About Mark
 Tasmania’s North West is an area close to Mark Baker’s heart, a fourth generation Tasmanian, Mark was born and raised in Devonport.
It is the culmination of his life experience that made Mark a dynamic representative of the area.
His most memorable achievements during this time include:
- Revolutionising Hospital services in the North West Coast including $45m injection of funds to the first Federally funded Hospital at the Mersey Community Hospital at Latrobe and another $16m to improve services on the North West Coast.
- Leading the Produce of Heaven Campaign for local agri producers to achieve real prices for their labour.
- Championing the Fairdinkum food campaign and fighting to secure the Australian Grown label and $4m for Vegivision 2020.
- Australian Technical College at Burnie.
- Rural Medical Clinical School at Burnie to train Doctors and Nurses for the region.
- $100m to our local roads including the Sisters Hills and Castra Road Off ramp projects.
- Saving of our local Forestry Industry.
- Cradle Coast Centre for Food Innovation at the Burnie Campus of UTAS.
- Emmerton Park Aged Care Facility at Smithton - funding of $2.5m.
- $7m for our local Public Schools infrastructure and $3.5m for our local Private Schools.
- $15m for local environmental, Tarkine and Water projects for the region.
Mark’s political career began in October 2004, when he was elected as the Liberal Member of the House of Representatives for the electorate of Braddon after receiving a 7.09 per cent swing – the strongest swing nationally to win a seat.
Prior to joining politics, Mark pursued a highly successful career in commerce. He worked in Australia, while speaking in America and Canada in the field of business and financial management. An area he excelled in, he became for a leader in funds under management for the Hillross Financial Management Group, and his success lead him to achieve many national awards.
Mark’s business acumen lead him to be an active contributor to Liberal party policies from 2004-2007, sitting on many committees including: Treasury, Finance and Public Administration; Financial Services and Regulation Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation Employment, Workplace Relations and Workplace Participation; Health and Ageing; Trade and Foreign Affairs and finally; Committee on Publications and Chairman of the Backbench Committee for Renewable Energy.
Educated at Reece High School, Mark then began an apprenticeship as a carpenter / joiner in Devonport. After completing his apprenticeship, he successfully studied for a Bachelor of Education and later taught a range of subjects, including Mathematics, Physical Education, Materials, Design and Technology, at Reece High School in Devonport, Parklands and Burnie High Schools in Burnie. Mark is in his final stages of a Commerce and Law Degree which he will be continuing in 2008.
Marks political career was sparked by a life-changing accident which later inspired him to take an active interest in health and road safety issues. Through his experiences as a road safety advocate and as a lobbyist in the fight to save public hospital services under threat of withdrawal, Mark decided to enter politics.
The youngest of four children and the only son, Mark’s parents were fourth generation farmers in the North-West, his father served as a Squadron Leader with the Royal Australian Air Force during World War 2.
Mark was also a successful footballer, captaining the Devonport football Club and playing with North Launceston football club. He played 230 seniors games, including representing Tasmania in 1986. Mark also played in the Devonport Football Club premierships in 1981 (NWFU) and in the 1988 Tasmania State-Wide League.
The 2007 Federal election saw another change for Mark, whilst winning the primary vote the final result was a loss of the seat by 2.57%. 2008 will see Mark re-enter the commercial world, whilst continuing his community passions of health, showcasing local industry and youth at risk fund raising, which are all part of his vision of “Investability” for the region.
|
