Kim Beazley

His Excellency The Honourable 
Kim Beazley
 
AC


Australian Ambassador to the
United States
Incumbent
Assumed office 
February 2010
Preceded by Dennis Richardson

In office
1996–2001
Preceded by John Howard
Succeeded by Simon Crean

Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
In office
20 June 1995 – 11 March 1996
Prime Minister Paul Keating
Preceded by Brian Howe
Succeeded by Tim Fischer
Constituency Swan (1980–1996)
Brand (1996–2007)

Born 14 December 1948 (1948-12-14) (age 62)
Perth, Western Australia
Political party Australian Labor Party
Religion Anglican

Kim Christian Beazley, AC (born 14 December 1948) is an Australian politician, diplomat and academic. He is currently the Australian Ambassador to the United States.[1] He had previously served in the Australian House of Representatives from 1980 to 2007.

While in Parliament, Beazley was leader of the Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition on two occasions, from 1996–2001 and from 2005–2006. He led Labor during its 1998 and 2001 election defeats. He was succeeded as Labor leader by Kevin Rudd, and Beazley retired from Parliament at the 2007 election when Labor won government. Previously, Beazley was a minister under Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, and served as the Deputy Prime Minister in 1995–1996.

Contents

Early life

Beazley was born in Perth, Western Australia. His father, Kim Beazley Snr, was the Labor MP for Fremantle from 1945 to 1977 and education minister in the Whitlam Government (1972–75). His mother, Betty Judge, is a former Australian athletics champion and record-holder.

The younger Kim was educated at Hollywood Senior High School and later at the University of Western Australia and Balliol College, Oxford (having been a 1973 Rhodes Scholar), where he gained a Master of Philosophy degree. At Oxford, he befriended Tony Blair who would become a British prime minister and Geoff Gallop, later to be a premier of Western Australia. After returning to Australia, he tutored and lectured in politics at Perth's Murdoch University before being elected MP for the seat of Swan at the 1980 election.

Political career

Career in government

Beazley (middle) in 1986

Beazley became a protege of Bob Hawke, Labor leader from 1983, and in that year he was appointed Minister for Aviation in Hawke's first ministry. He was Minister for Defence, with a seat in Cabinet, 1984–90.[2] In this role he was responsible for establishing the Australian Navy's submarine program, which was beset with some technical problems and cost over-runs (see Collins class submarine). Beazley has had a lifelong interest in military matters; his consequent enthusiasm for this portfolio, and particularly for military hardware, earned him the nickname "Bomber Beazley".

Beazley was then Minister for Transport and Communications (1990–91), Finance (1991), Employment, Education and Training (1991–93), and Finance again (1993–96). He supported Hawke in his leadership battles with Paul Keating in 1991, but retained his position when Keating deposed Hawke and became Prime Minister in December 1991. Beazley was Deputy Prime Minister 1995–96. At the 1996 elections Beazley shifted to the safer seat of Brand, south of Perth.

First term as Labor leader

In 1996, on the defeat of the Keating government by John Howard, Beazley was elected unopposed as Labor leader and became Opposition Leader. He campaigned against Howard's Goods and Services Tax (GST) but lost the October 1998 elections by a narrow margin. Labor polled a majority of the two-party vote and received the largest swing to a first-term opposition since 1934, but failed to win enough seats in the House of Representatives.

In mid-2001 Labor was well ahead in the opinion polls and seemed set to win the election due at the end of the year, but in August the Tampa affair occurred when the Howard government refused to allow the MV Tampa, a Norwegian freighter, to set down on Australian soil at Christmas Island several hundred asylum seekers whom the crew had rescued from an unseaworthy boat in international waters. The 11 September attacks also occurred. When the November 2001 election was announced, Howard had taken a commanding lead in the polls and seemed set for a huge victory. But Beazley's dogged campaigning regained some of this ground and Labor suffered a net loss of only four seats.

Opposition backbencher

Beazley resigned the Labor leadership after the election and was succeeded by Simon Crean. But by 2003 Crean had failed to make any headway against Howard and Labor MPs began to fear that Howard would easily win the election due in 2004. Crean's opponents persuaded Beazley to attempt a return to the leadership by challenging Crean. The Labor Caucus (parliamentary Labor Party) re-elected Crean in June 2003, not convinced that Beazley offered a better alternative. Some Beazley supporters, most notably Stephen Conroy, continued to plot against Crean, and Beazley refused to rule out a further challenge.

On 27 November 2003, Crean's closest supporters told him that he had lost their confidence, then on the next day when Crean announced his resignation from the Labor party leadership. Beazley immediately announced that he would be contesting the leadership when the Labor Caucus met on 2 December 2003. His only opponent was the party's economic spokesperson, Mark Latham. Latham defeated Beazley by 47 votes to 45. After the ballot, Beazley announced that he would remain in politics as a backbench member and would recontest his seat at the 2004 election.

