Hon Martin Dixon MP

Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy

Martin Dixon’s announcement today of his retirement at the next state election closes the chapter on a career of dedicated service to Victoria and his local community on the Mornington Peninsula.

Following a successful career as a school teacher and principal, Martin was elected to Parliament in 1996 in the seat of Dromana, and in 2002 following redistribution, he became the first Member for Nepean.

During this period, Martin Dixon served in the shadow ministerial portfolios of Tourism, Community Services, Education and Training, Education Services, Employment, Innovation, Victorian Communities, Veterans Affairs, and Education.

With the election of the Baillieu Government in December 2010, Martin was appointed to the critical portfolio of Minister for Education. He served in this portfolio throughout the term of the Coalition Government until November 2014, bringing his almost 20 years of experience in the education sector to the position.

In his time as Minister for Education, Martin Dixon delivered record funding, targeted programs and resources to ensure that Victorian children gain the right skills and knowledge to succeed at school and in the future.

Martin worked tirelessly to ensure that Victorian children in rural and regional communities were not left behind their metropolitan peers. As Minister, he launched a five-year strategy called the Regional Education Plan to improve learning and development for all students, regardless of where they live.

Martin has been an outstanding mentor and a friend to me and many of my colleagues.

We’ll miss his calm and reasoned nature and miss his straight forward approach.

This year has been a difficult personal one for Martin, so I wish him and his children Marty and Julia a wonderful, well deserved post political future as a family.

Media:  Jemma Townson 0438 534 111              jemma.townson@opposition.vic.gov.au