| The Honourable Tony Abbott MP |
|
|---|---|
| 32nd Leader of the Opposition Elections: 2010 |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1 December 2009 |
|
| Deputy | Julie Bishop |
| Preceded by | Malcolm Turnbull |
| Minister for Health and Ageing | |
| In office 7 October 2003 – 3 December 2007 |
|
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Kay Patterson |
| Succeeded by | Nicola Roxon |
| Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations | |
| In office 26 November 2001 – 7 October 2003 |
|
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Himself (Employment and Workplace Relations) |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Andrews |
| Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business | |
| In office 30 January 2001 – 26 November 2001 |
|
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Peter Reith |
| Succeeded by | Himself (Employment and Workplace Relations) Ian Macfarlane (Small Business) |
| Minister for Employment Services | |
| In office 21 October 1998 – 30 January 2001 |
|
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Chris Ellison |
| Succeeded by | Mal Brough |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Warringah |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 26 March 1994 |
|
| Preceded by | Michael MacKellar |
| Majority | 22,252 (13.1%)[1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 November 1957 London, United Kingdom |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia Coalition |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Abbott |
| Alma mater | St John's College, University of Sydney Queen's College, Oxford St Patrick's Seminary, Manly |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Website | Official website |
Anthony John "Tony" Abbott (born 4 November 1957) is the Leader of the Opposition in the Australian House of Representatives and federal leader of the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia. Abbott has represented the seat of Warringah since the 1994 by-election. He was Minister for Employment Services, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Minister for Health and Ageing in the Howard government at various times from 1998 to 2007 and Leader of the House from 2001 to 2007.
After the defeat of the Howard government at the 2007 federal election, he was Shadow Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs until he resigned from Malcolm Turnbull's shadow cabinet on 26 November 2009 in protest against Liberal Party support for an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).[2] Following a spill motion, Abbott defeated Turnbull 42 votes to 41 in a party leadership election.
The 2010 federal election resulted in a hung parliament with the incumbent Labor government led by Julia Gillard, forming a minority government after gaining support of an Australian Greens MP and three independent MPs. Abbott was re-elected unopposed to the party leadership following the election.[3][4]
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Abbott was born in London, England to expatriate Australian parents.[5][6][7] On 7 September 1960, his family moved to Australia on the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme ship Oronsay, living first in the Sydney suburbs of Bronte then moving to Chatswood.[7] Abbott was schooled at St Aloysius' College before completing his secondary school education at St Ignatius' College, Riverview in Sydney (both are Jesuit schools).[8] He graduated with a Bachelor of Economics (BEc) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB)[5] from the University of Sydney where he resided at St John's College, and was president of the Student Representative Council.[9] He gained media attention for his political stance opposing the then dominant left-wing student leadership. During this time Abbott was accused of sexually assualting a political opponent during a debate about the future of the Australian Union of Students. Further to this he has been accused of being a "right-wing thug and bully who used sexist and racist tactics to intimidate his opponents", during his university days.[10] He was also a prominent student boxer. [11] He then went on to attend the Queen's College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and graduated with a Master of Arts (MA) in Politics and Philosophy.[12]
When Abbott was 19, his girlfriend became pregnant and believed Abbott to be the biological father. She was keen to get married but when Abbott refused she left him seven months into her pregnancy. She later gave birth to a son and had him adopted.[13][14] For 27 years, Abbott believed that he fathered this child.[15] In 2004, the boy sought out his biological mother and it was publicly revealed that the child had become an ABC sound recordist who worked in Parliament House, Canberra, and was involved in making television programs in which Abbott appeared.[16] DNA testing later revealed that Abbott was not the man's father.[17]
In 1983, he began studying for the Catholic priesthood, and entered St Patrick's Seminary, Manly.[9] He subsequently decided to leave the seminary and choose another career path. Due to this time in the seminary, his strong Catholic faith, and his surname, Abbott was given the nickname "The Mad Monk"[18] by his critics.
