Tony Abbott
Tony Abbott is a notable Australian politician born in London, England, in 1957, who served as the leader of the Liberal Party and the twenty-eighth Prime Minister of Australia from 2013 to 2015. Abbott's educational background includes degrees in economics and law from the University of Sydney and further studies in politics and philosophy at Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. Early in his career, he worked as a journalist and later took on various political roles, including minister for employment and workplace relations, and minister for health and ageing, where he expanded Medicare to include additional services.
As Prime Minister, Abbott was recognized for his strong stances on immigration and taxation, notably repealing the carbon and mining taxes. His tenure was marked by controversy and criticism, particularly regarding his social views, including his opposition to abortion rights and strict immigration policies. Despite early popularity, he left office in 2015 with a low approval rating, following a leadership challenge that saw Malcolm Turnbull succeed him. After his time in office, Abbott continued to engage in conservative politics and think tanks, while also being active in his personal life as an amateur boxer and volunteer firefighter.
Tony Abbott
- Born: 4 November 1957
Politician
Place of birth: London, United Kingdom
Education: University of Sydney, Oxford University
Significance: Tony Abbott is an Australian politician who served as leader of the Liberal Party and twenty-eighth prime minister of Australia from 2013–15.
Background
Tony Abbott was born in London, England, in 1957 to an Australian mother and British father. His parents, both Australian citizens, moved back to Australia in 1960.
Abbott was politically active and ideologically conservative even as a young student. He studied at the University of Sydney, where he completed degrees in economics in 1979 and law in 1981. Abbott excelled as a student, and later attended Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. While at Oxford, he completed degrees in politics and philosophy.
Abbott, a devout Catholic, intended to become a priest and enrolled in St. Patrick's Seminary in 1984. He left in 1987 to pursue a career in journalism instead. After working for several years as a writer for theAustralian, Abbott entered politics. He first took a position as press secretary for John Hewson, who was at the time leader of the Liberal Party, but was sacked when the Liberals lost the 1993 election.
Abbott then began working as the executive director of Constitutional Monarchy, a conservative group focused on promoting and preserving Australia's historical ties to the United Kingdom. Throughout his political career, Abbott has been a supporter of monarchy for Australia, and would later urge the British monarchy to reinstate the honours of knights and dames to the Order of Australia.
Seeking a larger role in Australian politics, Abbott joined Parliament as a member of the Liberal Party representing Warringah in the 1994 by-election.
Liberal Leadership and Prime Minister of Australia
As a member of Parliament, Abbott initially worked for the new Liberal Party leadership as a parliamentary secretary, and later worked on social policy in areas including employment services, workplace relations and health.
He served as minister for employment services from 1998–2001 and minister for employment and workplace relations from 2001–3. In this role, he formed a commission to limit the power of workplace unions. During this period, he also served as leader of the House of Representatives, a position he held from 2001–7. Abbott served as minister for health and ageing from 2003–7. In this role, he expanded Medicare to cover services performed by dentists and psychologists.
At times, Abbott's career has been tumultuous. In his numerous high profile political roles, he has been central to many publicity gaffes and has faced widespread criticism for his social commentary. Abbott stirred controversy for his views on abortion and for his use of his veto power as leader of the House. In 2006 he attempted to block an abortion medication from being made available in Australia. Abbott's detractors vilified him in the press, stirring public debate about his use of government power and the social implications of his views. The House of Representatives held a vote that overturned Abbott's veto blocking the drug, restoring the decision to the Therapeutic Drugs Administration.
The Liberal Party became the opposition after the 2007 election that saw the Labor Party take the majority. The Liberal Party underwent several changes in leadership over the ensuing years. During this period, Abbott served as a shadow minister. He was elected leader of the opposition in 2009 and began efforts to galvanise the Liberal Party to retake Parliament. He led a successful movement within his party to overturn the Labor Party's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. That same year, Abbott infamously missed an important vote on a stimulus bill because he had fallen asleep in his office. He later admitted to having been intoxicated.
Labor Party leader Julia Gillard called a federal election in 2010, which prompted the Labor and Liberal parties to seek coalition support from other parties. Labor succeeded, and led through 2013. Forming a bond between the Liberal Party and the National Party, Abbott led the coalition to victory in the 2013 elections and became prime minister of Australia. Abbott also served as the tenth Chairman of the Commonwealth of Nations the same year.
As prime minister, Abbott initially gained popularity for his hard-line actions on taxes and issues such as immigration and foreign affairs. He repealed a carbon tax and mining tax, stating that though he believed in the effects of human-made climate change, he does not support large taxes as a solution.
Abbott helped to make Australia the world's second-largest military force contributing to the United States' efforts to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). He declared Australia closed to foreign refugees, a position generally viewed in the public as unsympathetic and unpopular. In 2014 Abbott had an approval rating of 30 per cent.
Abbott left office in 2015, having been ousted by his party's preference for Malcolm Turnbull as their leader. Turnbull, who decried Abbott's policies and personality, was elected the new Liberal Party leader and prime minister on 14 September 2015. Abbott continue to represent Warringah in Parliament until he lost his reelection bid in 2019. Afterwards, Abbot joined several conservative think tanks, and in 2023, was named a board member for the Fox Corporation.
Impact
Abbott instituted and expanded successful government programs and led the Liberal Party to victory on promises of reform. As prime minister, he weathered social controversies over his views and actions, and left office with a low approval rating, as public opinion turned against his often extreme social conservativism.
Personal Life
Abbott and his wife, Margaret Aitken Abbott, have three daughters. Abbott is an amateur boxer, having competed in boxing tournaments while studying at Oxford. He serves as a volunteer firefighter and lifeguard. Abbott has authored four books.
Bibliography
"Fast Facts—Tony Abbott." National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/australias-prime-ministers/tony-abbott/fast-facts. Accessed 18 June 2024.
"Biography." The Hon Tony Abbott MP, tonyabbott.com.au/biography/. Accessed 18 June 2024.
Corey, Phillip. "Abbott Sets Stage for Crackdown on Unions." Financial Review, 11 Feb. 2014, www.afr.com/news/policy/industrial-relations/abbott-sets-stage-for-crackdown-on-unions-20140210-ixtol. Accessed 18 June 2024.
Davies, Anne. "Australian Election: Tony Abbott Loses His Warringah Seat to Zali Steggall." Guardian 18 May 2019, www.theguardian.com/global/2019/may/18/australian-election-tony-abbott-loses-his-warringah-seat-to-zali-steggall. Accessed 18 June 2024.
Grattan, Michelle. "RU486 Hits Abbott—Again." Conversation, 28 Apr. 2013, theconversation.com/ru486-hits-abbott-again-13777. Accessed 18 June 2024.
Peatling, Stephanie. "Tony Abbott Slams Pensions for People with 'Bad Backs, a Bit of Depression.'" The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 Dec. 2016, www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-slams-pensions-for-people-with-bad-backs-a-bit-of-depression-20161214-gtasat.html. Accessed 18 June 2024.
"Turnbull's Turn." The Economist, 19 Sept. 2015, www.economist.com/news/asia/21665053-yet-another-prime-minister-removed-and-assassin-malcolm-turnbull-promises. Accessed 18 June 2024.