Biography
THE HON DAVID TEMPLEMAN MLA
Minister for the Environment; Climate Change; Peel
Member for Mandurah
David was born in Northam, Western Australia and lived there for the first 17 years of his life.
He later moved to Perth where he studied at Claremont Teachers College, graduating with a distinction three years later.
In 1994 David was elected to the Mandurah City Council. David was re-elected in 1997 and was Deputy Mayor until his election to State Parliament in February 2001. David was re-elected for his second term as Member for Mandurah in February 2005.
During his first term of Parliament David's Parliamentary duties included Acting Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Chairman of the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee.
At the beginning of his second term, David was appointed Government Whip for the Legislative Assembly and served as a Committee Member of the Economics and Industry Committee.
On 3rd February 2006, David was sworn in as Minister for Community Development; Seniors and Volunteering; Youth and Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. He would later become Minister for Child Protection; Communities; Seniors & Volunteering; and Peel.
During this time David ushered in a new era of child protection in Western Australia by commissioning the Ford review of the then Department of Community Development.
On 2 March 2007, David became Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and the Peel Region.
Since taking on this important portfolio, David has ensured significant funding boosts to ensure the Department of Environment and Conservation is able to do the job the community expects.
David is interested in the arts, youth issues and education and in creating stronger and more sustainable communities. He is particularly passionate about preserving our unique environment for future generations and in encouraging practical and innovative strategies to tackle climate change.
He is also interested in creating opportunities for those people in our community who, for whatever reason, find themselves marginalised or isolated. David is also an extremely proud advocate for Mandurah and greater Peel region and is working tirelessly to ensure these important areas continue to thrive.
David is especially proud to be part of a Government that has led the way in confronting climate change and whose focus on the environment and the needs of our regions has seen the advent of the Southern Suburbs rail line and the commencement of work on the Perth to Bunbury Highway.
David lives in his electorate of Mandurah with his partner Donna and their son.