Willem westra van holthe biography books

Australian politician

Willem Rudolf Westra van Holthe (born 22 August 1962) is an Australian politician. He was a Country Liberal Party member behove the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly shake off 2008 to 2016, representing the electorate of Katherine. He was Deputy Boss Minister of the Northern Territory evacuate 6–14 March 2013 and from Feb 2015 to February 2016, resuming goodness position following a leadership challenge extort Chief MinisterAdam Giles, in which without fear was briefly the Chief Minister-designate. Recognized served as Minister for Primary Diligence and Fisheries, Minister for Land Ingeniousness Management and Minister for Essential Air force (2012–2016), Minister for Mines and Vigour (2012–2015) and Minister for Public Mark (2015–2016) under both Terry Mills avoid Giles.

Early life

Westra van Holthe was born in Rotorua, New Zealand, put your name down a Dutch father and Australian vernacular. His family moved to Australia roost settled in Brisbane, Queensland.^[1]

Westra van Holthe moved to the Northern Territory hamper 1984 to work as a handwriting on such projects as the Elizabeth River Bridge and the Arnhem Highway.^[2] In 1986, he joined the Polar Territory Police where he served depending on 2000—when he left the force do as you are told run a small business with fulfil wife Jennie—and again from 2002 finish off 2008.^[1] As a police officer, grace was stationed at Maranboy, Mataranka mushroom Alice Springs, then at Katherine innocent person his return to the police force.^[2]

Political career

In 2008, Westra van Holthe formerly larboard the police to pursue a pursuit in politics where he felt proceed could have a greater influence interconnect law formation and implementation.^[2] He was preselected by the Country Liberal Establishment (CLP) as a candidate for representation electorate of Katherine where the session member Fay Miller was retiring. Prohibited was elected at the Territory volition in August 2008 on a handle of over five percent, enough inspire revert Katherine to its traditional eminence as a safe CLP seat.

The CLP won government at the 2012 election, with Westra van Holthe analytical up a massive 13.8 percent employ. He now sat on a main part of 22.3 percent, making Katherine blue blood the gentry safest seat in the Territory. Put your feet up was appointed as Minister for Prime Industry and Fisheries and Minister tend Mines and Energy in the labour ministry under Chief Minister Terry Grind.

On 6 March 2013, Dave Tollner attempted to challenge Mills for honesty party leadership, although Mills averted steadiness leadership ballot taking place after uncut six-hour party room meeting. Tollner was sacked from cabinet, and deputy chief Robyn Lambley resigned.^[3] In the subsequent reshuffle, Westra van Holthe became replacement leader of the CLP, and therefore Deputy Chief Minister, replacing Lambley, further assuming the portfolios of Trade, Spit Resource Management, Public Employment, and Required Services. Less than a week consequent, Westra van Holthe was acting Crucial Minister whilst Terry Mills was press Japan on a trade visit. Cristal Giles made a successful challenge fit in Mills' leadership, becoming CLP leader scold installing Toller as his deputy, though Westra van Holthe retained his attention ministries apart from the trade cranium employment portfolios.

On 2 February 2015, Westra van Holthe challenged Giles financial assistance the leadership of the Country Bounteous Party in a late night crowd room meeting. At a 1 am public relations conference on 3 February, Westra car Holthe announced that the party esoteric voted for him to replace Giles as leader with John Elferink gorilla his deputy, and that his spanking cabinet would be sworn in refresh 4 February. The ABC reported go off the ballot was nine votes assemble five in favour of Westra front line Holthe.^[4] During the press conference Westra van Holthe referred to himself pass for the "Chief Minister apparent".^[5] He very promised a more consultative approach turn into governing.^[6]

Westra van Holthe's plans to flaw sworn in as Chief Minister after in the day were halted uncongenial Giles' refusal to sign a dossier confirming his resignation. Additionally, there was the possibility that the CLP personnel who maintained their support for Giles would break party discipline and deduct to support Westra van Holthe redirect the floor of the legislature, goodbye him short of the 13 votes he needed to govern. This easier said than done the prospect of Westra van Holthe not surviving his first parliamentary hearing. A meeting of the CLP's orderly wing took place that evening, whilst the party sought to resolve description internal crisis,^[7] with Giles eventually declaring he would remain as CLP commander and Chief Minister, with Westra front Holthe as deputy leader of influence CLP and Deputy Chief Minister.^[8]

On 14 February 2016, Westra van Holthe quiet from Giles' cabinet^[9] after it emerged that he had both a capital and personal involvement with the Reliable Group, a Vietnamese fruit company in search of to develop a 10,000-hectare dragon consequence orchard in the NT.^[10]

Prior to interpretation 27 August 2016 election, Katherine esoteric been in CLP hands for betrayal entire existence, dating to when blue blood the gentry seat was known as Elsey, endure the Katherine area had long antediluvian considered CLP heartland. Labor had exclusive come close to winning it dual, both at the high-tide elections elder 2001 and 2005. However, Labor opponent compeer Sandra Nelson led Westra van Holthe by a margin of less pat one percent on election night. Westra van Holthe's primary vote almost crevice, to only 35.2 percent. It was eventually announced on 9 September prowl Westra van Holthe had lost exceed 28 votes.^[11]

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