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Philip Ruddock

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The Honourable
Philip Ruddock
AO
Mayor of Hornsby Shire
In office
10 September 2017 – 14 September 2024
Preceded bySteve Russell
Succeeded byWarren Waddell
Father of the House
In office
1 September 1998 – 9 May 2016
Preceded byIan Sinclair
Succeeded byKevin Andrews
Chief Government Whip in the House of Representatives
In office
18 September 2013 – 13 February 2015
Prime MinisterTony Abbott
Preceded byChris Hayes
Succeeded byScott Buchholz
Attorney-General of Australia
In office
7 October 2003 – 3 December 2007
Prime MinisterJohn Howard
Preceded byDaryl Williams
Succeeded byRobert McClelland
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
In office
11 March 1996 – 7 October 2003
Prime MinisterJohn Howard
Preceded byNick Bolkus
Succeeded byAmanda Vanstone
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Berowra
In office
13 March 1993 – 9 May 2016
Preceded byHarry Edwards
Succeeded byJulian Leeser
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Dundas
In office
10 December 1977 – 13 March 1993
Preceded bySeat created
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Parramatta
In office
22 September 1973 – 10 December 1977
Preceded byNigel Bowen
Succeeded byJohn Brown
Personal details
Born (1943-03-12) 12 March 1943 (age 81)
Canberra, Australia
Political partyLiberal Party of Australia
Spouse
Heather Ruddock
​
​
(m. 1970)​
ParentMax Ruddock (father)
Residence(s)Pennant Hills, New South Wales
EducationBarker College
Alma materSydney Law School
University of Sydney
OccupationSolicitor
Diplomat
ProfessionLawyer
Politician
[1]

Philip Maxwell Ruddock AO (born 12 March 1943 in Canberra) is an Australian politician and former Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council. He is a Vice Chair of the Global Panel Foundation Australasia.

Ruddock was previously a Liberal member of the House of Representatives from 1973 to 2016. First elected in a 1973 by-election, by the time of his retirement he was the last parliamentary survivor of the Whitlam and Fraser governments. He was both the Father of the House and the Father of the Parliament from 1998 to retirement.

He is the second longest-serving parliamentarian in the history of the Australian Parliament; only Billy Hughes has served longer.[2] Ruddock served continuously in the ministry during the Howard government, as Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs from 1996 to 2001 (promoted to the federal Cabinet in 2003), Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs from 2001 to 2003, and Attorney-General from 2003 to 2007.[3]

Early life and education

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Philip Ruddock was born in Canberra, the son of Emmie (née Chappell) and Maxwell "Max" Ruddock. His father was the Deputy Prices Commissioner working for the Commonwealth Government.[4] The senior Ruddock was later a Liberal member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1962 to 1976 and a state minister in the Lewis and Willis governments.

Ruddock was educated at Barker College in the suburb of Hornsby before attending the University of Sydney, after which he practised as a solicitor. He was articled to the firm Berne, Murray and Tout and was promoted to partner.[4]

From 1973 to 1974, Ruddock was the federal president of the Young Liberals.[5]

Political career

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Early career, Member of Parliament and first term in Government 1973–1996

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Ruddock shortly after his election in 1973

On 22 September 1973, Ruddock was elected to the House of Representatives at a by-election for the seat of Parramatta. He narrowly held it at the 1974 general election, but was returned with a large swing in 1975. A redistribution ahead of the 1977 election, however, split Parramatta almost in half. The western half retained the Parramatta name and became a marginal Labor seat anchored in heavily pro-Labor west Sydney. The eastern half, including most of the old Parramatta's Liberal-friendly areas, became the comfortably safe Liberal seat of Dundas.[6][7] Ruddock transferred to Dundas, a move that proved prescient. While his Labor opponent from 1975, John Brown, won Parramatta with a small swing, Ruddock won Dundas resoundingly. He held it without serious difficulty until its abolition in 1993. Ruddock then transferred to the equally safe seat of Berowra, a seat he held for the remainder of his federal political career.[4]

