Robert Ian "Rob" Knowles (born 4 July 1947) is a former Australian politician. He was born in

Ballarat Ballarat ( ) () is a city in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 census, Ballarat had a population of 111,973, making it the third-largest urban inland city in Australia and the third-largest city in Victoria. Within mo ...

to farmer Robert Joseph Knowles and Dulce, ''née'' Odgers. After graduating from Ballarat North Technical School, he became a farmer in Clarendon from 1964. From 1972 to 1976 he worked as a loans officer with the Rural Finance and Settlement Commission. He was a member of the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...

, serving as chairman of the

Federal Electorate Council from 1972 to 1976, a state executive with the Young Liberals, and a member of the state executive from 1973 to 1976. In 1976, Knowles was elected to the

Victorian Legislative Council The Victorian Legislative Council is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Victoria, Australia, the lower house being the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Legislative Assembly. Both houses sit at Parliament House, Melbourne, Parliament ...

as a member for

Ballarat Province Ballarat Province was an electorate of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1937 until 2006, located around Ballarat Ballarat ( ) () is a city in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 census, Ballarat had a popula ...

. He served on various committees until his elevation to the front bench as Shadow Minister for the Aged and for Housing in 1991. When the

Coalition A coalition is formed when two or more people or groups temporarily work together to achieve a common goal. The term is most frequently used to denote a formation of power in political, military, or economic spaces. Formation According to ''A G ...

won office in 1992 he became Minister for

Housing Housing refers to a property containing one or more Shelter (building), shelter as a living space. Housing spaces are inhabited either by individuals or a collective group of people. Housing is also referred to as a human need and right to ...

and for Aged Care, exchanging the Housing portfolio for Health in 1996. In 1999 he resigned his seat to contest the lower house seat of Gisborne, but he was defeated.

References

1947 births Living people Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Victoria Members of the Victorian Legislative Council Ministers for health (Victoria) Ministers for ageing (Victoria) {{Australia-Liberal-politician-stub