Peter McGauran
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox officeholder Peter John McGauran (born 16 November 1955)<ref>Template:Cite Au Parliament</ref> is an Australian former politician who served as a National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives. He represented the Division of Gippsland in Victoria from 5 March 1983 to 9 April 2008. He is the brother of former Senator Julian McGauran. He was born in Yallourn, Victoria, and was educated at Xavier College in Kew and the University of Melbourne. He was a barrister and solicitor before entering politics.
McGauran was an active member of the Young Nationals and was accorded the accolade of 'Mr YNP Pin-Up Boy' at the 1983 NSW Young Nationals State Ball held in Moree.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
McGauran was appointed Minister for Science and Technology in the Howard government in 1996, however, on 26 September 1997, he was forced to resign his position due to ministerial impropriety in relation to the "Travel Rorts" affair. He returned to the ministry in 1998, as Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation 1998–2001, Minister for Science 2001–2004, and Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs 2004–2005. In July 2005 he was promoted to Cabinet and became Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, a position he held until 3 December 2007, when the Howard Government was defeated by the Australian Labor Party under the leadership of Kevin Rudd at the 24 November election.
After the resignation of Nationals leader Mark Vaile, McGauran was expected to seek the leadership; however he dropped out of the race, stating that it was time for younger members to contribute to the party, and that he looked forward to using his experience to help them.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 4 April 2008, McGauran announced he would shortly be resigning from parliament, citing plans to pursue interests in the thoroughbred racing industry.<ref name="resign">Template:Cite news</ref> His resignation became effective on 9 April. He was succeeded by Darren Chester in the resulting June 2008 by-election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
After announcing his resignation, he revealed events that occurred in 1996, where he was physically assaulted by Alphonse Gangitano, an underworld figure who was later murdered.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In January 2018, McGauran was appointed by Trade Minister Steven Ciobo as the Consul-General of Australia in Houston, Texas.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
Racing career
From 2012 to 2016 McGauran served as CEO of Racing Australia.<ref name="Positions"/>
He has held various other positions in the racing industry such as at Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Aushorse Marketing, Racing NSW and Tabcorp.<ref name="Positions"/>
In August 2022, McGauran was elected chair of the Australian Turf Club (ATC).<ref name="Positions">Template:Cite web</ref>
In July 2025, McGauran resigned from the ATC board after a proposal to sell Rosehill Racecourse was voted against by the club's membership.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
References
External links
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- Living people
- Consuls for Australia
- Australian people of Irish descent
- National Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia
- Melbourne Law School alumni
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Gippsland
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives
- Members of the Cabinet of Australia
- People educated at Xavier College
- People from Yallourn
- Australian MPs 1983–1984
- Australian MPs 1984–1987
- Australian MPs 1987–1990
- Australian MPs 1990–1993
- Australian MPs 1993–1996
- Australian MPs 1996–1998
- Australian MPs 1998–2001
- Australian MPs 2001–2004
- Australian MPs 2004–2007
- Australian MPs 2007–2010
- 1955 births