979-81) and Vice-President (1981-82) of these organisations respectively.

| birth_place = [[Melbourne]], Australia

| death_date =

| death_place =

| constituency =

| party = [[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal]]

| spouse =

| profession =

| religion =

| signature =

| footnotes = |

}}

'''Robert William Clark''' (born 11 March 1957) is an Australian former politician. He was a [[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal Party]] member of the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly]] from 1988 to 2018, representing the electorates of [[electoral district of Balwyn|Balwyn]] (1988–1992) and [[electoral district of Box Hill|Box Hill]] (1992–2018). He served as [[Attorney-General of Victoria|Attorney-General]] and [[Minister for Finance (Victoria)|Minister for Finance]] in the [[Baillieu Ministry]] and [[Napthine Ministry]] from 2010 to 2014, and also served as Minister for Industrial Relations under Napthine from 2013 to 2014. He had previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer (1992–1996) and Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury and Multimedia (1996–1999) during the [[Jeff Kennett|Kennett]] government.<ref name=parl>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/id/75|title=Hon Robert Clark|publisher=Parliament of Victoria|date=|access-date=}}</ref>

Serving also as the Treasurer of the Melbourne University Students' Representative Council (1976-77), Clark was responsible for legal proceedings brought against the University concerning the collection of the Student Service Fee. The action also protested the right of the University Council to award such funds to the SRC, and the right of the SRC to subsequently allocate said funds to the AUS.

In what was labelled the “Kaye” judgement, the court ruled that the SSF was not a fee for services provided but was rather in the nature of a levy of a tax or charge. It was further ruled that the [[University of Melbourne]] was a ‘public authority exercising legislative powers’, in that the University was unduly exercising a power in the absence of legislative approval from parliament. Clark’s instrumental role in these actions resulted in significant changes to the law relating to student unionism in Victoria.

==Early life==

Having attended both St. Albans High School and University High School, Clark undertook his tertiary education at the [[University of Melbourne]], obtaining his BCom (Hons) in 1980, an LLB in 1982 and a BA in 1986.<ref name=parl/>

'''Entry into Politics'''<br />

==Student activism==

Clark joined the [[liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] in 1976. He was an Executive Member of the Victorian Young Liberal Movement in 1986 and Vice-Chairman of the Deakin Electorate Committee from 1986 to 1988. He has also been a member of the Party's Constitutional Committee since 1987.

Whilst at university, Clark became active in both the [[Melbourne University Liberal Club]] and the [[Australian Liberal Students' Federation]], serving as the president (1979–81) and vice-president (1981–82) respectively of those organisations.

While serving also as the treasurer of the Melbourne University Students' Representative Council (1976–77), Clark was responsible for legal proceedings brought against the university concerning the collection of the student service fee. The action challenged the right of the University Council to award such funds to the SRC, and the subsequent right of the SRC to allocate those funds to the [[Australian Union of Students]].

'''Member of Victorian State Parliament'''<br />

In what was called the Kaye Judgement, the court ruled that the Student Service Fee was not a fee for services provided but was essentially a tax or charge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bills Digest No. 58 2003-04 |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bd/2003-04/04bd058.htm |publisher=Department of the Parliamentary Library |access-date=2018-11-29 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040209140315/http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bd/2003-04/04bd058.htm |archivedate=2004-02-09}}</ref> It was further ruled that the University of Melbourne was a "public authority exercising legislative powers", in that the university was unduly exercising a power in the absence of legislative approval from Parliament. Clark's instrumental role in these actions resulted in significant changes to the law relating to student unionism in Victoria.<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Organisations in Australia |url=http://internationalstudents.asn.au/uploads/media/vsu.pdf |publisher=National Union of Students |access-date=2018-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050615151331/http://internationalstudents.asn.au/uploads/media/vsu.pdf |url-status=dead |archivedate=2005-06-15}}</ref>

In 1988, after almost five years serving as a solicitor practicing in commercial, financial and labour law, Clark was elected to the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly]] seat of Balwyn. However, following the division of electorate boundaries in 1991, the traditionally safe Liberal seat of Balwyn ceased to exist – forcing Clark to seek re-election in the newly marginal and composite seat of [[Electoral district of Box Hill|Box Hill]]. This contest for re-election was successful for Clark, who subsequently assumed the role of Parliamentary Secretary to the Victorian Treasurer, [[Alan Stockdale]], in 1992.

==Entry into politics==

From 1992 to 1999 he also convened the Parliamentary Coalition's Treasury and Finance Committee. He was a member of the Coalition's Attorney-General's Committee 1992-1999, Education Committee 1992-1996, Tertiary Education Committee 1996-1999 and Multimedia Committee 1996-1999.

Clark joined the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] in 1976. He was an executive member of the Victorian Young Liberal Movement in 1986 and was vice-chairman of the Deakin Electorate Committee from 1986 to 1988. He has also been a member of the Party's Constitutional Committee since 1987.

Following the [[Victorian general election, 1996|1996 Victorian state election]], Clark was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Multimedia, a position he held until the Coalition lost Government in October 1999.

==Member of Victorian State Parliament==

From October 1999 until September 2001, Clark was Shadow Minister for Planning (including Major Projects) and Shadow Minister for WorkCover, from September 2001 to August 2002 was Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Finance and Shadow Minister for WorkCover and from August 2002 to November 2002 was Shadow Minister for Finance, Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Shadow Minister for WorkCover and Shadow Minister for Gaming. In November 2002, Clark assumed the post of Shadow Treasurer and held the position until December of 2006.