Throughout his time as a student and seminarian, Abbott was writing articles for newspapers and magazines—first for the Sydney University Newspaper, and later The Catholic Weekly and national publications like The Bulletin. He eventually became a journalist and wrote for The Australian.[9] In 1987, Abbott met his wife Margaret, with whom he has three daughters (Louise, Bridget and Frances).[9][19]
Abbott began public life as a journalist for The Bulletin, an influential news magazine, and The Australian Newspaper.[9] He became well-known for his strongly worded criticism of trade unions and left-wing politics. For a time he was a plant manager for Pioneer Concrete before becoming press secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, Dr John Hewson from 1990 to 1993 and worked on the Fightback! policy.[9] Between 1993 and 1994 he was the Executive Director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy.[5]
Despite his right-wing leanings, Abbott has acknowledged he voted for Labor in the 1988 NSW state election as he thought "Barrie Unsworth was the best deal Premier that New South Wales had ever had." Nevertheless, Abbott then clarified that he has never voted for Labor in a federal election.[20]
Abbott was elected to the Australian House of Representatives for the Division of Warringah at a by-election in March 1994 following the resignation of Michael MacKellar. He served as the parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (1996–98), Minister for Employment Services (1998–2001), Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Small Business (2001), Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations (2001–03) and Minister for Health and Ageing from 2003 to November 2007. From late 2001 to November 2007, he was also Manager of Government Business in the House of Representatives.[21]
As a Parliamentary Secretary, Abbott oversaw the establishment of the Green Corps program which involved young people in environmental restoration work.[22][23] As Minister for Employment Services, he oversaw the implementation of the Job Network and was responsible for the government's Work for the Dole scheme.[24][25][26][27][27][28] He also commissioned the Cole Royal Commission into "thuggery and rorts" in the construction industry and created the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner in response and to lift productivity.[29][30]
The Liberal Party allowed members a free choice in the 1999 republic referendum. Abbott was one of the leading voices within the Party campaigning for the successful "No" vote, pitting him against future Parliamentary colleague and leading Republican Malcolm Turnbull[31][32]
When Abbott was promoted to Cabinet in 2000, Prime Minister Howard described him as an effective performer with an endearing style, whereas the Opposition described him as a "bomb thrower."[26] Howard appointed Abbott to the key Health Portfolio in 2003, during a period of contentious Medicare reform and a crisis in Medical Indemnity Insurance, which was forcing doctors out of practice.[33][34] Abbott worked with the states to address the crisis and keep the system running.[30]
Abbott was involved in controversy in 2006 for opposing access to the abortion drug RU486, and the Parliament voted to strip Health Ministers of the power to regulate this area of policy.[35] He introduced the Medicare Safety Net to cap the annual out-of-pocket costs of Medicare cardholders to a maximum amount. In 2007 he attracted criticism over long delays in funding for cancer diagnostic equipment (PET scanners).[36][37][38][39]
According to Sydney Morning Herald Political Editor Peter Hartcher, prior to the defeat of the Howard Government at the Australian Federal Election, 2007, Abbott had opposed the Government's centrepiece Workchoices industrial relations deregulation reform in Cabinet, on the basis that the legislation exceeded the government's mandate; was harsh on workers; and was politically dangerous to the government.[30]
Abbott campaigned as Minister for Health at the 2007 Election. On 31 October, he apologised for saying 'just because a person is sick doesn't mean that he is necessarily pure of heart in all things', after Bernie Banton, (an asbestos campaigner and terminal mesothelioma sufferer) called him 'gutless' for not being present to collect a petition.[40]
During his career as a Minister, Abbott acquired a reputation as a robust parliamentary debater and political tactician.[41][42]
In 1998, Abbott established a trust fund called "Australians for Honest Politics Trust" to help bankroll civil court cases against the One Nation party and its founders, Pauline Hanson and David Ettridge.[43] Prosecution ultimately resulted in Hanson & Ettridge being imprisoned.[44] The conviction against Hanson was ultimately overturned, leading to criticism of a range of politicians for political interference by the adjudicating justice.
