John Anderson (Australian politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Anderson
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| Deputy Prime Minister of Australia | |
| In office 20 July 1999 – 6 July 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Tim Fischer |
| Succeeded by | Mark Vaile |
| Leader of the National Party | |
| In office 20 July 1999 – 23 June 2005 |
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| Deputy | Mark Vaile |
| Preceded by | Tim Fischer |
| Succeeded by | Mark Vaile |
| Minister for Transport and Regional Development | |
| In office 21 October 1998 – 6 July 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Mark Vaile |
| Succeeded by | Warren Truss |
| Deputy Leader of the National Party | |
| In office 23 March 1993 – 20 July 1999 |
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| Leader | Tim Fischer |
| Preceded by | Bruce Lloyd |
| Succeeded by | Mark Vaile |
| Minister for Primary Industries and Energy | |
| In office 11 March 1996 – 21 October 1998 |
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| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Bob Collins |
| Succeeded by | Mark Vaile |
| Member of Parliament for Gwydir |
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| In office 15 April 1989 – 17 October 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Ralph Hunt |
| Succeeded by | Division abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 November 1956 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | National Party of Australia |
| Spouse | Julia Robertson |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | The King's School, Parramatta, University of Sydney |
John Duncan Anderson (born 14 November 1956) is an Australian politician and public speaker. He was the 11th Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the National Party from 1999 to 2005. He also served as a government minister in the Howard government.
As a minister and later Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson was in charge of important areas. These included policies for farming, transport, and water rights for agriculture. He was also part of Australia's National Security Committee from 1999 to 2005. This committee dealt with major events like the War on terror and the Bali bombings.
After leaving politics, Anderson has shared his ideas on many topics. These include freedom, making sure everyone has enough food, and fighting modern slavery. In 2017, he started an online interview show called Conversations with John Anderson. On this show, he talks with important thinkers. He has also supported some traditional social ideas, like the "no" campaign in the 2023 Australian referendum. He also helped start the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship.
Contents
Early Life and School
John Anderson was born in Sydney, Australia, on 14 November 1956. His family had been farmers and landowners in Mullaley, New South Wales, since the 1840s. His father, Duncan Anderson, served in the Australian Light Horse during World War II.
When John was three, his mother passed away. Later, when he was 13, his sister Jane also passed away in an accident while they were playing cricket at home. John has said his family's religious background was "very, very nominal Presbyterian."
John was taught at home by his aunt, Margaret, for some time. He then went to Gunnedah South Public School and The King's School in Sydney.
He started studying arts and law at the University of Sydney. He later focused on arts and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. After university, he returned to his family's farm to work as a farmer. During this time, he also completed a Master of Arts degree.
Starting His Political Career
John Anderson became involved in politics in 1984. He became the leader of the National Party's local branch in Tambar Springs. In 1989, a local politician named Ralph Hunt retired. Hunt supported Anderson to take his place in the area called Gwydir. Anderson won the election and became a Member of Parliament.
His first speech in Parliament was on 17 August 1989. After the 1990 election, Anderson worked as a special assistant to John Howard, who was then a Shadow Minister. In 1993, Anderson was chosen as the deputy leader of the Nationals. He also became the Shadow Minister for Primary Industry. In this role, he spoke out against the government's wool pricing system.
Becoming a Cabinet Minister
In the 1996 Australian federal election, John Anderson and John Howard promised to create a $1 billion fund. This fund would help improve the country's land and stop problems like soil degradation. After the election, Anderson became the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy. He was also part of a small group of ministers who had to find ways to cut government spending. Anderson argued that some areas, like fuel rebates for farmers and agricultural research, should be protected from cuts because they help the country grow.
Minister for Primary Industries and Energy
Anderson was the Minister for Primary Industries for three years. During this time, the government changed many rules for farming industries. They removed government controls on wool, wheat, and dairy. They also made many parts of the meat and livestock industry private. Anderson led a group of Australian business leaders to Taiwan in 1996.
