Tim Whetstone
Timothy John Whetstone (born 5 March 1960) is an Australian politician representing the seat of Chaffey in the South Australian House of Assembly for the South Australian Liberal Party since the 2010 election. Whetstone served as the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development in the Marshall ministry from 22 March 2018. He resigned from cabinet on 26 July 2020 after a scandal over parliamentary allowances, which he was subsequently cleared of on 15 October 2020.
Tim Whetstone | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Whetstone in 2018 | |
| Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development | |
| In office 22 March 2018 – 26 July 2020 | |
| Premier | Steven Marshall |
| Preceded by |
|
| Succeeded by | David Basham |
| Member of the South Australian House of Assembly for Chaffey | |
| Assumed office 20 March 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Karlene Maywald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Timothy John Whetstone 5 March 1960 |
| Party | Liberal |
| Occupation | Irrigator |
| Signature |  |
Timothy John Whetstone (born 5 March 1960) is an Australian politician representing the seat of Chaffey in the South Australian House of Assembly for the South Australian Liberal Party since the 2010 election. Whetstone served as the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development in the Marshall ministry from 22 March 2018.[1][2] He resigned from cabinet on 26 July 2020 after a scandal over parliamentary allowances, which he was subsequently cleared of on 15 October 2020.[3][4]
Background and early career
[edit]Whetstone was born in the state's South East at Keith before completing his schooling in Adelaide. He finished a tool maker apprenticeship at General Motors Holden and later went on to develop his own small business building and restoring muscle cars and speedboats.[5][6]
Whestone was a project manager on the Moomba gas fields before moving to the Riverland in 1989 to purchase a citrus property and develop a vineyard on the River Murray.[5]
In the late 1990s, Whetstone was selected for the national team to represent Australia in the Bridge to Bridge ski race. The team won first place with a speed of 40 minutes.[6]
Political career
[edit]Whetstone contested the seat of Chaffey at the 2010 election for the Liberal Party, receiving a 20-point two-candidate swing from incumbent Nationals MP Karlene Maywald, to finish with 53.8 percent of the two-candidate vote.[7] The SA Nationals did not contest the 2014 election, which saw Whetstone win 75.1 percent of the two-party vote.[8]
Between June 2014 until the state election, Whetstone was the Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment, as well as being the Shadow Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing from 2014 to 2017.[5]
Following the 2018 election, Whetstone was appointed as Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.[9]
In July 2020, Whetstone admitted to wrongly claiming travel expenses on 90 occasions over six years, including several claims for accommodation in Adelaide at the same time as he was undertaking international or interstate travel, in what Premier Steven Marshall described as "extraordinarily disappointing" behaviour.[10] As a result, Whetstone resigned from the Marshall ministry on 26 July 2020.[11] Whetstone repaid approximately $7,000 attributed to diary-keeping errors, and on 15 October 2020 was cleared of further investigation. Then-South Australian Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ann Vanstone explained that "the information provided so far does not reveal evidence of misconduct" and, as a result, had "decided not to widen those inquiries to other Members of Parliament."[4]
Shortly after the 2022 election, which saw the SA Liberal Party returned to opposition, Whetstone was appointed Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, Road Safety, Corrections, and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.[12]
On 6 January 2023, Whetstone resigned as Shadow Minister for Road Safety after accumulating too many demerit points due to unspecified traffic offences, resulting in the loss of his license.[13] Shortly following the incident, then-Leader of the Opposition David Speirs appointed Whetstone as Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment, citing his experience and performance within the shadow ministry.[14]
Following Vincent Tarzia's appointment as Opposition Leader in August 2024, Whetstone was given responsibility over the Industry, Recreation and Racing, and Emergency Services portfolios.[15] He was also later appointed Shadow Minister for Social Services.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ MacLennan, Leah (22 March 2018). "SA election: Who's who in the new South Australian Liberal Government?". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "The South Australian Government Gazette, 22 March 2018, No. 20, Supplementary Gazette" (PDF). Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ Richardson, Tom (15 October 2020). "ICAC clears ex-ministers among nine country MPs". InDaily. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ a b Harmsen, Nick (15 October 2020). "Nine SA regional MPs, including two former ministers, cleared of misconduct over allowance claims". ABC News. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "Tim Whetstone MP". Steven Marshall | Premier of South Australia. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Maiden Speech". Tim Whetstone MP. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ Green, Antony. "Chaffey". 2010 SA election. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Green, Antony. "Chaffey". 2014 SA election. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Siebert, Bension (22 March 2018). "Marshall unveils new Cabinet". InDaily. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ "Ministers claimed expenses for staying in Adelaide but weren't actually there". ABC News. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020."Three South Australian ministers quit cabinet amid expenses scandal". The Guardian Australia. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "Three SA ministers resign from cabinet – Australian Associated Press". AAP. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ Richards, Stephanie (21 April 2022). "First-term MPs elevated to Libs' 'youthful' frontbench". InDaily.
- ^ "South Australian shadow road safety minister loses drivers licence, steps down from role". ABC News. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Holder, Sophie (31 January 2023). "SA opposition leader defends decision to appoint Tim Whetstone to shadow ministry". ABC News. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ Starick, Paul. "South Australian Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia reveals his shadow cabinet". The Advertiser. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ Karakulak, Helen (21 January 2025). "Leader reveals reshuffle following Liberal exits". InDaily. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
External links
[edit]- "Whetstone, Tim". Members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- Primary Industries and Regions SA