Retiring MP takes academic role at university. Call me Professor

Hamish Heard
RETIRING Lara MP Peter Loney will take on a plum role as adjunct professor at Latrobe University when he leaves parliament after the November state election.
Mr Loney will share his experiences as Deputy Speaker in the Victorian Parliament with students at the university’s Faculty of Law and Management.
He will also become Latrobe University’s Public Sector Governance and Accountability Research Centre executive director.
Faculty dean, Professor Raymond Harbridge welcomed Mr Loney’s appointment.
“The Faculty of Law and Management already has strong ties with government and business in this community,” Professor Harbridge said.
The faculty’s other adjunct professors include Mike Moore, a former director general of the World Trade Organisation.
“Mr Loney’s experience in parliamentary accountability through his work as chair of the Victorian Public Accounts and Estimates Committee will strengthen those relationships,” he said.
The Public Sector Governance and Accountability Research Centre is involved with minimising mismanagement and corruption in democratic governments.
Mr Loney was involved in founding the centre and has chaired its advisory board since 2004.
“His experiences as deputy speaker will enable him to give valuable insights into the work of the centre,” Prof Harbridge said.
Mr Loney said he was honoured by the appointment to the centre which he described as “unique in the world”.
“It aims to improve the quality of accountability and governance within the public sector and the capacity of elected representatives to carry out their role of scrutinising the actions of executive government,” he said.
“Throughout our region and globally there is a growing emphasis on governance and accountability as mechanisms for ensuring good government and combatting corruption, so it is exciting to be part of this Latrobe University initiative.”
Mr Loney announced earlier this year he would retire from parliament at the November election.
His departure made way for right-wing faction member Geelong Province MP John Eren to launch a move to the safe lower house Lara seat amid a reshuffle of Labor MPs after a reform to the upper house.