Shadow Minister (1983–1996)

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Ruddock was a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry from 1983 to 1985 and from 1989 to 1996. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he was an active member of the parliamentary group of Amnesty International. In 2000, Ruddock was disavowed by Amnesty International due to the treatment of refugees by the Howard government and asked not to wear his Amnesty International badge while performing ministerial duties.[8]

While Ruddock was still a backbencher, the Leader of the Opposition, John Howard, commented that he believed the rate of Asian immigration was too high. The Hawke Labor government sought to introduced a motion to Parliament to ensure that immigration did not discriminate on the basis of race. Ruddock along with fellow Liberals Steele Hall and Ian Macphee crossed the floor to support the Labor motion.[9][10] In 1989, following Andrew Peacock's ascension to the leadership, Ruddock became Shadow Minister for Immigration and proposed a settlement scheme for Australia's far north.[11]

Cabinet Minister, second term in Government (1996–2007)

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Minister for Immigration

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Following the Coalition's rise to government at the 1996 election, Ruddock was appointed Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Following the 1998 election, Ruddock was promoted to Cabinet. In this role, he administered the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and presided over the Howard government's policies on asylum seekers. During his time in office, the previous Keating Labor government's practice of mandatory detention of asylum seekers was continued and extended. In October 1999, the Australian government introduced Temporary Protection Visas for persons who applied for refugee status after making an unauthorised arrival in Australia, and was the main type of visa issued to refugees when released from Australian immigration detention facilities. Many Afghan and Iraqi refugees who are not Australian citizens were affected by this policy.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs

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Ruddock was appointed to the role of Minister for Indigenous Affairs, in 2001. By 2001 he had become a high-profile figure enjoying considerable support within the Liberal Party, while being strongly opposed by left-wing activists and some human rights advocates.

Ruddock's "Pacific Solution" – which prevented asylum seekers receiving legal access – was condemned by Human Rights Watch as contravening international law, as being a human rights violation: Oxfam and the UNHCR (United Nations refugee agency) agreed with this viewpoint.[12]

Ruddock's decisions were highly controversial and led to Amnesty International's public attempt to distance the organisation from him by asking him to remove his lapel badge.[8][13]

In 2003, Ruddock was accused by the Labor immigration spokesperson, Julia Gillard, of personally intervening to give a Filipino with a criminal record, Dante Tan, favourable treatment in exchange for donations to the Liberal Party.[14] Ruddock denied that there was a connection between the donations and his actions, and noted that the donation had been properly declared.[15] In 2004, an Australian Federal Police investigation cleared Ruddock of any wrongdoing, and a Senate inquiry, composed of a majority of Labor members, found that "there was no way to determine whether Mr Ruddock was influenced by money to grant visas."[16]

Attorney-General

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In 2003, Ruddock was Attorney-General in a cabinet reshuffle. On 27 May 2004, Ruddock introduced the Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill to prevent any possible court rulings allowing same-sex marriages or civil unions.[17]

Ruddock defended a decision to deny a gay veteran's partner a spousal pension, despite their 38-year same-sex relationship.

The UN Human Rights Commission found the Australian government in violation of equality and privacy rights under the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, but Ruddock insisted the government was not bound by the ruling.[18]

In May 2006, Ruddock blocked a gay Australian man from marrying in Europe.