After the Coalition lost government in 2007 and he lost his health portfolio, in opposition Abbott was re-elected to the seat of Warringah with a 1.79% swing toward the Labor Party.[45] Following Peter Costello's rejection of the leadership of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, Abbott nominated for the position of party leader, along with Malcolm Turnbull and Brendan Nelson. After canvassing the support of his colleagues, Abbott decided to withdraw his nomination. He seemingly did not have the numbers, noting that he was "obviously very closely identified with the outgoing prime minister."[46] He also said he would not rule out contesting the leadership at some time in the future.[47]
In December 2007, Abbott was assigned the Shadow Portfolio of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.[48] As indigenous affairs spokesman, Abbott said that it had been a mistake for the Howard Government not to offer a National Apology to the Stolen Generations.;[49] spent time teaching at remote Aboriginal communities;[50] and argued for the Rudd Government to continue the Northern Territory National Emergency Response which restricted alcohol and introduced conditional welfare in certain Aboriginal communities.[51]
During this period in Opposition, Abbott wrote Battlelines - a biography and reflection on his thoughts on the Howard Government, and a discussion of potential future policy directions for the Liberal Party.[52] In the book, Abbott said that in certain aspects the Australian Federation was 'dysfunctional' and in need of repair. He recommended the establishment of local hospital and School boards to manage health and education;[53] and discussed family law reform; multiculuralism, climate change; and international relations. The book received a favourable review from former Labor Party speech writer Bob Ellis, and The Australian described it as 'read almost universally as Abbott's intellectual application for the party's leadership after the Turnbull experiment'.[54][55]
The number of unauthorised boat arrivals to Australia increased in Australia during 2008.[56] Abbott claimed that this was an effect of the Rudd Government's easing of border protection laws and accused Kevin Rudd of ineptitude and hypocrisy on the issue of boat arrivals, particularly during the Oceanic Viking affair of October 2009, and said "John Howard found a problem and created a solution. Kevin Rudd found a solution and has now created a problem".[57]
In November 2009, Abbott resigned from shadow ministerial responsibilities due to the Liberal Party's position on the government's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), leading to the resignation of other shadow ministers.[58]
On 1 December 2009, Abbott was elected to the position of Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia over Malcolm Turnbull and Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey (See 2009 Liberal Leadership ballot). Abbott proposed blocking the Rudd Government's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in the Senate whereas Turnbull sought to amend then pass the bill which the majority of the Liberal Party did not support.[59] Abbott named his Shadow Cabinet on 8 December 2009.[60]
Abbott described Prime Minister Rudd's Emission Trading plan as a 'Great big tax on everything' and opposed it. The Coalition and minor parties voted against the Government's ETS legislation in the Senate and the legislation was rejected. Abbott announced a new Coaltion policy on carbon emission reduction in February, which committed the Coalition to a 5 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020. Abbott proposed the creation of an 'emissions reduction fund' to provide 'direct' incentives to industry and farmers to reduce carbon emissions.[61] In April, Rudd announced that plans for the introduction his ETS would be delayed until 2013.[62]
When appointed to the Liberal leadership, the subject of Abbott's Catholicism and moral beliefs became a subject of repeated media questioning. Various commentators suggested that his traditionalist views would polarise female voters.[63] Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard accused Abbott of 'lecturing' women when he responded to a question from a women's magazine by saying that he would tell his own daughters that virginity was 'a gift' not to be given away 'lightly'.[64] He told press gallery journalist Laurie Oakes that he does not do doorstop interviews in front of church but regularly faces pointed questions about his faith which are not put to the prime minister, who attends Anglican services every week.[65]
