Brian Loughnane
| Brian Loughnane | |
|---|---|
| Born |
circa 1958 Geelong, Victoria |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | La Trobe University |
| Occupation | Political campaign advisor |
| Spouse(s) | Peta Credlin |
| Website | |
| www.liberal.org.au | |
| Notes | |
Brian Loughnane (born circa 1958[2]), an Australian political campaign advisor, has been the Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia since February 2003.
Background and career
Loughnane was born in Geelong, Victoria and was educated in Colac before graduating with an honours degree in political science from La Trobe University in 1981.[1]
Commencing his career with Shell Australia in 1982, Loughnane was responsible for industrial relations at the Geelong oil refinery during the introduction of enterprise bargaining.[1]
In 1992 he was appointed as an advisor to Vin Heffernan, the Minister for Small Business in the Kennett government and in 1994 he became Chief of Staff to Alexander Downer, the federal Leader of the Opposition. When John Howard succeeded Downer as opposition leader in early 1995, Loughnane was appointed as Howard's Chief of Staff, serving until May 1995, before appointment to a senior executive role with Gas and Fuel Corporation for twelve months. He returned to politics in 1996 and served as Chief of Staff to John Moore in his capacities as Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism and as Minister for Defence.[1] However, Loughnane and Moore fell out badly with Paul Barratt, the then Secretary of the Department of Defence. Barratt later accused Loughnane of having a propensity to "talk across the minister."[2]
Between October 2000 to February 2003 Loughnane was State Director of the Victorian Division of the Party. He was campaign director for the 2001 by-election for the federal Division of Aston (Liberal retain) and the 2002 Victorian state election (Labor returned).
Upon his appointment as Federal Director of the Liberal Party, Loughnane has served as Campaign Director for the party at the federal elections held in 2004 (Coalition returned), 2007 (Labor win), 2010 (Labor returned) and 2013 (Coalition win). Considered a classic backroom operator,[2] in 2010 Loughnane had a rare public dispute with his deputy, James McGrath; thought to relate to the party's level of finances,[3] with others believing that Loughnane feared that McGrath had ambitions on his job.[4] McGrath was recruited from Britain’s Conservative Party by former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull.
Loughnane is credited with inspiring the L-plate tag that hit the former Labor leader Mark Latham during 2004.[2][5]
Personal
Loughnane is married to Peta Credlin, the Chief of Staff for Tony Abbott, the current Prime Minister of Australia.[2] They married in December 2002 after the 2001 federal election where they worked together in the Victorian office of the Liberal Party in a move engineered by Senator Kay Patterson.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Brian Loughnane". Party people: Executive Director. Liberal Party of Australia. 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Snow, Deborah (20 July 2010). "Brian Loughnane: Liberal Federal Director". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ↑ Kerr, Christian (22 April 2010). "Top Liberal James McGrath dumped in feud". The Australian. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ↑ Westfield, Mark (21 April 2010). "Liberal infighting breaks out". Business Spectator. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Knott, Matthew (23 December 2011). "Brian Loughnane and Peta Credlin". Crikey: The Power Index: Power Couples. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
External links
- Legge, Kate; Nestel, Christine (24 July 2013). "The queen of no" (video). The Australian Magazine.