Eric Abetz
Eric Abetz | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 25, 1958 Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, lawyer |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Known for | Senator for Tasmania (1994–2022); Minister for Employment; Leader of the Government in the Senate; Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly (2024–present) |
Eric Abetz (born 25 January 1958) is an Australian politician who represented Tasmania as a Senator from 1994 until 2022, affiliated with the Liberal Party. Beginning in March 2024, he has served as a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for the Franklin electorate.
During the Abbott government from 2013 to 2015, Abetz held the positions of Minister for Employment and Leader of the Government in the Senate. Earlier, he was appointed Special Minister of State under the Howard government between 2001 and 2006, and served as Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation from 2006 until 2007.
Originally from Germany, Abetz relocated to Australia as a child when his father took up employment with Tasmania's Hydro Electric Commission. He completed his education at the University of Tasmania and practiced law as a barrister and solicitor prior to entering politics. He also held leadership roles including national president of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation and state president of the Tasmanian Liberals between 1990 and 1994.
Personal life & education
Abetz, the youngest among six siblings, moved with his family from Germany to Australia in 1961. His father, Walter Abetz, was a radio technician who had lost a leg during combat on the Russian Front in WWII and subsequently joined Tasmania's Hydro Electric Commission, which actively recruited skilled German workers.
Eric Abetz's family history includes his great uncle Otto Abetz, who was an SS officer and served as German ambassador to Vichy France before being convicted as a war criminal. His grandfather, Karl Abetz—a forestry science professor and Nazi Party member since 1933—acted as general consultant for the Reich Forestry Office starting in 1942.
In 1991, Abetz married Michelle Oates; together they had three children before her passing from cancer in 2019. A practicing Christian, he is also related to Peter Abetz, his brother, who represented Southern River in Western Australia's Legislative Assembly for the Liberal Party from 2008 to 2017.
He graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1981 with degrees in law and arts. During his university years, he presided over the University Liberal Club and was notably the first Tasmanian to serve as national president of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation (1980–1981), during which time he engaged in political debates with future Labor senators Nick Sherry and Sue Mackay.
Early political career (1993–2007)
Abetz sought preselection as a Senate candidate in both the 1984 and 1993 elections, though he was unsuccessful in securing a seat initially. He entered Parliament by filling a casual vacancy following Brian Archer’s resignation in 1994 and was later elected outright in the 1998 election, winning re-election in 2004, 2010, and 2016. Between 1998 and 2001, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence before being appointed Special Minister of State from January 2001 until 2006.
He led several committees including those on Native Title and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund, Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, as well as chairing the Attorney-General and Justice Government Members’ Committee.
Abetz took part in parliamentary delegations to France and Belgium in 1997 and participated in an official visit to the United Kingdom in 1999.
In a reshuffle of the Howard ministry in January 2006, Abetz was named Minister for Forestry—a position he maintained until the government's defeat at the 2007 election. Early during this tenure, he openly criticized environmental groups such as the Australian Greens, describing anti-woodchipping activism as "akin to treason" and labeling the Greens an "extreme left" faction. His approach framed forestry policies as mainstream bipartisan concerns within government priorities.
Abetz is associated with the Liberal Party's National Right faction.
2009 OzCar affair
In 2009, Abetz played a prominent role in the OzCar affair, which revolved around incorrect allegations that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Wayne Swan showed favoritism toward car dealer John Grant, a personal acquaintance of Rudd. During a Senate inquiry held on 19 June, Abetz interrogated Treasury official Godwin Grech, who claimed to have received an email from Rudd's staff requesting special treatment for Grant. Abetz displayed the alleged email content. However, on 4 August 2009, Grech confessed to fabricating the email. Following this revelation, Abetz issued an apology to Malcolm Turnbull, the Australian public, and those affected, including Kevin Rudd.
Eligibility to hold Senate office
On 30 July 2010, John Hawkins, a Tasmanian resident, contested Abetz's nomination for re-election by asserting that Abetz held dual citizenship with Germany and Australia, potentially breaching Section 44 of the Constitution of Australia. Hawkins subsequently withdrew his petition submitted to the High Court of Australia.