In a 60 Minutes interview aired on 7 March 2010, Abbott was asked: "Homosexuality? How do you feel about that?". He replied: "I'd probably feel a bit threatened ... as most people do."[66] In a later interview Abbott said that the answer he gave had been a "spontaneous answer", and on the ABC's Q&A program he apologised and said that he had used a "very poor choice of words".[67][68]
In March 2010, Abbott, announced a new policy initiative to provide for 6 months paid parental leave, funded by an increase in corporate tax by 1.7 per cent on all taxable company income of more than $5 million. Business groups and the government opposed the plan, however it won support from the Australian Greens.[69]
During his time as Opposition Spokesman for Indigenous Affairs, Abbott spent time in remote Cape York Aboriginal communities as a teacher, organised through prominent indigenous activist Noel Pearson. Abbott has repeatedly spoke of his admiration for Pearson, and in March 2010, introduced the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill to Parliament in support of Pearson's campaign to overturn the Queensland government's Wild Rivers legislation. Abbott and Pearson believe that the QLD law will 'block the economic development' of indigenous land, and interfere with Aboriginal land rights.[70]
Abbott completed an Ironman Triathlon event in March 2010 at Port Macquarie, New South Wales and in April set out on a 9 day charity bike ride between Melbourne and Sydney, the annual 'Pollie Pedal, generating political debate about whether Abbott should have committed so much time to physical fitness.[71][72] Abbot described the events as an opportunity to "stop at lots of little towns along the way where people probably never see or don't very often see a federal member of Parliament."[73]
In his first Budget reply speech as Opposition Leader, Abbott sought to portray the Rudd Government's third budget as a "tax and spend" budget and promised to fight the election on the new mining "super-profits" tax proposed by Rudd.[74] [75][76]
Shortly before the 2010 federal election, Julia Gillard replaced Kevin Rudd as Australian Labor Party leader and Prime Minister of Australia after it emerged that Rudd no longer held majority support within party caucus.[77]
On 17 July, after receiving the agreement of the Governor-General, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the next federal election would be held on 21 August 2010.[78] Polls in the first week gave a view that Labor would be re-elected with an increased majority, with Newspoll showing a lead of 10 points (55–45) two party preferred and the Essential poll similarly reflecting Newspoll.[79]
The two leaders met for one official debate during the campaign. Studio audience surveys by the Channel 9 and Seven Network suggested a win to Gillard.[79] Unable to agree on further debates, the leaders went on to appear separately on stage for questioning at community fora in Sydney and Brisbane. In Sydney on 11 August, Abbott's opening statement focused on his main election messages of government debt, taxation and asylum seekers. An audience exit poll of the Rooty Hill RSL audience accorded Abbott victory.[80] Gillard won the audience poll at Broncos Leagues Club meeting in Brisbane on 18 August.[81] Abbott also appeared for public questioning on the ABC's Q&A program on 16 August.[82]
Labor and the Coalition each won 72 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives,[83] four short of the requirement for majority government, resulting in the first hung parliament since the 1940 election.[84][85][86]
Abbott and Gillard commenced a 17 day period of negotiation with the crossbenchers over who would form government. On the crossbench, four independent members, one member of the National Party of Western Australia and one member of the Australian Greens held the balance of power.[87][88] Following the negotiations, the incumbent Gillard Labor government formed a minority government with the support of an Australian Greens MP and three independent MPs on the basis of confidence and supply, while another independent and the WA National gave their confidence and supply support to the Coalition, resulting in Labor holding a 76-74 tally of votes on the floor of the Parliament.[89] The Coalition finished with 49.88 percent of the two party preferred vote.[90] obtaining a national swing of around 2.58%.[91]
