Science Advisory Council - Dr Peta Seaton
Since leaving NSW Parliament in 2007, Peta Seaton has combined her experience and interests in a new career including strategic consultancy to global companies, academia, and public policy.
She grew up in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Returning to Sydney in 1976 she pursued her childhood passion for Middle Eastern archaeology with an Honours degree at Sydney University, including several seasons of excavation in Jordan. She has a PhD in archaeology.
After graduating, she worked in the television industry in Los Angeles, then returning to Australia started a small advertising and music video production company, and later joined Clemenger as an-house television producer.
Becoming interested in regulatory, economic and business issues, she joined the Opposition research and media staff of NSW Liberal Leader Nick Greiner in 1987, and following the election of the Greiner Government in 1988, joined the Premier's staff team. After Nick Greiner's resignation she worked with new Premier John Fahey, and then Hon. Dr. John Hewson in Federal Opposition, before returning to the private sector in 1993.
When John Fahey resigned the State seat of Southern Highlands, Peta won the by-election in May 1996. As Member for Southern Highlands for 11 years she represented people from Goulburn to Camden, and held senior front bench roles including Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Planning, Infrastructure, Environment, and Finance.
Peta lives with her husband and daughter in Moss Vale and Sydney. She runs her own consultancy assisting global companies on strategy and brand, contributes to public policy teaching and research, and is undertaking new archaeological projects connected with her fieldwork in Jordan. She is published in books and journals on public policy and archaeology, and has just published a book: ‘Chalcoli
Her interests include painting, gardening, riding, farming and cricket.