Minister under the Abbott government
Abetz was appointed Minister for Employment in September 2013 within the Abbott administration. His responsibilities included steering legislation to reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission, creating a Registered Organisations Commission following the Craig Thomson scandal, and initiating the Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption alongside a review of the Fair Work Act. He was also instrumental in designing and executing reforms to the Government's employment services through Jobactive.
In August 2014, Abetz attracted criticism after asserting a connection between abortion and breast cancer during an appearance on The Project. This statement occurred while discussing his involvement with the World Congress of Families.
In May 2015, Abetz commended Joe de Bruyn, national president of the SDA, Australia's largest private-sector union, describing him as "a role model of trade union officialdom." De Bruyn was recognized for his strong relationships with major retailers such as Coles and Woolworths, as well as his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Dropped from ministry
With the establishment of the First Turnbull Ministry, Abetz was removed from ministerial duties and replaced by George Brandis as Leader of the Government in the Senate. Reflecting on his short period serving as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's representative in the Senate, Abetz remarked, "The King is dead, long live the King," alluding to the leadership transition.
A devout Christian associated with the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, Abetz has been connected to various conservative organizations including the Association of Christian Parent Controlled Schools, Salt Shakers, Focus on the Family, Lyons Forum, Endeavour Forum, Family Council of Victoria, Fatherhood Foundation, Australian Christian Lobby, Australian Family Association, and Right to Life Australia. In October 2015, he sparked controversy by referring to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a "negro American" during a radio broadcast.
In 2017, Abetz was among ten senators supporting a motion introduced by Cory Bernardi aimed at prohibiting abortion based on gender; this motion was defeated 10–36. He also publicly opposed same-sex marriage, being one of twelve senators voting against the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, which legalized same-sex marriage across Australia.
During November 2017 debates on the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (Facilitation) Bill, Abetz expressed strong support for expanding nuclear energy in Australia. He described nuclear power as "the very best source of energy production that science has to offer," emphasizing its cost-effectiveness, dependability, and zero-emission characteristics.
Allegations of "Slut-Shaming" in 2021
On 24 March 2021, just two days following the resignation of Tasmanian House of Assembly speaker Sue Hickey from the Liberal Party to become an independent, Hickey accused Abetz in the House of making remarks that constituted "slut-shaming" directed at Brittany Higgins, who was allegedly assaulted by a male parliamentary staff member. Hickey asserted that during a citizenship ceremony held in Hobart on 1 March, Abetz had made such comments to her. Additionally, she claimed Abetz dismissed concerns about a separate allegation involving federal Attorney-General Christian Porter, stating that "the woman is dead and the law will protect [Porter]." Abetz strongly "categorically denied" these accusations and accused Hickey of attempting to undermine the [Liberal] party. In response, Hickey maintained her position and criticized him for engaging in "grubby politics."
Later the same day, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein sent a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, indicating that Hickey had previously brought Abetz's remarks to his attention weeks before and urged Morrison to "consider the matters raised."
Loss at the 2022 Federal Election
Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Abetz was consistently placed at the top of the Liberal Party's Tasmanian Senate ticket, effectively securing his election. However, on 8 May 2021, he was relegated to the third position for the 2022 Australian federal election, significantly diminishing his chances of re-election. This shift contributed to his defeat in May 2022 when Jacqui Lambie Network candidate Tammy Tyrrell won Tasmania's sixth Senate seat ahead of him. Abetz’s term in the Senate concluded on 30 June 2022.
On 31 August 2022, the Australian Monarchist League appointed Abetz as Campaign Director for their Vote No Republic initiative.
State politics
On 7 January 2024, Abetz pursued Liberal Party endorsement to represent the Franklin electorate in the 2024 Tasmanian state election. Following the election on 23 March 2024, he secured a seat in the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Franklin and was appointed Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Minister for Transport, as well as leader of the House within the Rockliff Government.
Abetz successfully retained his seat during the 2025 Tasmanian state election and was appointed as the first-ever Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal.