Heinrich Palaszczuk (/ˈpæləʃ/, Polish: [pa'waʂt͡ʂuk]; born 12 January 1947) is a former Labor member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, and minister of the Beattie Government of Queensland. He was elected as the member for Archerfield in 1984, and held that seat until his election as the member for Inala in 1992. Palaszczuk retired from politics in 2006,[1] and was succeeded in his seat of Inala by his daughter Annastacia Palaszczuk, who was the Premier of Queensland from 2015 until her resignation in December 2023.

Henry Palaszczuk
Minister for Water
In office
2 February 2006 – 13 September 2006
PremierPeter Beattie
Preceded byOffice created
Succeeded byKerry Shine
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
In office
28 July 2005 – 13 September 2006
PremierPeter Beattie
Preceded byStephen Robertson
Succeeded byKerry Shine (Natural Resources)
Geoff Wilson (Mines)
Minister for Fisheries
In office
12 February 2004 – 28 July 2005
PremierPeter Beattie
Preceded byTrevor Perrett
Succeeded byGordon Nuttall
Minister for Rural Communities
In office
16 December 1999 – 12 February 2004
PremierPeter Beattie
Preceded byTerry Mackenroth
Succeeded byWarren Pitt
Minister for Primary Industries
In office
29 June 1998 – 28 July 2005
PremierPeter Beattie
Preceded byMarc Rowell
Succeeded byGordon Nuttall
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
In office
7 October 1997 – 29 June 1998
LeaderPeter Beattie
Preceded byRobert Schwarten
Succeeded byRussell Cooper
Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs
In office
27 February 1996 – 7 October 1997
LeaderPeter Beattie
Preceded byHoward Hobbs
Succeeded byRobert Schwarten
Member of the Queensland Parliament
for Inala
In office
19 September 1992 – 9 September 2006
Preceded byNew seat
Succeeded byAnnastacia Palaszczuk
Member of the Queensland Parliament
for Archerfield
In office
19 May 1984 – 19 September 1992
Preceded byKevin Hooper
Succeeded byLen Ardill
Personal details
Born
Heinrich Palaszczuk

(1947-01-12) 12 January 1947 (age 77)
Germany
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLabor
Children4 (Including Annastacia)
Parent(s)Hipolit Palaszczuk and Ludwika (nee Boba)
EducationKelvin Grove Teachers College
Alma materQueensland University

Early life and career

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Palaszczuk was born in Germany to Polish parents.[2] His family moved to Queensland when he was young. [citation needed] Prior to entering politics, he earned a Diploma of Education [citation needed] and became a school teacher.[1] From 1980 to 1987, he was a secretary of the Inala Branch of the Labor Party, and served as the president of various electorate committees for state and federal government. Between 1985 and 1993, he worked as the campaign director on elections for the City of Brisbane and the federal electoral division of Rankin.

Member of parliament

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As a member of parliament, Palaszczuk served on numerous committees, including the Estimates Committee and Standing Orders Committee, as well as being a Deputy Government Whip between 1990 and 1992.[1]

When the Goss Labor Government was re-elected in 1995, the Labor caucus nominated Palaszczuk for speaker, to replace the sitting Labor speaker Jim Fouras. Labor later voted for Fouras in parliament, however, due to fears that Fouras would be re-elected as speaker with the support of the Nationals and Liberals. Wanting to avoid the controversy of Fouras crossing the floor to elect himself as speaker, Labor decided to support him instead of Palaszczuk.[3]

Shadow Cabinet

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After the fall of the Goss Government in February 1996, Palaszczuk joined the Opposition front bench as Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs, later moving to Primary Industries.

Beattie Government Minister

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Palaszczuk (top row, third from left) with fellow members of the Beattie Ministry in June 1998

When the Beattie Labor Government was elected in 1998, Palaszczuk was appointed Minister for Primary Industries. In 1999, he was also appointed Minister for Rural Communities. Following the 2004 election, he was appointed Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries. When Terry Mackenroth resigned as Treasurer and Deputy Premier in 2005, he was appointed Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, and in 2006 he had Water added to his portfolio.

He continued in cabinet until he retired at the 2006 election.

Personal life

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Palaszczuk is married, and has four daughters,[1] including former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who represented the same seat he did, Inala. He lives in Brisbane.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Member Biography of Henry Palaszczuk". Parliament of Queensland. Archived from the original on 31 January 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Palaszczuk, Mr Heinrich (Henry)". Former Members Register. Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  3. ^ "First Session of the 48th Parliament of Queensland" (PDF). Parliament of Queensland. 5 September 1995. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Henry Palaszczuk's Twitter account". Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Member for Archerfield
1984–1992
Succeeded by
New seat Member for Inala
1992–2006
Succeeded by