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John Lenders was elected in September 1999 to the Dandenong North electorate in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He was re-elected to Parliament in November 2002 to the Legislative Council.  Since joining the Cabinet in February 2002, he has held a range of portfolios including Industrial Relations, Consumer Affairs, Finance, Major Projects, WorkCover and Education. As Treasurer, John is responsible for delivering the State Budget, and providing strategic advice to Government on its economic, financial and budgetary policies. He is committed to maintaining strong economic growth in both metropolitan and regional Victoria, while ensuring that Victoria maintains its AAA credit rating.   John is determined to ensure that Victoria retains its well earned reputation as a leader in adopting best practice financial management, and its leadership role in setting the National Reform Agenda.  This includes being at the forefront in developing strategies to boost innovation. In addition to his responsibilities as Treasurer, John became Minister for Financial Services and Minister for Information and Communication Technology in January 2009.  As Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, he is responsible for managing the Government’s legislative agenda in a Parliamentary chamber where the four non-Government parties have the majority.  The son of Dutch-immigrant Gippsland dairy farmers, John was educated at St Joseph’s Primary School in Trafalgar and Trafalgar High School before moving to Melbourne for tertiary studies. During his student days, he was employed in a number of industries and services in the Latrobe Valley and Melbourne.

John has a Batchelor of Education from Rusden Teacher’s College and a Law Degree from Monash University. Whilst completing his second degree, John began working as an Advisor for Clyde Holding MP, managing a range of interesting and challenging portfolios. John also spent some years working as an ALP Official including a 5 year spell as Victorian Branch Secretary and Campaign Director. As well as being closely involved in ALP affairs John has spent a number of years serving on committees for his local kindergarten and church.  He was a volunteer at the 2004 Commonwealth Games and has been a regular blood and plasma donor since the 1970’s.  John and his wife Elisabeth live with their three adult children in Carnegie.  He is a keen swimmer, cyclist and bushwalker.