About Tony

Background

Tony Abbott was elected Member for Warringah at a by-election in March 1994. Prior to entering Parliament he was Executive Director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy from 1993-94. From 1990-93 he was press secretary and political advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, Dr John Hewson. His previous career was in journalism, where he wrote as a feature writer for 'The Bulletin' and 'The Australian'.

Tony was appointed Minister for Health and Ageing on the 7 October 2003.

After the Federal election in 2007 Tony became Shadow Minister for Families, Community Services, Indigenous Affairs & the Voluntary Sector.

He lives in Forestville with wife Margaret and three daughters.

Education

St. Ignatius Riverview

Sydney University

• Economics/Law
• First Grade Rugby
• President of the SRC

Rhodes Scholar, Oxford University

• MA, Politics and Philosophy
• Won two Blues in boxing

St. Patrick's Seminary, Manly

Political Career

On the election of the Howard Government in 1996 he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs. In this role, he was responsible for the establishment of the successful Greencorps program for young people.

Following the 1998 election he was appointed to the new portfolio of Minister for Employment Services. As Minister, he oversaw the development of the Job Network and a major expansion of Work for the Dole.

In January 2001, Tony was promoted to Cabinet as Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business. Following the 2001 election he was appointed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Leader of the House and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service

Tony was appointed Minister for Health and Ageing on the 7 October 2003.

He has written two books in defence of the existing constitutional system, "The Minimal Monarchy" and "How to Win the Constitutional War".