Rene and Shirley Hidding

Rene Hidding is a business man with a strong background in local government and Parliamentary representation.

Rene is the third son of a migrant family from Holland and was educated at Riverside High School and Launceston Matriculation College.

Having experienced the ups and downs of small business, Rene and his brothers established a large vertically-integrated business in the hardware and building industry.

Rene has qualifications as a real estate agent and developed with his family a small hardware store into a major Mitre10 player in the Tasmanian market.

Rene was elected as an Alderman of the City of Launceston in 1985 and served for seven years and is credited with driving the revitalization of the CBD of Launceston and is the founding chairman of the CityProm Limited, Launceston’s very successful regional marketing body.

Rene has been the Chairman of Glenara Limited for many years which, following the disposal of its substantial property assets, now operates as a private charity targeting children in need in Tasmania’s public schools. He has also served for periods as a Director of Metropolitan Transport Trust and the Royal Northern Agricultural Pastoral Society.

Rene was first endorsed as a candidate for the 1993 Federal GST election and was narrowly defeated by current incumbent Dick Adams. Rene contested the State election in 1996 and was elected as a Member for Lyons and was appointed as Cabinet Secretary to the Rundle Government. Rene carried out a number of Cabinet projects in helicopter search and rescue services and police mobile radio networks.

Rene became Deputy Leader to Sue Napier and in 2002, became Leader of the Opposition for a four-year term until the 2006 State election. Rene has served in most portfolios at some stage and has a particular interest in public policy development, from a traditional values standpoint and as a practical and committed Christian.

Rene and his wife, Shirley, are approaching their 40th wedding anniversary and are the proud parents of four children, and have five grandchildren with more on the horizon. Despite a high pressure schedule, Rene remains grounded through time spent with his family on whom he tests his culinary skills, a domestic duty inherited some ten years ago as part of a fair workplace agreement with his wife!

Rene also tries to find some quality time throughout the year to enjoy time on the family boat on the Tamar River, is an avid reader and sports fan.