Henry Palaszczuk

The Hon Henry Palaszczuk
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines and Minister Assisting the Premier on Water
In office 7 August 2006 – 13 September 2006
Premier	Peter Beattie
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Water
In office 2 February 2006 – 7 August 2006
Premier	Peter Beattie
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
In office 28 July 2005 – 2 February 2006
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Stephen Robertson
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
In office 12 February 2004 – 28 July 2005
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Trevor Perrett
Minister for Rural Communities
In office 16 December 1999 – 12 February 2004
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Terry Mackenroth
Minister for Primary Industries
In office 29 June 1998 – 12 February 2004
Premier	Peter Beattie
Preceded by	Marc Rowell
Succeeded by	Gordon Nuttall
Member of the Queensland Parliament for Inala
In office 19 September 1992 – 9 September 2006
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Annastacia Palaszczuk
Member of the Queensland Parliament for Archerfield
In office 19 May 1984 – 19 September 1992
Preceded by	Kevin Hooper
Succeeded by	Len Ardill
Personal details
Born	Heinrich Palaszczuk (1947-01-12) 12 January 1947 Germany
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Australian Labor Party

Heinrich "Henry" Palaszczuk /ˈpæləʃeɪ/ (born 12 January 1947) is a former Australian Labor Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, and minister of the Beattie Government of Queensland. He was elected as the member for Archerfield in 1984, and held that seat until his election as the member for Inala in 1992. Palaszczuk retired from politics in 2006, and was succeeded in his seat of Inala by his daughter Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has been the Premier of Queensland since 2015.

Early life and career

Palaszczuk was born in Germany to Polish parents. His family moved to Queensland when he was young. Prior to entering politics, he earned a Diploma of Education and became a school teacher. From 1980 to 1987, he was a secretary of the Inala Branch of the Labor Party, and served as the president of various electorate committees for state and federal government. Between 1985 and 1993, he worked as the campaign director on elections for the City of Brisbane and the federal electoral division of Rankin.

Member of parliament

As a member of parliament, Palaszczuk served on numerous committees, including the Estimates Committee and Standing Orders Committee. When the Goss Labor Government was re-elected in 1995, the Labor caucus nominated Palaszczuk for speaker, to replace the sitting Labor speaker Jim Fouras. Labor later voted for Fouras in parliament, however, due to fears that Fouras would be re-elected as speaker with the support of the Nationals and Liberals. Wanting to avoid the controversy of Fouras crossing the floor to elect himself as speaker, Labor decided to support him instead of Palaszczuk.

When the Beattie Labor Government was elected in 1998, Palaszczuk was appointed Minister for Primary Industries. In 1999, he was also appointed Minister for Rural Communities. Following the 2004 election, he was appointed Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries. When Terry Mackenroth resigned as Treasurer and Deputy Premier in 2005, he was appointed Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, and in 2006 he had Water added to his portfolio.

Personal life

Palaszczuk is married, and has four daughters. He lives in Brisbane.

References

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Kevin Hooper	Member for Archerfield 1984–1992	Succeeded by Len Ardill
New seat	Member for Inala 2001–2006	Succeeded by Annastacia Palaszczuk