The Hon. Peter Walsh MP

As Minister for Water, Mr Walsh is driving change to deliver better water services, improved local environments and increased liveability in Melbourne and Victoria’s regional cities.

The Government is implementing programs to make better use of all water resources, including rainwater, stormwater and recycled water.

This approach will deliver healthier urban waterways, greener open spaces, reduced urban heat island effect, future water security, and less reliance on rural water.

His portfolio includes responsibility for:

• urban water
• irrigation water
• groundwater
• water corporations and governance
• allocation and trading
• permanent water saving rules and water restrictions.

Mr Walsh, Member for Swan Hill and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, was appointed Minister for Water and Minister for Agriculture and Food Security in December 2010.

He was elected to State Parliament in 2002, re-elected in November 2006 and again in November 2010.

He has occupied several Parliamentary Party positions including Spokesperson for Agriculture, Spokesperson for Water, Environment and Climate Change, and Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources.

He also is a member of Parliament’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Before entering Parliament, Mr Walsh operated a large irrigation and agricultural property at Boort. He has been a board member and President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (1998–2002), a director of a leading fruit and vegetable processing company, and a Member of the Institute of Company Directors.

He was awarded a Centenary Medal for services to the environment in 2003.