In June 2004 Beazley battled claims he had a "special relationship" with Ratih Harjono[3] back when he was Defence Minister; it was alleged this relationship posed a security risk.[4]

In July 2004, however, Latham arranged for Beazley to return to the Labor front bench as Shadow Defence Minister. This followed controversy over Latham's policy of withdrawing Australian troops from Iraq by the end of 2004. Beazley's return to the front bench was generally seen as a move by Latham to reassure Australian public opinion that a Labor government would not put the U.S.-Australian alliance at risk.

Second term as Labor leader

Kim Beazley outside Parliament House, Canberra in July 2004

After Labor's defeat in the October 2004 federal election, at which he became the longest-serving Labor member of the Parliament, Beazley again returned to the backbench, saying "my time as leader of the Labor Party has come and gone, it's over for me as far as leadership is concerned". But after Latham resigned as leader on 18 January 2005, Beazley announced his intention to contest the leadership, saying that he was "absolutely fired with ambition."

Referring to widespread doubt that Labor could win the 2007 election under a leader who had already lost two elections, Beazley said: "There's no doubt in my mind that I can lead a winning team in the next election. The road to the prime ministership of this nation is a long and hard road. It's not an easy one. And there are many twists and turns on that road. I'm in my 25th year as a member of the Federal Parliament and I know this: public opinion is volatile and it can change."

Beazley was re-elected as federal Labor Leader when the Labor Caucus met on 28 January 2005 following the withdrawal of the other potential candidates, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.[5] Labor hoped that Beazley could follow a similar course to John Howard, who failed in his first term as Opposition Leader but returned in 1995 for a second term and then won the 1996 election.

In September 2005, the publication of Mark Latham's The Latham Diaries contained comments by Latham to the effect that Beazley was a "dirty dog" and was not fit to "clean toilets in Parliament". Latham's abuse resulted mainly from two allegations: firstly that Beazley had engaged in a prolonged campaign to undermine Latham in his positions as a frontbencher and as opposition leader and; secondly that Beazley (as leader) had failed to provide support to Labor MP Greg Wilton, who later committed suicide. All of these allegations were vehemently denied by Beazley, his supporters and others.

Kim Beazley in November 2005 declaring Labor will "oppose the Howard Government's industrial relations legislation in every respect, at every stage until the next election".

In the first half of 2006, Beazley focussed much of the Labor Party's parliamentary inquiry into the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) scandal, which allegedly involved bribes and kickbacks with the then Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, that universally breached UN Sanctions, to which Australia was a signatory. The situation reached climax in the aftermath of Treasurer Peter Costello's 2006 Budget, whereby for the first time in recent Australian political history, the opposition leader and his colleagues ceased inquiry on the budget papers after just six questions, before resuming further questioning on the AWB scandal. The media criticised the ALP,[6] although many ministers acknowledged the need for the Government to be held accountable for the AWB scandal.

These tactical deficiencies plagued Beazley's return to the leadership and were amplified by factional infighting in the broader Labor Party, raising many questions concerning both his ability to lead and the stability of the party. At the time, opinion polls by ACNielsen and Newspoll on preferred leader had him at record lows. This was confirmed in a forum on the SBS Insight television program on 2 May 2006,[7] which specifically dealt with the Labor Party's political struggles, where some community members voiced their concerns about being disillusioned with Kim Beazley, and a lack of understanding of the values and policies for which he and the party stood. While Beazley admitted that winning an election was difficult, he was adamant that the 2007 election would be a "referendum on the Howard Government's unfair industrial relations laws."

After the mid-term parliamentary break, Beazley's fortunes slightly improved, with voter concern over interest rate rises, petrol prices and industrial relations giving Labor some electoral comfort. This was later evident in polls which suggested the ALP's primary vote was at around 40 per cent – the minimum considered necessary to gain government. However, polls concerning preferred leader still positioned Kim Beazley well below John Howard.

2006 leadership challenge

With continued weak performances in preferred Prime Minister opinion polls, 2006 was punctuated by a number of embarrassing gaffes from the opposition leader. At a press conference on 17 November 2006, Beazley confused the grieving TV host Rove McManus with President Bush's adviser, Karl Rove, offering his sympathy to the wrong Rove.[8]

Beazley's leadership of the Labor Party came under increasing pressure. Opposition to Beazley again centred around foreign affairs spokesperson Kevin Rudd and health spokesperson Julia Gillard. According to media reports, the New South Wales Right faction promised its support to Rudd for leadership so long as he challenged Beazley before Christmas.[9][10] On 30 November 2006 Rudd met with Beazley and announced his intention to challenge for the leadership. On 1 December, Beazley announced not only a leadership election but also that all frontbench positions within the Parliamentary Labor Party would be made vacant.[11][12] Both sides claimed that they were in a winning position.

A ballot was held on Monday 4 December and Kevin Rudd was declared the winner and leader of the ALP, by a margin of 49 votes to 39.[13] After the leadership results were announced, Jenny Macklin withdrew from the contest for deputy leader, which allowed Gillard to be elected unopposed to that position.