During negotiations, the Independents requested that both major parties' policies be costed by the apolitical Australian Treasury. The Coalition initially resisted the idea, citing concerns over Treasury leaks, however the Coalition eventually allowed the analysis. Treasury endorsed Labor's budget costings but projected that Coalition policies would only add between $860 million and $4.5 billion to the bottom line (the Coalition had projected that its promises would add about $11.5 billion to the budget bottom line over the next four years).[92][93][94]
Following the 2010 Election, Abbott and his deputy, Julie Bishop were re-elected unopposed as leaders of the Liberal Party.[95] Abbott announced his shadow ministry on 14 September, with few changes to senior positions, but with the return of former leadership rival Malcolm Turnbull, whom he selected as Communications spokesman.[96] Abbott announced that he wanted Turnbull to prosecute the Opposition's case against the Gillard Government's proposed expenditure on a National Broadband Network.[97]
Following the 2010–2011 Queensland floods, Tony Abbott opposed plans by the Gillard government to impose a "flood levy" on taxpayers to fund reconstruction efforts. Abbott said that funding should be found within the existing budget.[98] Abbott also announced a proposal for a taskforce to examine further construction of dams in Australia to deal with flood impact and food security.[99]
In February 2011, Abbott criticised the Gillard government's handling of health reform and proposal for a 50-50 public hospitals funding arrangement with the states and territories, describing the revised Labor Party proposal as "the biggest surrender since Singapore".[100] Abbott opposed Prime Minister Gillard's February 2010 announcement of a proposal for the introduction of a "carbon tax", and called on her to take the issue to an election. Abbott said that Gillard had lied to the electorate over the issue because Gillard and her Treasurer Wayne Swan had repeatedly ruled out the introduction of a carbon tax in the lead up to the 2010 election.[101]
In April 2011, Abbott proposed consultation with Indigenous people over a bipartisan Federal Government intervention in Northern Territory towns like Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek which would cover such areas as police numbers and school attendance in an effort to address what he described as a "failed state" situation developing in areas of the Northern Territory.[102] April also saw Abbott announce a $430 million policy plan to improve the employment prospects of people with serious mental health problems Australia.[103]
Following the first Gillard Government budget in May 2011, Abbott used his budget-reply speech to reiterate his recent critiques of government policy and call for an early election over the issue of a carbon tax.[104] Rhetorically echoing Liberal party founder, Robert Menzies, Abbott addressed remarks to the "forgotten families".[105]
In June 2011 Abbott for the first time lead Julia Gillard in the Newspoll preferred Prime Minister. [106]
In September 2011, Abbott announced a plan to develop an agricultural food bowl in the north of Australia by developing dams for irrigation and hydroelectricity. Coalition task force leader Andrew Robb claimed that Australia currently produced enough food for 60 million people, but that the coalition plan could double this to 120 million people by 2040.[107] The head of the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce expressed concerns with the economic and environmental viability of this plan as well as its effects on the Indigenous Australian communities in northern Australia.[108]
Abbott is a supporter of the constitutional monarchy in Australia.[28][109] Prior to entering Parliament, he was Executive Director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy from 1993-94.[110] Arguing against the case for a republican system of government in Australia in 1999, Abbott outlined his beliefs on conservatism and the monarchy:
“ There are some people who believe that any republic would be better than what we have now. “Republic or bust” zealots are incapable of perceiving any difficulties. Conservatives, however, don’t change anything lightly. Conservatives approach issues with instinctive respect for institutions and approaches that have stood the test of time. “If it is not necessary to change” the conservative ethos runs, “it is necessary not to change”. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” say conservatives, “and if it is broke, recycle it, don’t throw it away”.[111] ”
Abbott supports the argument espoused by former Prime Minister John Howard and Justice Michael Kirby that Australia is presently and should remain a crowned republic. He predicted in his 2009 book Battlelines that Australia would still be a Crowned Republic in 2020.
