kids encyclopedia robot

Bill Taylor (naval officer) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Commodore
Bill Taylor
Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories
In office
4 February 1999 – 30 July 2003
Preceded by Ronald Harvey
Succeeded by Evan Williams
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Groom
In office
9 April 1988 – 31 August 1998
Preceded by Tom McVeigh
Succeeded by Ian Macfarlane
Personal details
Born (1938-09-14) 14 September 1938 (age 85)
Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Political party Liberal
Occupation Naval officer
Military service
Allegiance Australia
Branch/service Royal Australian Navy
Years of service 1957–1988
Rank Commodore

Commodore William Leonard Taylor, AM (born 14 September 1938) is a former Australian naval officer and politician. He was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, resigning to run for federal parliament. He represented the Liberal Party in the House of Representatives from 1988 to 1998, holding the Queensland seat of Groom. He later served as administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories from 1999 to 2003.

Early life

Taylor was born on 14 September 1938 in Toowoomba, Queensland. He attended Toowoomba Grammar School. He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts from the Campaspe College of Adult Education and Master of Literature from the University of New England.

Military career

Taylor joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1957. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1971, commander in 1974, captain in 1981 and commodore in 1986.

Later activities

From 1999 to 2003 Taylor served as administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories, based on Christmas Island. His tenure was relatively eventful, including the Tampa affair of 2001, a possible typhoid outbreak, and the creation of the Christmas Island Detention Centre.

kids search engine
Bill Taylor (naval officer) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.