Member for Malvern
Michael was first elected to the Parliament of Victoria as the Member for Malvern in 2006, following a career as an industrial relations lawyer, senior adviser to former Federal Treasurer Peter Costello and commercial barrister at the Victorian Bar.
He was re-elected in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Read Michael’s maiden parliamentary speech.
As Member for Malvern, Michael has secured:
- Significant funding boost of more than $6.5 million for essential upgrades to local state schools
- Full funding for the removal of the Burke Road level crossing in GlenIris, now completed
- Funding of more than $1.7 million to upgrade local sporting facilities and community sporting clubs: new pavilions, new lights, new scoreboards, better surfaces
- Increased investment in local community emergency services, including the deployment of Protective Services Officers at all local train stations, the upgrade of Malvern Police station and vehicle replacements for the Malvern Unit of the State Emergency Service
- Funding for new noise walls for residents abutting Dandenong Road
Michael is a keen supporter of local community organisations in the Malvern electorate including the Save A Dog Scheme, the Rotary Club of Malvern (where he is an honorary member), East Malvern RSL, and junior sporting clubs.
Shadow Attorney-General
In February 2022, Michael accepted the position of Shadow
Attorney-General on the Victorian Liberal Nationals’ front bench.
The Attorney-General is Victoria’s First
Law Officer. The primary responsibility of this role is to protect the rule of
law, the administration of justice and the integrity of the courts and
tribunals.
As a former barrister, Michael is committed to the rule of law in this state. He passionately believes that every Victorian should be equal under the law – regardless of background, status or indeed political affiliation or influence.
Michael is determined to ensure that Victoria has more than a legal system; we need a justice system.
Ministerial and Parliamentary Service
Following his initial election in 2006 Michael was immediately promoted to the shadow ministry, developing the Liberal Party’s policies across five portfolios ahead of the 2010 Victorian election, helping the Victorian Liberal Nationals secure victory.
Under Premier Ted Baillieu, Michael served as Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Gaming and Minister for Consumer Affairs.
Following Denis Napthine’s appointment as Premier, Michael became Treasurer of Victoria.
In his two budgets Michael delivered budget surpluses and a stable AAA credit rating while cutting payroll tax, WorkCover premiums, reforming the Fire Services Levy and abolishing stamp duty on life insurance. This was done while providing record investment in health, education, police and public transport.
During the Liberal Nationals’ term in office, Victoria created more jobs than any other state in the nation.
Leader of the Opposition
After the Liberal Party’s election loss in 2018, Michael was elected by his colleagues as Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition. Michael also assumed the Small Business portfolio; a sector close to his heart.
Michael served in these roles until September 2021.
As Liberal Leader, Michael engaged directly with Victorians through a series of listening tours across the state and reformed the Coalition’s policy making process.
Under Michael’s leadership the Liberal Nationals announced a number of important policy initiatives to help secure Victoria’s future and to provide us with a positive plan to recover from the damage done by COVID and the lengthy lockdowns which ensued.
These policy initiatives include:
- Zero to Landfill – a plan to eliminate household waste going to landfill and produce new low-emission energy through Energy from Waste technology
- Local Business Action Plan – a comprehensive plan to back small business by taking Victoria’s payroll tax from the worst in the country to the best, provide $1500 fee credits and freeze local government charges on small business
- Reversing Labor tax increases including the latest stamp duty increase on the family home
- A comprehensive plan to shepherd Victoria’s economy through COVID, rebuild our sovereign manufacturing capability and get Victoria Back To Work and Back In Business
- Ending Labor’s secret Belt and Road deals with the Chinese Government to ensure that our arrangements always put Victoria’s interests first
- Upgrading Victoria’s electricity transmission capacity to assist the transition to renewable energy, improve energy security and reduce pressure on prices
- Establish a Royal Commission into Victoria’s COVID-19 response to ensure that the truth is revealed, that lessons are learned from the mistakes that were made and that Victoria will be much better prepared for any future pandemic.
Personal
Michael O’Brien was born in Dublin, Ireland in August 1971 and lives in his Malvern electorate with his wife and two children (as well as their two dogs, cat and rabbit).
He was educated at Marcellin College and the University of Melbourne, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce.
Michael undertook his articled clerkship at Molomby & Molomby (now Middletons), then – following admission as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia – practised as a lawyer at Deacons Graham & James (now Norton Rose).
Michael then worked as Senior Legal Adviser to then-Federal Treasurer Peter Costello for 5 years before signing the Roll of Counsel and establishing a practice at the Victorian Bar as a barrister.
He follows the Carlton Football Club and is a very keen golfer
