Georgina Downer

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Georgina Downer
Born
Georgina Mary Beatrice Downer[1]

(1979-09-29) 29 September 1979 (age 42)
Brussels, Belgium
NationalityAustralian
OccupationLawyer
Known forMember of the Downer family
Spouse(s)Will Heath
Children2
Parents

Georgina Mary Beatrice Downer (born 29 September 1979 in Brussels, Belgium)[2] is an Australian political figure. She has been an unsuccessful political candidate, lawyer and diplomat.[3][4][5][6] She will be the inaugural director of the Robert Menzies Institute at Melbourne University when it opens in September 2021.[7][8]

Early life and education[]

Downer was born in Brussels in 1979 to Nicky and Alexander Downer. Her father, later leader of the opposition, was based in Belgium as a diplomat. Nicky had been a journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).[9][10] She is a member of the Downer political family, with several family members active in political life.

After graduating from Seymour College in 1997, Downer moved from Adelaide to study law at the University of Melbourne.[11][12] In 2005, Downer won a Chevening Scholarship to study at the London School of Economics, where she graduated with a master's degree.[13][14][15][16]

Working life[]

Downer joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a graduate trainee in 2007, later spending four years in Japan. Working at the Australian Embassy, she reached the position of second secretary.[15][12][17]

Politics[]

In 2015, Downer was linked in the media to the seat vacated by Michael Ronaldson and the possible replacement of Kevin Andrews in the Division of Menzies. Bruce Billson's resignation in 2016, saw Downer mooted as a possible replaced in the Division of Dunkley.[18][19][20]

With the retirement of Andrew Robb from the Division of Goldstein in 2016, Downer was linked with the vacant seat, though was ultimately passed over for Tim Wilson.[21][22][23]

She was the unsuccessful Liberal candidate for the seat of Mayo in the Australian House of Representatives in the 2018 by-election and in the 2019 general election.[24][25][26][27][28][29] Her promotion of the funding of a sports grant while a candidate, instead of the current member for the seat, Rebekha Sharkie, was a key initiating factor in the public coverage of the sports rorts affair of 2020.[30][31]

Personal life[]

Downer married Will Heath, a lawyer with King & Wood Mallesons, in 2009. The couple had met at university in 2000. They have two children.[29][32][33]

References[]

  1. ^ Downer, Alick (2012). The Downers of South Australia (PDF). p. vii. ISBN 978-1-74305-199-3. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Family Notices". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 October 1979. p. 28. Retrieved 9 April 2020 – via Trove.
  3. ^ Castello, Renato; Pisani, Ashleigh (19 May 2019). "Australia Decides 2019 - Curtain falls on Downer dynasty". Sunday Mail. p. 14.
  4. ^ Green, Antony (16 August 2018). "2018 Mayo by-election". July 2018 Federal By-elections. ABC News. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Downer to sever ties with state". The Advertiser. 6 November 2019. p. 13.
  6. ^ Starick, Paul (25 May 2019). "Two failed shots at Mayo, now for Game of Thrones, family and deadlifting". The Advertiser. p. 31.
  7. ^ Hutchinson, Samantha (30 April 2021). "Robert Menzies Institute to open at Melbourne University". The Age. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  8. ^ Wright, Tony (13 July 2018). "The hills of Mayo, where the Downer dynasty is fighting to survive". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  9. ^ Tom, McIlroy (17 May 2018). "Georgina Downer: Dyed in the wool Tory from the age of 6". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 8 April 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Jean, Peter (18 July 2018). "Howard warns of Sharkie vote 'risk'". The Advertiser.
  11. ^ "A perfect Downer". Herald Sun. 7 January 1998. p. 12.
  12. ^ a b "Adelaide to Tokyo no Downer for Georgina". The Advertiser. 7 November 2016. p. 21.
  13. ^ "Up for Downer". Financial Times. 11 August 2005.
  14. ^ Maynard, Roger (11 August 2005). "Scholarship for minister's daughter causes uproar". The Times. p. 34.
  15. ^ a b Wallace, Rick (30 March 2015). "Downer dynasty set for another go". The Australian.
  16. ^ Burke, Nicolette (10 August 2005). "Downer defends grant". The Age. p. 2.
  17. ^ "Leg-up for a Downer". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 March 2007. p. 24.
  18. ^ Hudson, Phillip (19 December 2015). "Retiring Lib senator opens way for women". The Weekend Australian. p. 4.
  19. ^ van Onselen, Peter (12 March 2016). "Diminishing sparkle of the jewel in the Liberals' crown". The Weekend Australian.
  20. ^ "Fight's on for seats". Herald Sun. 19 February 2016. p. 8.
  21. ^ Coorey, Philip (12 February 2016). "Downer scion leads race for Robb's seat". Australian Financial Review. p. 6.
  22. ^ Aston, Joe; Glasgow, Will (17 February 2016). "Kennett backs Downer in Goldstein seat". Australian Financial Review.
  23. ^ "Tim Wilson, former Human Rights Commissioner, wins Liberal preselection in seat of Goldstein". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Australian Associated Press. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  24. ^ Smith, Matt (30 July 2018). "Bullying claims as Mayo battle ends on a Downer". The Advertiser. p. 5.
  25. ^ Wright, Tony (14 July 2018). "Sharks circling for a homecoming queen". The Age. p. 22.
  26. ^ Wright, Tony (28 July 2018). "Downer slams 'abuse and hatred' aimed at aspiring politician daughter". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Downer's savouring Mayo". The Advertiser. 28 January 2017. p. 35.
  28. ^ ABC radio, Adelaide (6 November 2019). "Liberal candidate Georgina Downer to return to Victoria after twice failing to win SA seat of Mayo". ABC News. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  29. ^ a b Penberthy, David (6 November 2019). "Georgina Downer gives up on Mayo, returns to Victoria". The Australian. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  30. ^ Remeikis, Amy; Karp, Paul (12 March 2020). "From novelty cheque to full-blown scandal: a timeline of the sports rorts saga". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  31. ^ MacLennan, Leah (16 May 2019). "Is a high profile a help or a hindrance for candidates in an election?". ABC News. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  32. ^ Black, Elisa (26 April 2009). "Downer daughter's delight". Sunday Mail.
  33. ^ Devlin, Rebekah (25 April 2009). "Geese in on act". The Advertiser. p. 28.


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