Bob Debus
| The Honourable Bob Debus AM MP | |
|---|---|
| 50th Attorney General of New South Wales | |
| In office 2000–2007 | |
| Preceded by | Jeff Shaw |
| Succeeded by | John Hatzistergos |
| Minister for Home Affairs | |
| In office 3 December 2007 – 9 June 2009 | |
| Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd |
| Preceded by | No immediate predecessor |
| Succeeded by | Brendan O'Connor |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Macquarie | |
| In office 24 November 2007 – 19 July 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Kerry Bartlett |
| Succeeded by | Louise Markus |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 September 1943 Ryde, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
Robert John "Bob" Debus AM (born 16 September 1943), a former Australian politician, has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives and the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, representing the Australian Labor Party. Debus has been a minister in both the Australian and New South Wales governments. He served in the NSW Parliament from 1981 to 1998 and again from 1995 to 2007; and in the Australian Parliament from 2007 to 2010.
Before his retirement from the NSW Parliament, at the 2007 state election, he held the portfolios of Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for the Arts; and represented the Blue Mountains electorate. Prior to his retirement from the Australian Parliament, at the 2010 federal election, he was Minister for Home Affairs in the Rudd Ministry; and served as Member for Macquarie. Debus is a prominent member of Labor's Socialist Left faction. On 6 June 2009, Bob Debus announced his resignation from the ministry and his retirement. He did not contest the 2010 federal election.
Biography
Debus was born in Ryde, New South Wales and educated at Homebush Boys High School[1] and Sydney University, graduating in Law and Arts in 1967. He worked as a publisher and lawyer. He worked as an ABC broadcaster, and was Executive Producer of the ABC's Department of Radio Talks and Documentaries 1970. He was also Executive Director of Australian Freedom from Hunger Campaign and Community Aid Abroad 1988-94, and advisor to Federal Minister for Administrative Services 1994-95.[2]
State Politics
Debus was the member for Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, from 1981 to 1988. He was Minister for Employment from 1984 to 1986 and Minister for Finance from 1984 to 1988.
Debus was also member for Blue Mountains from 1995 to 2007. He has held several Ministerial positions in the New South Wales Government, including:
- March 2003 - March 2007 - Attorney General and Minister for the Environment
- June 2000 - March 2003 - Attorney General, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts
- April 1999 - January 2001 - Minister for the Environment, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Corrective Services and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts
- April 1998 - April 1999 - Minister for Energy, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts
- December 1997 - April 1999 - Minister for Energy, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Corrective Services and Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts
- April 1995 - December 1997 - Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts
- 1986 - 1988 - Minister for Finance, Co-operative Societies and Assistant Minister for Education.[2]
On 30 October 2006, he announced that he would retire from state politics at the March 2007 election.
Police Integrity Commission allegations
On 16 November 2006, Debus was accused by Liberal Party leader Peter Debnam under Parliamentary Privilege of being under investigation by the Police Integrity Commission. In response the Government released a Police report stating that a minister had been the subject of complaints (not an investigation) which were dismissed in 2003 as spurious and groundless. The report did not name the minister concerned as it was deemed to be 'not in the public interest'.[3] When Mr Debnam failed to provide evidence to support his claims, he was censured by Parliament for misleading the House.[4] It was subsequently reported that Mr Debnam's source for the accusation was a convicted bank robber and child sex offender with a long history of making unsubstantiated allegations.[5]
Federal politics
On 30 March 2007 Debus confirmed longstanding rumours that he would seek preselection for the Federal seat of Macquarie. The seat's boundaries are largely the same as those of his former State seat and, after a redistribution, the seat's then sitting member, Kerry Bartlett of Liberal, would have required a pro-Liberal swing of 0.5% to retain the seat. On 24 November 2007 Debus won the election for Macquarie with a strong swing to Labor. On 29 November Kevin Rudd announced he would be part of his new ministry.[6] He was appointed Minister for Home Affairs in Kevin Rudd's First Rudd Ministry on 3 December 2007.[7] This was a new ministry, and he was responsible for domestic law enforcement, including the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
On 6 June 2009, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a cabinet reshuffle without Mr Debus, who, after 28 years in state and federal politics had decided to retire. Debus did not contest the 2010 federal election.[8]
ACC file
It was revealed in October 2008 that the Australian Crime Commission had compiled a secret file on Debus, sparking condemnation by former and serving police officials. The file included details of his personal habits, views on police corruption and former Labor prime ministers.[9]
Honours
On 13 June 2011, Debus was named a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Parliaments of Australia and New South Wales, to the development of an emergency response framework, through contributions to legal and environmental reforms, and to the community.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ "Swearing in Ceremony of The Honourable Roderick Neil Howie QC". Lawlink Transcript. The Supreme Court of New South Wales. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Hon. (Bob) Robert John Debus, MP". Members of Parliament. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ↑ "Allegations against Debus 'spurious'". The Australian (News Limited). 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
- ↑ "Parliament censures Debnam over Debus claims". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2006-11-16. Retrieved 2007-02-22.
- ↑ ""Rotten" Debnam refuses to apologise". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). 2006-11-21. Retrieved 2007-02-22.
- ↑ "Rudd drops six: report". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ↑ Rudd hands out portfolios, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 29 November 2007.
- ↑ "Kevin Rudd announces reshuffle". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). 2009-06-06. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ↑ McKenzie, Nick; Baker, Richard (2008-10-04). "Debus file sparks condemnations". The Age (Melbourne: Fairfax Media). Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ↑ "Bob Debus AM". Australian Honours Database. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
External links
| Parliament of New South Wales | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mick Clough |
Member for Blue Mountains 1981 – 1988 |
Succeeded by Barry Morris |
| Preceded by Barry Morris |
Member for Blue Mountains 1995 – 2007 |
Succeeded by Phil Koperberg |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Jeff Shaw |
Attorney-General of New South Wales 2000 – 2007 |
Succeeded by John Hatzistergos |
| Preceded by Bob Carr |
Minister for Arts 2005 – 2007 |
Succeeded by Frank Sartor |
| Preceded by |
Minister for the Environment 2005 – 2007 |
Succeeded by |
| Parliament of Australia | ||
| Preceded by Kerry Bartlett |
Member for Macquarie 2007 – 2010 |
Succeeded by Louise Markus |
| Political offices | ||
| New title | Minister for Home Affairs 2007 – 2009 |
Succeeded by Brendan O'Connor |