16 Facts About Martin Pakula

Martin Philip Pakula was born on 7 January 1969 and is an Australian former politician.

Martin Pakula has been a Labor Party member of the Parliament of Victoria from 2006 to 2022: in the Legislative Council for Western Metropolitan Region from 2006 to 2013, and then in the Legislative Assembly for Lyndhurst and Keysborough.

Martin Pakula served as Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Industry and Trade and Minister for Public Transport in the Brumby Ministry.

Martin Pakula was born in Melbourne in 1969, the son of immigrants from Poland who were deported during World War II to Uzbekistan.

Martin Pakula completed his Bachelor of Economics in 1989 and an Honours Degree in Law in 1991.

Martin Pakula went on to become State Secretary and National Vice President.

In 2005, Martin Pakula unsuccessfully challenged Simon Crean in the ALP preselection for the seat of Hotham.

Martin Pakula was then preselected for ALP's third spot for the Western Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council and was elected at the 2006 Victorian state election.

Martin Pakula resigned from the Legislative Council on 26 March 2013 to contest Lyndhurst and was successful in retaining the seat for Labor.

Martin Pakula continued to be a minister in a number of portfolios, with the racing portfolio being held the longest since 2014.

In June 2022, Martin Pakula announced he would retire at the November state election.

Martin Pakula stepped down from his ministerial roles on 27 June 2022.

In November 2022 Martin Pakula was appointed to the board of helloworld travel as a non-executive director.

Martin Pakula was currently serving in this role as of March 2024 In January 2023 Martin Pakula accepted a part-time role as an advisor to the Australian Football League.

In October 2023 Martin Pakula was appointed as the chair of the board of the Australian Grand Prix.

Martin Pakula is married with two children and is a supporter of the Carlton Football Club.