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Prime Minister - Malcolm Turnbull

Australia had a new prime minister 15 September 2015 after a surprise leadership spill within the nation's ruling Liberal Party. Former communications minister Malcolm Turnbull replaced outgoing leader Tony Abbott in what was described as a "coup" by local media outlets. Tony Abbott was ousted in a party room rebellion led by former communications minister Malcolm Turnbull. Abbott, who has suffered months of poor approval ratings and internal division, was defeated by 54 votes to 44. Abbott’s prime ministership fell apart because he lost the trust of the electorate, and ultimately the governing Liberal Party.

Malcolm Turnbull was sworn in as the 29th Prime Minister of Australia on 15 September 2015. Turnbull pledged to work with parliamentary colleagues to create a government that is "liberal" in the true sense. Since entering Federal politics as the Member for Wentworth in 2004, Turnbull has held a number of parliamentary positions. He was Leader of the Opposition from 16 September 2008 to 1 December 2009 and was later Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband. Most recently, Turnbull was Minister for Communications from 18 September 2013 to 14 September 2015.

For the first time in history, Australia has a seriously rich Prime Minister. The former communications minister made a fortune as a merchant banker before entering parliament. Turnbull was estimated to have a net worth of about $200 million, Turnbull's office was quick to reject the idea of releasing his tax returns voluntarily.

Turnbull grew up in Vaucluse and Double Bay in the 1950s and 1960s and for much of his childhood, his father, Bruce, was a single parent. Turnbull was educated at Vaucluse Public School and Sydney Grammar School. Turnbull’s high school education at Sydney Grammar was assisted by a scholarship. Seventeen years ago Turnbull arranged for an additional means tested scholarship to be established at Sydney Grammar in memory of his late father. Turnbull graduated from Sydney University with a BA LLB. He won a Rhodes Scholarship and completed a further law degree at Oxford.

During and after his studies at Sydney University, Turnbull worked as a journalist with The Bulletin, 2SM, TCN 9 and the London Sunday Times. After a successful career in journalism Turnbull began practicing law in 1980. He quickly established a reputation as an effective advocate, most notably when he successfully defended former MI5 agent Peter Wright against the British Government, in the “Spycatcher” trial.

Turnbull left law for business in 1987 where he has since been responsible for the establishment and success of many Australian businesses. In particular he has been a determined supporter of Australian technology. He co-founded OzEmail in 1994. His software companies have won many awards for exporting Australian technology.

In 1997 Turnbull was elected to attend the Australian Constitutional Convention. He led the republican case in that Convention and in the subsequent referendum.

Turnbull has initiated numerous policy and research projects in areas such as education, indigenous affairs, home ownership affordability, balancing work and family responsibilities and national population and fertility policy. He was Chairman of the Menzies Research Centre between 2002 and 2004.

At the Federal election on 9 October 2004, Turnbull was elected as the Member for Wentworth and upon entering Parliament, he joined the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade as well as the House of Representatives Standing Committees on Economics, Health and Ageing and Legal and Constitutional Affairs. On 27 January 2006, Turnbull was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and just over twelve months later, he was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Environment and Water Resources; a position he held until the Federal Election on 24 November 2007.

On 6 December 2007, Turnbull was appointed as Shadow Treasurer and following a leadership ballot in September 2008, he was elected by his colleagues to lead the Liberal Party as Leader of the Opposition, a position held until 1 December 2009. Turnbull was the Minister for Communications from September 2013 to September 2015. He was elected the leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minster on 14 September 2015.

Malcolm and Lucy live in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and have two grandchildren, Jack and Isla. Malcolm married Lucy Hughes in 1980. Their two children, Alex and Daisy attended local schools and have now completed University. Lucy and Malcolm have been partners not only in marriage but also in their many businesses. Lucy was the first female Lord Mayor of Sydney, a position she held until early 2004.