The government-owned Australian Wool Corporation had a lot of unsold wool and a large debt. Anderson's government gave wool farmers $300 million to help. By 2001, the wool-owning company became fully private.
In 1997, Anderson announced big changes for the meat and livestock industry. These changes were mostly supported by farmers. In 1998, a new organization called Meat & Livestock Australia was created. Its goal was to be a cheaper, farmer-owned group that provided services.
Minister for Transport and Regional Development
In September 1997, Anderson also became the Minister for Transport and Regional Development. This meant he was in charge of improving national rail, road, and water systems. He helped create the Australian Rail Track Corporation. This is a government body that manages much of Australia's train network.
In 1998, some people in the National Party were unhappy with government decisions. To address this, Anderson and Tim Fischer offered to step down from their leadership roles. They then ran again and were re-elected without anyone opposing them.
During the 1998 federal election, Anderson faced a tough challenge in his local area. Many people were thinking of voting for a new party. He still won, but with fewer votes than usual. He said this was because he traveled a lot for his job.
Deputy Prime Minister
After Tim Fischer resigned, John Anderson was chosen as the new leader of the Nationals. He became the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia on 20 July 1999. He continued to be the Minister for Transport and Regional Development. His responsibilities also grew to include delivering government services, like health, to country areas. He also joined the National Security Committee. Anderson sometimes acted as Prime Minister when John Howard was out of the country, for example, during the September 11 attacks and after the 2002 Bali bombings.
In 2002, Anderson suggested making laws against disrespecting the Australian flag.
His department was also responsible for paying money owed to former employees of the airline Ansett Australia when it closed down.
While Anderson was Deputy Prime Minister, the government started the National Water Initiative in 2004. This allowed farmers to get ongoing rights to use water, instead of rights that expired.
In 2004, a politician named Tony Windsor claimed that Anderson had offered him a special job if he gave up his seat in Parliament. Anderson strongly denied these claims. After investigations by different groups, no evidence was found to support Windsor's accusations.
On the last day of Parliament before a break in 2005, Anderson announced he would resign as leader of the National Party and as Deputy Prime Minister. He said it was for "health reasons." Mark Vaile took over both positions. Anderson left Parliament at the 2007 federal election.
John Anderson is the last Deputy Prime Minister to have served for at least a full term in Parliament.
After Politics: Business and Media
After leaving politics, John Anderson became the chairman of a company called Eastern Star Gas (ESG) from 2007 to 2011. This company was later bought by Santos. In 2013, he was asked to join a panel to review the Act of Recognition, which reported to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
In the late 2010s, Anderson became more active online. He started a podcast and YouTube channel where he interviews public figures. Some of his guests have included historian Victor Davis Hanson, former chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks, and psychologist Jordan Peterson. He also writes opinion pieces for newspapers and appears on television.
Through his public role, Anderson has shared his views on important national and cultural issues. Before the 2017 Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, he spoke about his opposition to same-sex marriage. He also opposed the Voice to Parliament in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum. He helped form a group with Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Warren Mundine to oppose the Voice, saying it would cause division. The referendum was later defeated.
In March 2021, Anderson considered running for the Senate in the 2022 federal election. However, another candidate won the top spot for the Nationals. Anderson then announced he would not pursue a political comeback.
Anderson also worked with others to create the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. This group aims to give Western society "new cohesion and purpose." He spoke at their first big meeting in London in 2023. He said the group was formed because the Western world was "plagued by self-doubt and confusion" about its values.
Honours and Awards
On 13 June 2011, John Anderson was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This award was for his important service to the Australian Parliament. It recognized his work in supporting country areas, transport, and water management.
In 2019, Anderson was chosen as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE). This was for his work in finding sustainable ways to use agriculture in rural Australia.
In June 2022, Anderson received an even higher honour. He was promoted to Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This award was for his outstanding service to rural development, leadership in agricultural research, and his contributions to public discussion and non-profit groups.
See also
In Spanish: John Anderson (político australiano) para niños
