Home > Alexander Downer

Downer was born in Adelaide, South Australia, into one of the state's oldest families (irreverently known as Old Adelaide Families or OAFs). His father, Sir Alexander "Alec" Downer, was a member of the Australian Parliament 1949- 1964 and later High Commissioner in London. His grandfather, Sir John Downer , was a Senator in the first federal Parliament in 1901. His mother, Mary Downer nee Gosse, also comes from old South Australian stock.

Downer was educated at an exclusive Adelaide school and at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in Britain. He entered the Australian Diplomatic Service, where he served until 1982. He then worked as an advisor to the LiberalThis article concerns the modern Australian political party. For the Australian Liberal party active from 1909 to 1916, see Commonwealth Liberal Party. Liberal Party of Australia Current Leader John Howard Founded 1945 Headquarters Cnr Blackall and Macqua Prime Minister, Malcolm FraserJohn Malcolm Fraser (born May 21 1930), Australian politician and 22nd Prime Minister of Australia, came to power in the controversial circumstances of the dismissal of the Whitlam government. After two huge election victories and many legislative achieve. In 1984This page is about the year 1984. For other uses of 1984, see 1984 (disambiguation). 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday (link shows calendar). Events January January 1 Brunei becomes a fully independent state January 1 AT&T is broken up into 22 indepe he was elected to the federal Parliament as Liberal member for Mayo, in the suburbs of Adelaide.

The Liberals were in opposition fron 1983Events January January 1 Beat Raaflaub became Basel Boys Choir's new conductor January 1 the ARPANET officially changes to use the Internet Protocol, creating the Internet. January 1 compulsory wearing of seat belts becomes law in the UK. January 2 The mu to 1996, and Downer held a number of positions on the Opposition front bench from 19871987 is a common year starting on Thursday. Events January January 1 Nunavut's capital changes it name to Iqaluit from Frobisher Bay. January 3 Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. January 4 An Amtrak train onwards. Despite what some felt to be his aloof and patronising air, he was an effective debater, and in 19931993 is a common year starting on Friday and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003 Events January January 1 Czechoslovakia divides. Establishment of independent Slovakia and Czech Republic. he became Shadow Treasurer (Opposition finance spokesperson). When the Liberals unexpectedly lost the 19931993 is a common year starting on Friday and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003 Events January January 1 Czechoslovakia divides. Establishment of independent Slovakia and Czech Republic. elections to Paul KeatingPaul John Keating (born 18 January 1944), Australian politician and 24th Prime Minister of Australia, took Australian politics by storm first as the reforming Treasurer in the Hawke government, then as the Prime Minister who pulled off an upset victory in, Downer began to be talked of as a possible leader, and in May 1994 he was elected Leader of the Opposition after the resignation of Dr John Hewson.

However, Downer struggled against Keating's parliamentary tactics, and he never shook off Keating's jibe that he was "the idiot son of the aristocracy". Many Australians found his anglicised diction unattractive, and he made a series of tactical errors which Keating ruthlessly exploited. Opinion polls began to show that the Liberals were going backwards under his leadership. In January 1995 he resigned as Leader, and John Howard was elected to replace him.

When Howard won the March 1996 elections, he made Downer Minister for Foreign Affairs. After a shaky start, Downer performed effectively in the role. He was greatly helped by the changed international situation after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, which caused a majority of Australians to support the Howard Government's policy of close alliance with the US. Downer's major recent challenge has been handling relations with Australia's most important neighbour, Indonesia. On December 21, 2004, Downer will become the longest serving Foreign Minister of Australia.

See also: Politics of Australia