[1] His father, a radio technician, decided to emigrate after reading in a newspaper that a trade mission led by the minister responsible for the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Commission was visiting Stuttgart in search of skilled workers for employment in "The Hydro's" power projects, on which his father subsequently worked.
In 1974, Peter Abetz worked as a farm advisory officer in the Tasmanian Department of Agriculture based in Huonville, before running a small statewide rural supplies business.
After completing a Bachelor of Divinity,[3] he was ordained as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and served in that capacity for 25 years before entering Parliament.
Abetz ran as a candidate for the Labor-held Legislative Assembly seat of Southern River in the 2008 Western Australian state election.
In November 2009 Abetz supported legislation to give police the power to search individuals for illicit weapons or drugs, without suspicion or belief that a crime had been committed.
As a Christian, Abetz has been called one of "God's squad" in the WA Parliament for his eagerness to mention his faith in his public life.