Following the ballot, Beazley said of his political future, "For me to do anything further in the Australian Labor Party I would say is Lazarus with a quadruple bypass. So the time has come for me to move on but when that gets properly formalised I will let you know."[14] It was also revealed that his brother David had died of a severe heart attack at age 53, shortly before the vote took place.[15]

Post-political career

Beazley later announced on 13 December 2006 that he would not stand for re-election at the 2007 federal election and that he would retire from parliament after the election.[16] In 2009, Beazley was appointed a Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) for his service to the Australian parliament.[17]

He worked as a professorial fellow at the University of Western Australia, focusing on politics, public policy and international relations.[18] He also served as Chancellor of the Australian National University in 2009, having succeeded Allan Hawke.[19] He is a member of the Council of Advisors of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.[20]

In September 2009, Beazley was appointed as Australia's ambassador to the United States of America.[21] His appointment began in February 2010.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 ABC News (2010). Wheelchair-bound Beazley becomes US ambassador. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  2. [Toohey,Brian (7 July 2002). Security proves a complicated affair]http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/07/06/1025667073297.html
  3. Sim, Susan (19 February 2000). All the President's whisperers, Straits Times (Singapore).
  4. AAP, (30 June 2004). Spy claims Beazley a 'security risk'http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/30/1088487994346.html?from=storylhs
  5. "Gillard gives Beazley clear run at leadership". ABC News. 26 January 2005. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1289217.htm. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  6. McGrath, Catherine (11 May 2006). "Budget reply a tough test for Beazley". PM. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1636514.htm. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  7. "Labor Pains". Insight. Special Broadcasting Service. 2 May 2006. http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/topic.php?id=93. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  8. "Kim's sympathy for wrong Rove". Australia: News Limited. 17 November 2006. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20773664-2,00.html. Retrieved 20 May 2008. 
  9. Franklin, Matthew; Sproull, Richard (1 December 2006). "New style of leadership needed: Rudd". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20852666-601,00.html. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  10. "Rudd, Beazley to lobby colleagues". ABC News. 2 December 2006. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1802585.htm. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  11. Coorey, Phillip (1 December 2006). "Beazley calls leadership ballot". ABC News. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1801716.htm. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  12. Coorey, Phillip (2 December 2006). "It's us or oblivion". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/rudd-gillard-pledge-energy/2006/12/01/1164777794928.html. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  13. Hudson, Phillip (4 December 2006). "Beazley's black Monday". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/12/04/1165080849091.html. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  14. This refers to John Howard's response to a journalist's question after his loss of the leadership of the Liberal Party to Andrew Peacock on 9 May 1989. The journalist asked, "Do you see yourself as having another chance at the leadership at some future time?" and Howard replied: "Oh, that'd be Lazarus with a triple bypass". From "Howard's Way". Sunday. Ninemsn. 4 December 2006. http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/cover_stories/transcript_331.asp. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  15. "Tearful Beazley bows out". The Age. 4 December 2006. http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/rudd-ousts-beazley/2006/12/04/1165080846679.html. Retrieved 4 December 2006. 
  16. "Beazley to retire at next election". ABC News. 13 December 2006. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1810990.htm. Retrieved 13 December 2006. 
  17. "Beazley's political passion undiminished: SMH 26/1/2009". News.smh.com.au. 2009-01-26. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/beazleys-political-passion-undiminished-20090126-7pkn.html. Retrieved 2010-05-30. 
  18. University of Western Australia (2007). Former Deputy Prime Minister joins UWA. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  19. ABC News (2008). Beazley appointed ANU chancellor. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  20. United States Studies Centre (2010). Council of Advisors. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  21. "Mr Beazley goes to Washington". ABC Online. 17 September 2009. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/17/2688593.htm. 

External links

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
John Martyr
Member for Swan
1980 – 1996
Succeeded by
Don Randall
Preceded by
Wendy Fatin
Member for Brand
1996 – 2007
Succeeded by
Gary Gray
Political offices
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Wal Fife
Minister for Aviation
1983 – 1984
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Peter Morris
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Gordon Scholes
Minister for Defence
1984 – 1990
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Robert Ray
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Mick Young
Vice-President of the Executive Council
1988 – 1991
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Mick Young
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Graham Richardson
Minister for Transport and Communications
1990 – 1991
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John Kerin
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Ralph Willis
Minister for Finance
1991
Succeeded by
Ralph Willis
Preceded by
John Dawkins
Minister for Employment, Education and Training
1991 – 1993
Succeeded by
Simon Crean
Preceded by
Ralph Willis
Minister for Finance
1993 – 1996
Succeeded by
John Fahey
Preceded by
Brian Howe
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
1995 – 1996
Succeeded by
Tim Fischer
Preceded by
John Howard
Leader of the Opposition of Australia
1996 – 2001
Succeeded by
Simon Crean
Preceded by
Mark Latham
Leader of the Opposition of Australia
2005 – 2006
Succeeded by
Kevin Rudd
Party political offices
Preceded by
Brian Howe
Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party
1995 – 1996
Succeeded by
Gareth Evans
Preceded by
Paul Keating
Leader of the Australian Labor Party
1996 – 2001
Succeeded by
Simon Crean
Preceded by
Mark Latham
Leader of the Australian Labor Party
2005 – 2006
Succeeded by
Kevin Rudd
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Dennis Richardson
Australian Ambassador to the United States
2010 – present
Incumbent