David Pisoni

David Gregory Pisoni (born 1963) is a South Australian politician. He has been a member of the South Australian House of Assembly since 2006, representing the electorate of Unley for the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia.

Pisoni was born in Elizabeth, and attended St. Augustine's Primary School and Salisbury High School. He subsequently completed an apprenticeship in a furniture manufacturing business. At the age of 21 he went on to found his own business, manufacturing and retailing fine furniture and training 20 apprentices of his own as the business grew from a back yard operation. Although Adelaide based at least half of the company's clients were based interstate and overseas. He operated his business until his election to Parliament.

Pisoni made a shift into politics at the 2006 state election, after incumbent Unley member Mark Brindal sought preselection for the electoral district of Adelaide. Pisoni then faced Unley mayor and Labor candidate Michael Keenan in the election, and ultimately won the seat in a close result. In January 2007, Pisoni was appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, Transport, Infrastructure and Energy.

Pisoni was appointed Shadow Minister for Small Business, Consumer Affairs, Volunteers, Youth and assisting the Leader with Multicultural Affairs on 18 April 2007. After a Shadow Cabinet re-shuffle in early 2008 Pisoni was promoted to Shadow Minister for Education and Children's Services, retaining the Small Business and Youth Portfolios. Further Shadow cabinet changes in 2008 saw Pisoni replace the portfolios of Small Business and Youth for key portfolios Employment, Training & Further Education and Early Childhood Development, retaining the Education portfolio. Pisoni served his first term as a member of the Public Works committee.

Pisoni was elected to the seat of Unley at the 2006 state election on 51.1 percent of the two-party-preferred vote, suffering a swing of 7.9 points. Pisoni was re-elected at the 2010 state election on 62.2 percent of the two-party vote, receiving a swing of 10.3 points. He retained his position as a Shadow Minister holding the same portfolios, but moving from the Public Works Committee to the Social Development Committee.

References

• David Pisoni website
• Parliament Profile