Speaking in July 2009, Abbott told the ABC's 7:30 Report that though he thought the science of climate change was "highly contentious" and that he thought that the economics of an ETS was "a bit dodgy", he nevertheless thought that the Opposition should pass the Rudd Government's ETS as he did not think it would be "a good look for the Opposition to be browner than Howard going into the next election".[112]
At an October 2009 meeting in the Victorian town of Beaufort, Abbott was reported to have said: "The argument is absolute crap... However, the politics of this are tough for us. 80% of people believe climate change is a real and present danger".[113] On 1 December 2009, when questioned about that statement, he said he had used "a bit of hyperbole" at that meeting rather than it being his "considered position".[114]
Speaking in November 2009, prior to being elected Leader of the Opposition, Abbott told the ABC's Lateline program that in relation to Climate Change Policy:
“ I am always reluctant to join bandwagons. I think there are fashions in science and in the academe, just as there are fashions in so many other things. But look, we should take reasonable precautions against credible threats. I think it is perfectly reasonable to take action against climate change. The problem with the Rudd Government's position is that Australia could end up impoverishing itself through this dramatic ETS, and not do anything for the environment if the rest of the world does not adopt an ETS or something like it. ”
Outgoing Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull wrote that Abbott had described himself as a 'weathervane' in relation to climate change policy in the months prior to his becoming leader of the Liberal Party.[115]
Upon becoming Leader of the Opposition, Abbott put the question of support for the Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), to a secret ballot and the Liberal Party voted to reject support for the policy - overturning on an undertaking by Abbott's predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull, to support an amended version of the government's scheme. Under Abbott, the Coalition voted against the CPRS in the Senate, and the bill was defeated twice, providing a double dissolution trigger.[116]
Abbott proposed an alternative 'direct-action' climate policy involving a 5% reduction in emissions by means of creating a $2.5bn fund to provide incentives for industry and farmers to reduce emissions and through measures like storing carbon in soil; planting 20 million trees over the next decade; and providing $1000 rebates to homes for installation of solar cells.[117] However estimates by Federal Treasury put the likely cost of such a scheme at A$10 billion a year or more. The Rudd government eventually deferred its CPRS legislation until 2013.[116]
The Liberal party's environmental philosophies have changed under different party leaders. Under Tony Abbott, the Liberal party has actively opposed the idea of a large carbon tax.[118] Although opposing the Labor party's environmental policies, claiming that Labor would increase electricity prices, the Liberal party is in bipartisan support for the Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets, which would see an increase to electricity prices.[119]
Abbott is pro-life, an opponent of embryonic stem cell research and euthanasia. He supports legal abortion but with restrictions; he has said that abortion should be "safe, legal and rare".[120][121][122][123] He also tried, but failed, to block the introduction of the abortion pill RU-486, but promised not to change abortion law if elected.[124]
As Health Minister, Abbott said that he saw reducing the number of abortions performed each year as a national priority. In March 2004, he asked, "Why isn't the fact that 100,000 women choose to end their pregnancies regarded as a national tragedy approaching the scale, say, of Aboriginal life expectancy being 20 years less than that of the general community?"[125] In February 2006, he said, "We have a bizarre double standard, a bizarre double standard in this country where someone who kills a pregnant woman's baby is guilty of murder but a woman who aborts an unborn baby is simply exercising choice."[126]
Abbott promised to launch an investigation into a product called Pink or Blue, produced by the American firm Consumer Genetics. This test is one of several pre-natal blood tests designed to detect the sex of a fetus as early as six weeks into pregnancy. Some ethicists and anti-abortionists have raised concerns that it would be used for sex-selective abortion.[127]
Abbott opposed allowing the introduction of embryonic stem cell research or therapeutic cloning in another conscience vote. He argued, "There are very important ethical questions here and even the very best end does not justify every possible means."[128]
In his 2009 book Battlelines, Abbott proposed that consideration should be given to a return to an optional at-fault divorce agreement between couples who would like it, similar to the Matrimonial Causes Act, which would require spouses to prove offences like adultery, habitual drunkenness, cruelty, desertion, or a five-year separation before a divorce would be granted.[129] Abbott said that this would be a way of "providing additional recognition to what might be thought of as traditional marriage".[130]
