Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 48

Malcolm (Bligh) Turnbull - Early life, Career, Politics, Family, Writing

Merchant banker, lawyer, and republican, born in Sydney, New South Wales, SE Australia. He studied at the universities of Sydney and Oxford, where he was Rhodes Scholar for New South Wales in 1978. He worked as a political correspondent for various newspapers and radio stations before being admitted to the bar in 1980. He set up his own law firm in 1986, and became known for successfully defending Peter Wright in the Spycatcher trial, publishing his account of the case in 1988. A prominent advocate of an Australian Republic, he is a foundation director of the Australian Republican Movement, and in 1993 was appointed chairman of the Republic Advisory Committee. He published The Reluctant Republic in 1993.

Malcolm Turnbull

Parliamentary Secretary for Water
In office
9 October 2004 – present
Preceded by Peter King
Succeeded by Incumbent
Born 24 October 1954
Constituency Wentworth
Majority 2.5%
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Religion Roman Catholic (Christianity)
Spouse Lucy Turnbull neé Hughes
Children Alexander and Daisy
Website: malcolmturnbull.com.au/

Malcolm Bligh Turnbull (born 24 October 1954), Australian politician, was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in October 2004 for the Division of Wentworth, New South Wales, representing the Liberal Party.

Early life

Turnbull spent his first three years of school at Vaucluse Public School.

Turnbull graduated from Sydney University with a double degree in law and arts.

Career

Turnbull has also had a career in business.

In 1999 Turnbull sold Ozemail to the then telecommunications giant MCI Worldcom.

From 1993 to 2000 Turnbull was the chairman of the Australian Republican Movement.

In May 2002, Turnbull appeared before the HIH royal commission and was questioned on his involvement on the possible privatisation of one of the acquisitions of the collapsed insurance company.

Despite Turnbull's involvement with the republican movement, his frequent criticism of Prime Minister John Howard during the referendum, and his business partnership with Neville Wran, he has always been a Liberal.

Politics

In 2003 Turnbull announced that he was seeking a seat in federal Parliament.

Since his election Turnbull has made a series of speeches on economic matters, particularly taxation, which some commentators have seen as implied criticisms of the policies of the Treasurer, Peter Costello, although Turnbull denies this.

Announcing his cabinet reshuffle on January 24 2006, Australian Prime Minister John Howard promoted Turnbull from the backbench to Parliamentary Secretary, with special responsibility for water.

Family

Turnbull is married, with two children, Alexander and Daisy, and lives in Sydney.

Writing

Turnbull has written several books in relation to his contributions to the Republican debate, as well as his experiences during the Spycatcher trial.

In 1994 a portrait of Malcolm Turnbull by artist Bill Leak won the People's choice award at the Archibald Prize.

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