Ivan Petch
Ivan Petch | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1, 1939 Concord, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, electrical engineering consultant, musician, managing director, licensed electrical contractor |
| Years active | 1977–2014 |
| Known for | Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Gladesville (1988–1995); Mayor of Ryde City Council (2012–2013) |
Ivan John Petch (born 1 March 1939) is a retired Australian politician. He served as the representative for the Gladesville seat in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly under the banner of the Liberal Party from 1988 until 1995. Additionally, Petch held a position as a Councillor on the Ryde City Council, including a tenure as Mayor from 2012 to 2013.
Background and early career
Petch was born in Concord, New South Wales. His education included attendance at Putney Primary School and Fort Street Boys High School, followed by studies in electrical engineering and music at Sydney Technical College. Professionally, he worked as a musician, an electrical engineering consultant, managing director of Independent Promotions Pty Ltd, and a licensed electrical contractor. He became a member of the Liberal Party in 1975.
Political career
Beginning his political journey, Petch was elected to Ryde Municipal Council in 1977. From 1980 to 1987, he also served on Sydney County Council, where he held the chairmanship in both 1984 and 1985. Between 1984 and 1987, he was part of the executive committee of the Local Government Association. On a community level, Petch led the Ryde "Red Cross Calling" Appeal from 1978 to 1984, presided over the Ryde Lions Club between 1985 and 1986, and was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellow award by the North Ryde Rotary Club. Furthermore, he was designated a Knight of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem.
In the 1988 election, Petch secured the NSW Legislative Assembly seat for Gladesville representing the Liberal Party and maintained this position until his defeat in 1995 by Labor candidate John Watkins, who later became Deputy Premier. Following the abolition of Gladesville in 1999 and its replacement by Ryde, Petch contested the Ryde seat as an independent candidate during both the 1999 and 2007 state elections but was unsuccessful against Watkins.
Corruption
On 30 June 2014, the Independent Commission Against Corruption determined that Petch engaged in corrupt conduct during his mayoral term in 2012/13. He disputed these conclusions, initiated legal proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court, and described the allegations as "beggars belief" after his 37 years in public service. However, on 28 November 2014, his appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court of New South Wales, leading to his resignation from Ryde City Council effective 1 December 2014.
In October 2018, a jury convicted Petch of "making an unwarranted demand with menaces," based on evidence that he suggested the council’s acting general manager risked losing her permanent role unless she supported his financial interests. Although he avoided imprisonment, he received a two-year corrections order with supervision. NSW District Court Judge Nicole Noman remarked that his behaviour reflected "a sense of entitlement" and demonstrated readiness to exploit others for personal advantage.
In December 2019, Petch was sentenced to serve an 18-month prison term after being found guilty of providing false testimony during hearings before the Independent Commission Against Corruption in 2013.