Peter Reith | |
|---|---|
 Reith in 2001 | |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 30 January 2001 – 26 November 2001 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | John Moore |
| Succeeded by | Robert Hill |
| Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations | |
| In office 21 October 1998 – 30 January 2001 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | David Kemp |
| Succeeded by | Tony Abbott |
| Minister for Small Business | |
| In office 18 July 1997 – 30 January 2001 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Geoff Prosser |
| Succeeded by | Ian Macfarlane |
| Leader of the House | |
| In office 11 March 1996 – 8 October 2001 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Kim Beazley |
| Succeeded by | Tony Abbott |
| Minister for Industrial Relations | |
| In office 11 March 1996 – 18 July 1997 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Laurie Brereton |
| Succeeded by | Himself (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) |
| Manager of Opposition Business | |
| In office 31 January 1995 – 11 March 1996 | |
| Leader | John Howard |
| Preceded by | John Howard |
| Succeeded by | Simon Crean |
| Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Deputy Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 3 April 1990 – 13 March 1993 | |
| Leader | John Hewson |
| Preceded by | Fred Chaney |
| Succeeded by | Michael Wooldridge |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Flinders | |
| In office 1 December 1984 – 8 October 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Chynoweth |
| Succeeded by | Greg Hunt |
| In office 4 December 1982 – 5 March 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Phillip Lynch |
| Succeeded by | Bob Chynoweth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Peter Keaston Reith 15 July 1950 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 8 November 2022 (aged 72) Melbourne, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Alma mater | Monash University |
| Profession | Lawyer Politician |
Peter Keaston Reith AM (15 July 1950 – 8 November 2022) was an Australian politician who served in the House of Representatives from 1982 to 1983 and from 1984 to 2001, representing the Liberal Party. He was the party's deputy leader from 1990 to 1993, and served as a minister in the Howard government.
Reith was born in Melbourne and studied law at Monash University. He settled in Cowes, Victoria, and served on the Phillip Island Shire Council from 1976 to 1981 (including as shire president for a period). Reith was elected to parliament at the 1982 Flinders by-election. He lost his seat at the 1983 federal election, but won it back the following year. In 1990, Reith was elected deputy leader of the Liberal Party under John Hewson. He was replaced by Michael Wooldridge after the 1993 election. In the Howard government, Reith served as Minister for Industrial Relations (1996–1997), Minister for Small Business (1997–2001), Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations (1998–2001), and finally Minister for Defence from January 2001 until his retirement at the 2001 election. After leaving politics he worked as a company director and political commentator.