Federal Opposition Address

Tony Abbott was elected Leader of the Federal Liberal Party on Tuesday 1 December 2009. Prior to this appointment Tony held the position of Shadow Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. At a by-election in March 1994, Tony was elected as the Member for Warringah.

On the election of the Howard Government in 1996 Tony was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs—in this role, he was responsible for the establishment of the successful Greencorps program for young people.

Following the 1998 election he was appointed to the new portfolio of Minister for Employment Services. As Minister he oversaw the development of the Job Network and a major expansion of Work for the Dole. In January 2001 Tony was promoted to Cabinet as Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business.

Following the 2001 election he was appointed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Leader of the House, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and appointed Minister for Health and Ageing on 7 October 2003.

Tony attended St. Ignatius Riverview, graduated from Sydney University in Economics/Law, is a Rhodes Scholar and completed a MA, Politics and Philosophy at Oxford University.

Prior to entering Parliament Tony was a journalist. He was a feature writer for The Bulletin and The Australian. He was press secretary and political adviser to the Leader of the Opposition, Dr John Hewson and he was Executive Director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy from 1993–4.

Tony is married to Margaret. They have three daughters.