Leader of the Liberal Party
Leader of the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition
Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister for the Arts
Ted Baillieu was first elected as the Member for Hawthorn in 1999 and re-elected in 2002 and 2006.
Ted was educated at Melbourne Grammar School and went on to complete a Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Melbourne. In 1979, he became a registered architect in Victoria. Ted has also completed a Certificate of Business Studies (Real Estate) from RMIT.
Starting work as a Project Architect, Ted spent six years gaining experience and further developing his skills in architecture before branching out on his own by starting his own business. Ted’s involvement as both an Architect and Partner with Mayne & Baillieu Architects coincided with his directorship of Knight Frank Holdings – one of the state’s leading commercial real estate companies.
Between 1992 and 1997, Ted served as the President of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party. Prior to entering Parliament, Ted was a Board Member of Tourism Victoria and a Trustee of the Melbourne Convention Centre Trust.
Ted’s community involvement is extensive and varied – from sporting clubs to arts festivals, Ted has generously volunteered his time for all. Just some of the community organisations Ted has been and is involved with include the Friends of Auburn Tower, the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Camberwell RSL, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and the Hawthorn Rowing Club.
Upon entering Parliament, Ted was immediately elevated to a frontbench position as the Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training. He added the Gaming portfolio to his responsibilities in 2001 and in September of that year Ted was appointed as Shadow Planning Minister – a position he held until 2006.
In May 2006, Ted Baillieu was elected unopposed as the Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition. He led the Liberal Party to the 2006 state election, picking up six seats and gaining a swing away from Labor for the first time since 1992. In February 2008, Ted took on the Arts portfolio following the signing of the Coalition agreement with the National Party.
Ted is married with three children and lives in Hawthorn.