Robert Ivan "Rob" Lucas (born 7 June 1953) is an Australian politician and a Liberal Party of Australia Member of the Opposition in the South Australian Legislative Council, and was re-elected in the 2006 election.
Before his entry in to politics, Lucas gained Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Economics degrees, as well as an MBA.
In office, Lucas has been a Minister for Education and Children's Services, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Government Enterprises, as well as Treasurer until the Liberal Party defeat in the 2002 election. After that time until April 2007, Lucas served as Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade and Police, and between 2005 and 2006 was also Shadow Minister for Economic Development and Science and Information Economy. Between 2002 and 2007 Lucas held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.
The appointment of Lucas, a member of the upper house Legislative Council, as Treasurer was a break in convention as previous Treasurers had been members of the lower house the House of Assembly. The precedence in appointing a member of the upper house as Treasurer was in New South Wales with the appointment of Michael Egan in 1995.
Famous quotes containing the words rob and/or lucas:
“... the structure of our public morality crashed to earth. Above its grave a tombstone read, “Be tolerant—even of evil.” Logically the next step would be to say to our commonwealth’s criminals, “I disagree that it’s all right to rob and murder, but naturally I respect your opinion.” Tolerance is only complacence when it makes no distinction between right and wrong.”
—Sarah Patton Boyle, U.S. civil rights activist and author. The Desegregated Heart, part 2, ch. 2 (1962)
“Use the Force, Luke. Let go, Luke. Luke, trust me.”
—George Lucas (b. 1944)