Abbott opposes euthanasia. Addressing a 2009 Intelligence squared debate, he said, "Love, not death, is our obligation and our duty [to the sick]. I would be slow to judge anyone who helped the passage to death [who really needed it] … Let's not make bad laws on hard cases." In his argument, he feared that legalised euthanasia could result in doctors avoiding complex responses and that there was, in some cases, a danger of unscrupulous relatives who might abuse the practice in the interests of gaining an inheritance.[131]
In 2010, when Abbott told the ABC's Q&A program that an Abbott-led government would not amend Australian law to recognise gay marriage, he said, "I certainly want to see - just a general principle. I want to see stable, committed relationships, but I do think that a marriage, by definition, is between a man and a woman."[68]
Abbott is a socially conservative Catholic.[132][133] As a former Catholic seminarian, Abbott's religiosity has come to national attention and journalists have often sought his views on the role of religion in politics. Abbott says that a politician should not rely on religion to justify a political point of view:
“ We are all influenced by a value system that we hold, but in the end, every decision that a politician makes is, or at least should, in our society be based on the normal sorts of considerations. It's got to be publicly justifiable; not only justifiable in accordance with a private view; a private belief.[109] ”
Various of the political positions supported by Abbott have been criticised by church representatives, including aspects of Coalition industrial relations policy, asylum seeker and Aboriginal affairs policy.[134][135][136] After criticisms of Liberal Party policy by clergy, Abbott has said: "The priesthood gives someone the power to consecrate bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. It doesn't give someone the power to convert poor logic into good logic."[134]
According to John Warhurst from the Australian National University, academics have at times placed an "exaggerated concentration on the religious affiliation and personal religious background of just one of [the Howard government's] senior ministers, Tony Abbott."[137] Journalist Michelle Grattan wrote in 2010 that while Abbott has always "worn his Catholicism on his sleeve", he is "clearly frustrated by the obsession with [it] and what might hang off that".[138]
Abbott is a volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service[139] as a member of the Davidson Rural Fire Brigade.
Abbott has participated in many events for charity including running in a 100 km charity ultramarathon.[140] In April 2007 he launched the tenth annual Pollie Pedal, a charitable event which aimed to raise money for breast cancer research.[141] Federal Territories Minister Jim Lloyd said that the event was Abbott's "brainchild".[142]
As Opposition spokesman on Indigenous Affairs, Abbott spent weeks teaching in a remote Aboriginal settlements in Cape York in 2008 and 2009, organised through prominent indigenous leader Noel Pearson. He taught remedial reading to Aboriginal children; worked with an income management group, helping families manage their welfare payments; and visited children who had not been attending school—with a goal 'to familiarise himself with indigenous issues'.[143][144]
Abbott has published three books. In 2009 he launched "Battlelines"; a personal biography, reflections on the Howard Government and discussion of potential policy directions for the Liberal Party of Australia.[110] Previously he had published two books in defence of the existing constitutional monarchy system, "The Minimal Monarchy" and "How to Win the Constitutional War".
| Parliament of Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael MacKellar |
Member of Parliament for Warringah 1994–present |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Chris Ellison |
Minister for Employment Services 1998–2001 |
Succeeded by Mal Brough |
| Preceded by Peter Reith |
Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business 2001 |
Succeeded by Himself as Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations |
| Succeeded by Ian Macfarlane as Minister for Small Business |
||
| Preceded by Himself as Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business |
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations 2001–2003 |
Succeeded by Kevin Andrews |
| Preceded by Kay Patterson |
Minister for Health and Ageing 2003–2007 |
Succeeded by Nicola Roxon |
| Preceded by Malcolm Turnbull |
Leader of the Opposition 2009–present |
Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Malcolm Turnbull |
Leader of the Liberal Party 2009–present |
Incumbent |
| Professional and academic associations | ||
| Preceded by New Creation |
Executive-Director for Australians for Constitutional Monarchy 1992 – 1994 |
Succeeded by Kerry Jones |
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