Ruddock refused to grant a gay man living in the Netherlands a 'Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage' document required by some European countries before marriage, to prove foreigners are in fact single. Under Ruddock's instructions, no such documents were to be released to gay and lesbians individuals intending to marry overseas.[19]

In July 2007, he remarked that Australia needs to improve its legislation to deal with pro-terrorist literature and media. "People who may be susceptible to carrying out a terrorist act ought not to be instructed in how to do it, how to use household products to produce a bomb, or be encouraged to think about violent jihad and taking their own life", he said.[20]

In 2007 Ruddock and the New South Wales Right to Life Association complained to the Australian Classification Board about the sale in Australia of The Peaceful Pill Handbook by Philip Nitschke and Fiona Stewart.[21] The book provides information on assisted death and voluntary euthanasia. The complaint resulted in the book's banning from sale in Australia. Nitschke commented that "No other country in the world ... has gone down this path – Australia stands alone" and that the Ruddock's action represented a "significant erosion to the free speech principle and it's extremely disappointing".

Opposition, 2007–2013

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Following the November 2007 election, Ruddock did not seek a shadow cabinet role and returned to the backbench.

He returned to the frontbench as Shadow Cabinet Secretary after Tony Abbott captured the Opposition leadership in December 2009. The Coalition was returned to government in 2013.

Third term in government and retirement, 2013–2016

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Ruddock in Parliament, 2016

Ruddock was named the Chief Government Whip in the House of Representatives in the Abbott government, which took office on 18 September 2013.

Ruddock was replaced as Chief Government Whip by Queensland MP Scott Buchholz on 13 February 2015.[22][23]

On 27 May 2015, Ruddock was appointed to the new office of Special Envoy for Citizenship and Community Engagement.[24] The office was created in the wake of controversial proposals by the government to strip sole Australian nationals of their citizenship.

On 8 February 2016, Ruddock announced that he would not contest the next federal election and would be retiring from politics.

On 8 February 2016, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced that Ruddock would be appointed Australia's first special envoy for human rights.[25]

Post parliamentary career

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Ruddock has served as the Special Envoy for Human Rights since 8 February 2016.[needs update] During this period he has represented Australia abroad for the promotion and protections of Human Rights.[1]

In August 2017, Ruddock announced his candidacy for Mayor of Hornsby Shire and was declared elected on 16 September 2017.[26][27]

In November 2017, Ruddock accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to chair a review of religious freedoms in Australia in light of the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey and the introduction into federal parliament a private member's bill to enact the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017.[28][29][30]

In February 2018, Ruddock was elected as the state president of the Liberal Party NSW Division.[31][32]

In August 2024 Ruddock lost Liberal Party pre-selection for the position of Mayor for the 2024 Local Government election and retired at the same election.[33]

Personal life

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Ruddock is married with two children.

Ruddock's daughters found it difficult to reconcile their father's hard line on immigration with the values of compassion they were raised with.[34][35][36]

