Quick Facts
Biography
Alan Peter Griffin (born 23 February 1960), a former Australian politician, was an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of Corinella between 1993 and March 1996, and the Division of Bruce, from March 1996 until May 2016.
Background and early career
Griffin was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and was educated at the Australian National University. He was a public servant, union organiser and electorate secretary before entering politics. Griffin was ministerial adviser to the Victorian Minister for Community Services, Kay Setches, 1990–91 and to Simon Crean, then a federal minister, 1991–93. He was a member of Springvale City Council 1991–93.
Political career
Griffin was first elected to Parliament at the 1993 federal election, unseating the Liberal incumbent in Corinella, Russell Broadbent. Corinella was abolished for the 1996 election, and Griffin followed most of his constituents into Bruce. That seat had been in Liberal hands since its creation in 1955. However, it had been significantly altered by the latest redistribution, which gave Labor a slim majority. Griffin defeated Liberal incumbent Julian Beale by only 1195 votes, making him one of the few bright spots in Labor's severe defeat that year.
Griffin was elected to the Opposition Shadow Ministry in October 1998. He was Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs and Shadow Minister Assisting the Shadow Minister for Health from 2003 to 2005. In June 2005 he was appointed Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Shadow Special Minister of State.
Following the 2007 federal election, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd appointed Griffin Minister for Veterans' Affairs in the ministry. On 1 April 2010, he gained the portfolio of Minister for Defence Personnel. He retained these portfolios in the First Gillard Ministry, but chose not to continue in the Second Gillard Ministry, which was sworn in on 14 September 2010.
On 10 February 2015 he announced he would not be contesting the next election, due in 2016. In March 2015 former City of Port Phillip Mayor Julian Hill was preselected unopposed to contest Bruce for the Labor Party.