Ted Baillieu
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m thinking Ted Baillieu is the first Australian architect to make the career move to State Premier? Please let me know if I’m wrong and you can identify any predecessors around the country – or even any architects that have held senior cabinet posts. I expect a dearth, but would love to be surprised! I congratulate Ted, who remains an active Institute member, on the transition from architect, to company director, to member of Parliament, Opposition Leader and now Victorian Premier. It’s great to have a head of government with such a sound understanding of the value of architecture and design and the built environment – it bodes well for the future of the State I think. The Institute works in a bipartisan way with ministers and governments around the country – and we look forward to working with Ted over the coming years. While he focused during the election campaign on health, law and order, government expenditure and the longevity and the ability of the former Labor government to deliver, we’ll certainly be hoping to see the built environment on his agenda in the near future.
Now, if we could only have some architects sitting on the benches in NSW…