Michael Ronaldson

Senator The Honourable
Michael Ronaldson
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office
18 September 2013
Prime Minister Tony Abbott
Preceded by Warren Snowdon
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC
Incumbent
Assumed office
18 September 2013
Prime Minister Tony Abbott
Preceded by Warren Snowdon
Special Minister of State
Incumbent
Assumed office
18 September 2013
Prime Minister Tony Abbott
Preceded by Mark Dreyfus
Senator for Victoria
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 July 2005
Preceded by Tsebin Tchen
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Ballarat
In office
24 March 1990 – 8 October 2001
Preceded by John Mildren
Succeeded by Catherine King
Personal details
Born 13 February 1954
Ballarat, Victoria
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Relations Archibald Fisken (grandfather)
Alma mater University of Melbourne
Occupation Barrister

Michael John Clyde Ronaldson (born 13 February 1954) is an Australian politician. He has been a Senator for the state of Victoria representing the Liberal Party since July 2005. Ronaldson has served as the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, and the Special Minister of State in the Abbott Government since 18 September 2013.[1][2]

Background and early career

Ronaldson was born in Ballarat, Victoria and attended Ballarat College before studying law at the University of Melbourne. Admitted to the Bar, Ronaldson practiced as a barrister and solicitor in Ballarat before entering politics. In 1981, Ronaldson was elected to the Ballarat City Council, where he served two terms as a councillor.

Political career

Member for Ballarat

A member of the Liberal Party since 1980, Ronaldson was elected to the House of Representatives for the seat of Ballarat in 1990. His grandfather, Archibald Fisken, was the member for Ballarat from 1934 until 1937.[3] During his time in the House of Representatives, Ronaldson served as the Shadow Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Schools, Vocational Education and Training.

Following the election of the Howard government at the 1996 federal election, Ronaldson was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Development. After the 1998 election he was appointed Chief Government Whip.

Following his retirement from the House of Representatives at the 2001 election, Ronaldson was a consultant and member of a number of boards including Snowy Hydro Limited. He was Co-chair of the Australian Ex-Prisoner of War Memorial project in Ballarat where he assisted with fundraising. He served on the Administrative Committee of the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division) from 2001 to 2004. Ronaldson has been a member of the Liberal Party for more than 30 years.

Senator for Victoria

At the 2004 federal election Ronaldson was elected to the Senate representing the state of Victoria, and his term began on 1 July 2005. Following the 2007 election, Ronaldson was appointed as Shadow Special Minister of State under Brendan Nelson.[4] He served as Shadow Cabinet Secretary in September 2008 until December 2009.

After the 2010 federal election Ronaldson was appointed Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC.

He assumed his current portfolios as Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC and Special Minister of State on 18 September 2013.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Tony Abbott's cabinet and outer ministry". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Abbott Ministry" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  3. ↑ http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia/1990/1990repsvic.txt
  4. ↑ "Nelson announces Opposition frontbench". ABC News. Australia. 1 June 2007.

External Links

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
John Mildren		 Member for Ballarat
1990–2001 		Succeeded by
Catherine King
Preceded by
Tsebin Tchen		 Senator for Victoria
2005–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Warren Snowdon		 Minister for Veterans' Affairs
2013–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Warren Snowdon		 Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC
2013–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Mark Dreyfus		 Special Minister of State
2013–present 		Incumbent