After working as a solicitor practicing in commercial, financial and labour law from 1983 to 1988,<ref>{{cite re-member |title=The Hon. Robert William Clark |num2=9 |access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Clark |url=https://www.wheelercentre.com/people/robert-clark |website=Wheeler Centre |access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref> Clark was elected to the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly]] seat of [[Electoral district of Balwyn|Balwyn]] on 1 October 1988.<ref name=parl/> Following the division of electorate boundaries in 1991, Clark successfully sought re-election in the seat of [[Electoral district of Box Hill|Box Hill]] and subsequently assumed the role of Parliamentary Secretary to the Victorian Treasurer, [[Alan Stockdale]], in 1992.

In the [[2006 Victorian State Election]], Robert Clark again secured the electoral seat of [[Electoral district of Box Hill|Box Hill]] for the Liberal Party, despite a slight swing (1.1%) to the ALP in the [[Victorian legislative election, 2002|2002 election]]. Clark managed 49.49% of the primary vote and 55.22% of the two candidate preferred vote in the 2006 election, up from 46.79% of the primary vote and 51.09% of the two candidate preferred vote in 2002.

From 1992 to 1999 he convened the Parliamentary Coalition's Treasury and Finance Committee. He was a member of the Coalition's Attorney-General's Committee 1992–1999, Education Committee 1992–1996, Tertiary Education Committee 1996–1999 and Multimedia Committee 1996–1999.

Following the failure of the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] to form government in 2006, Clark has been appointed as Shadow Attorney General, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Shadow Minister for Information and Communication Technology and Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources.

Following the [[1996 Victorian state election]], Clark was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Multimedia, a position he held until the Coalition lost Government in October 1999.

From October 1999 until September 2001, Clark was Shadow Minister for Planning (including Major Projects) and Shadow Minister for WorkCover, from September 2001 to August 2002 was Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Finance and Shadow Minister for WorkCover and from August 2002 to November 2002 was Shadow Minister for Finance, Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Shadow Minister for WorkCover and Shadow Minister for Gaming. In November 2002, Clark assumed the post of Shadow Treasurer and held the position until December 2006.

'''Personal Life'''<br />

In December 2006, Clark was appointed as Shadow Attorney General, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Shadow Minister for Information and Communication Technology and Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources. Following the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition's]] win at the [[2010 Victorian state election|2010 state election]], Clark was appointed [[Department of Justice (Victoria)|Attorney-General of Victoria]] on 2 December 2010. After the defeat of the Coalition at the [[2014 Victorian state election|2014 state election]], Clark unsuccessfully contested the deputy leadership of the Liberal Party.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferguson |first=John |date=2014-12-04 |title=Victorian Liberals put their houses in order |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/victoria-election/victorian-liberals-put-their-houses-in-order/news-story/6982cab19ea9e884ed40ba355b94fa2c |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

A devout Catholic, he is currently married with two children.

Clark lost his seat in the [[2018 Victorian state election|2018 election]], suffering a nearly 8-point swing against him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Results/State2018/BoxHillDistrict.html|title=State Election 2018: Box Hill District results summary - Victorian Electoral Commission|website=www.vec.vic.gov.au|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> Clark had held the seat or its predecessor for three decades. Shortly after his defeat, the Victorian branch of the Liberal Party elected him as its president, succeeding [[Michael Kroger]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Preiss |first1=Benjamin |title=Former Liberal MP Robert Clark voted in as party president |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/former-liberal-mp-robert-clark-voted-in-as-party-president-20181214-p50mg0.html |access-date=2018-12-14 |work=The Age |date=2018-12-14}}</ref>

He is an Honorary Patron of the Box Hill Rugby Union Football Club.

Clark led a group of party moderates dedicated to stamping out religious right influences on the party and accused them of branch stacking. Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett indicated that there were widespread internal issues within the Victorian Liberal Party under Clark's presidency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/kennett-to-seek-bloodless-transition-in-return-to-state-politics-20210319-p57cbu.html|access-date=2021-03-20 |title=Kennett to seek bloodless transition |work=The Age |date=2021-03-20}}</ref> In response to Kennett's move against him, Clark's supporters attempted to talk up his standing in the party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/james-campbell/jeff-kennetts-political-comeback-as-president-of-the-victorian-liberal-party-relies-on-one-thing/news-story/016740a76dd6824440a65ebdec2cec16|access-date=2021-03-20 |title=Kennett's political comeback |work=Herald Sun |date=2021-03-20}}</ref>

[[Category:Living_People]]

[[Category:Liberal_Party_of_Australia_politicians]]

==References==

[[Category:Victorian_state_politicians]]

{{reflist}}

[[Category:University_of_Melbourne_alumni]]

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|au-vic-la}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Jim Ramsay]]}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Balwyn|Balwyn]] | years=1988–1992}}

{{s-non|reason=Seat abolished}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Margaret Ray (Australian politician)|Margaret Ray]]}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Box Hill|Box Hill]]|years=1992–2018}}

{{s-aft|after=[[Paul Hamer]]}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Rob Hulls]]}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Attorney-General of Victoria]]|years=2010–2014}}

{{s-aft|after=[[Martin Pakula]]}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Robert}}

[[Category:1957 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:Attorneys-general of Victoria]]

[[Category:Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly]]

[[Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Victoria]]

[[Category:Melbourne Law School alumni]]

[[Category:Politicians from Melbourne]]

[[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]

[[Category:People educated at University High School, Melbourne]]

[[Category:Ministers for finance (Victoria)]]

[[Category:Ministers for water (Victoria)]]

[[Category:Ministers for industrial relations (Victoria)]]

[[Category:Ministers of mines (Victoria)]]