Richard Alston (politician)
Richard Alston AO | |
---|---|
President of the Liberal Party of Australia | |
In office 25 June 2014 – 24 June 2017 | |
Leader | Tony Abbott Malcolm Turnbull |
Preceded by | Alan Stockdale |
Succeeded by | Nick Greiner |
Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom | |
In office February 2005 – September 2008 | |
Nominated by | John Howard |
Preceded by | Michael L'Estrange |
Succeeded by | John Dauth |
Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts | |
In office 21 October 1998 – 7 October 2003 Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts: 9 October 1997 – 21 October 1998 Communications and the Arts: 11 March 1996 – 9 October 1997 | |
Prime Minister | John Howard |
Preceded by | Michael Lee |
Succeeded by | Daryl Williams |
Senator for Victoria | |
In office 7 May 1986 – 10 February 2004 | |
Preceded by | Alan Missen |
Succeeded by | Mitch Fifield |
Personal details | |
Born | Richard Kenneth Robert Alston 19 December 1941 Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
Political party | Liberal Party |
Relations | Philip Alston (brother) |
Alma mater | University of Melbourne Monash University |
Occupation | Barrister |
Richard Kenneth Robert Alston AO (born 19 December 1941) is an Australian businessman, former politician and former barrister. He served as a Senator for Victoria from 1986 to 2004, representing the Liberal Party. During the Howard Government he held ministerial office as Minister for Communications and the Arts (1996–1997), Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts (1997–1998), and Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (1998–2003). He later served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (2005–2008) and Federal President of the Liberal Party (2014–2017).
Early life[]
Alston was educated at Xavier College (Kew), the University of Melbourne and Monash University, graduating with bachelor's degrees in law, arts and commerce from Melbourne University and master's degrees in Law and Business Administration from Monash University. He was a barrister before entering politics.[citation needed]
His brother is noted academic Philip Alston.
Senate[]
On 7 May 1986 Alston was appointed by the Parliament of Victoria under section 15 of the Australian Constitution to fill the vacancy in the Australian Senate caused by the death of Senator Alan Missen. He was re-elected in 1987, 1990, 1996 and 2001.[1]
Alston was a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry from 1989 to 1996, and was Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate 1993–96. Shadow Minister for Social Security, Child Care and Superannuation, as well as Communications and the Arts, were among the positions he held in the shadow ministry. He was Minister for Communications and the Arts 1996–97, Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts 1997–98 and Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 1998–2003. He was also Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate 1996–2003.
Alston resigned from the Senate on 10 February 2004,[1] and he was replaced by Mitch Fifield.
Later career[]
From February 2005 to February 2008, Alston served as Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Since 2004 he has been an Adjunct Professor of Information Technology at Bond University.[2]
Since leaving Parliament, Alston has served as Chairman of three listed Australian companies and as a director of a number of listed public companies in both Australia and the United Kingdom. These have been in fields as diverse as information technology, broadcasting services, sandalwood, public relations, advertising and ironsands.[citation needed]
Alston served as a member of the international board of CQS LLP,[3][4] a United Kingdom-based hedge fund for seven years and as a director of its Australian subsidiary. Alston also served for six years as a director of United Kingdom-based public company, Chime PLC.[5] He also served as Chairman of the advisory board of Qato Capital,an Australian long short fund, as a director of Nanuk Asset Management and as a director of Balmoral Gardens, a retirement village owner and operator for many years and a director of CPA Australia for three years..
He is currently Chairman of Sunny Ridge strawberry farms, a director of China Telecom (Australia), Chairman of National Advisory, a leading Australian corporate advisory firm, a member of the advisory board of Market Eye, a leading Australian investor relations firm and a member of the Council of the Australian National Gallery.
Alston was federal president of the Liberal Party from 2014 to 2017. [6]
Honours[]
At the 2015 Australia Day Honours, Alston was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, to international relations through diplomatic roles, to business development in diverse sectors, and to the community.[7] Alston was also awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for service as Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.[8]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Biography for ALSTON, the Hon. Richard Kenneth Robert". Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
- ^ "The Honourable Richard Alston". Alumni. Monash University. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Chime unveils board changes". Interactive Investor. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Party People". Liberal Party of Australia. 12 June 2013.
- ^ "Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in the General Division" (PDF). Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ "Richard Kenneth Alston". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 January 2001. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- 1941 births
- Living people
- High Commissioners of Australia to the United Kingdom
- Permanent Representatives of Australia to the International Maritime Organization
- Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia
- Melbourne Law School alumni
- Members of the Cabinet of Australia
- Members of the Australian Senate
- Members of the Australian Senate for Victoria
- Monash Law School alumni
- Officers of the Order of Australia
- Old Xaverians Football Club players
- People educated at Xavier College
- Politicians from Melbourne
- Recipients of the Centenary Medal
- 21st-century Australian politicians
- 20th-century Australian politicians
- Government ministers of Australia