References

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  1. ^ a b Bishop, Julie (8 February 2016). "Special Envoy for Human Rights" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  2. ^ Glasgow, Will (14 September 2015). "Malcolm Turnbull intervenes to save the Festival of Philip Ruddock". AFR Weekend. Australia. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  3. ^ corporateName=Commonwealth Parliament; address=Parliament House, Canberra. "Hon Philip Ruddock MP". aph.gov.au. Retrieved 3 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b c "Hon Philip Ruddock MP". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  5. ^ "History: Former Office Bearers". Young Liberals. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  6. ^ Bowe, William (2016). "Parramatta". The Poll Bludger. Crikey Media. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  7. ^ Bowe, William (2016). "Berowra". The Poll Bludger. Crikey Media. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  8. ^ a b Kirk, Alexandra (18 March 2000). "Ruddock stripped of amnesty International badge". Australia: AM: ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  9. ^ Mr Hawke, Prime Minister (25 August 1988). "IMMIGRATION POLICY: Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders". House of Representatives Official Hansard. Vol. 162. Commonwealth of Australia: House of Representatives. p. 402. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
  10. ^ Parkinson, Tony (21 June 2005). "Howard turns dissent into democracy". The Age. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
  11. ^ Ward, Ian (August 1990). "Australian Political Chronicle: July–December 1989". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 36 (2): 235. ISSN 0004-9522.[better source needed]
  12. ^ Streatfield, D. (2011) A History of the World Since 9/11, Chapter 2., pp.70–73
  13. ^ Radcliffe, Russ, ed. (2 February 2005). "The transformation of Philip Ruddock". New Matilda. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  14. ^ Banham, Cynthia; Riley, Mark (27 June 2003). "Ruddock's friend accused of taking $220,000". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  15. ^ Banham, Cynthia (18 September 2003). "Inquiry told of agent's 50% strike rate with Ruddock". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  16. ^ Banham, Cynthia (1 April 2004). "Ruddock cleared amid obstruction claims". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  17. ^ "Marriage Amendment Bill 2004". Parliament of Australia. 24 June 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  18. ^ "Denied a pension after 20 years, gay man heads to UN – National – smh.com.au". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  19. ^ "Govt defends block to same sex marriage (January 18, 2006 – 9:29 am)". The Age. Melbourne, Australia. 18 January 2006. Archived from the original on 8 February 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2007.
  20. ^ Ruddock, Philip (27 July 2007). "Toughen up on terrorism". Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  21. ^ "Classification board bans Nitschke assisted suicide book". Australia: ABC News. 25 February 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  22. ^ Uhlmann, Chris; Kirk, Alexandra; Glenday, James (13 February 2015). "Philip Ruddock sacked as chief government whip in wake of spill motion against Tony Abbott". Australia: ABC News. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  23. ^ Kenny, Mark (13 February 2015). "Coalition elder statesman Philip Ruddock axed as Chief Whip following Liberal Party spill attempt". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  24. ^ Ruddock, Phillip (27 May 2015). "Philip Ruddock appointed Special Envoy for Citizenship and Community Engagement". Radio National Breakfast (Interview). Interviewed by Fran Kelly. Radio National, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  25. ^ "Ruddock retires, gets envoy role". 9news.com.au. 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 9 February 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  26. ^ Robertson, James (9 September 2017). "Former federal MP Philip Ruddock to be Hornsby Mayor". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  27. ^ "Hornsby Mayoral Contest". NSW Electoral Commission. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024. Philip RUDDOCK (LIB) was declared elected as Mayor on 16 September 2017.
  28. ^ Borys, Stephanie (22 November 2017). "Philip Ruddock to review religious protections amid same-sex marriage debate". Australia: ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  29. ^ Hutchens, Gareth (22 November 2017). "Philip Ruddock to examine if Australian law protects religious freedom". The Guardian. Australia. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  30. ^ Koziol, Michael (2 January 2018). "Public submissions to Philip Ruddock's review of religious freedom to be kept secret". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  31. ^ "Our President". Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020. The Hon Philip Ruddock
  32. ^ Rabe, Tom (26 February 2018). "Ruddock elected NSW Liberal president". Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  33. ^ Maddison, Max (5 August 2024). "Philip Ruddock ousted as Hornsby mayor, points finger at 'property developer interests'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024. The online preselection took place at 6pm on Monday, and councillor Warren Waddell emerged victorious with 164 votes to Ruddock's 104.
  34. ^ O'Malley, Nick (16 September 2002). "How Ruddock's policy helped drive daughter overseas". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  35. ^ Douez, Sophie (17 September 2002). "Ruddock tells daughter: 'I care, too'". The Age. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  36. ^ "The Gatekeeper". Australian story. Interviewed by Caroline Jones. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 22 April 2007.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Philip Ruddock.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Immigration and Multicultural
and Indigenous Affairs
1996–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Attorney-General for Australia
2003–2007 		Succeeded by
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Father of the Parliament
1998–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Father of the House of Representatives
1998–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member for Parramatta
1973–1977 		Succeeded by
New division Member for Dundas
1977–1993 		Division abolished
Preceded by Member for Berowra
1993–2016 		Succeeded by
Civic offices
Preceded by
Steve Russell
 Mayor of Hornsby Shire
2017–2024 		Succeeded by
Warren Waddell

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