Michael Tate facts for kids

Michael Carter Tate (born 6 July 1945) is an important Australian figure. He has been a legal expert, a politician, an ambassador, and a Catholic priest. He was also given the high honour of being an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

Early Life and Education

Michael Carter Tate was born in Sydney, Australia, on 6 July 1945.

School and University Studies

He went to St Virgil's College in Hobart, Tasmania. After school, he studied law at the University of Tasmania. He worked very hard and graduated with top honours in 1968. He spent many hours in libraries to achieve this. This was especially true after a serious car accident in 1963. He was in hospital for five months and needed more operations for eight years.

Later, he continued his studies at the University of Oxford in England. In 1971, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology.

Career Journey

Michael Tate has had a varied and interesting career. He has worked in law, politics, and the church.

Starting His Career in Law

From 1972 to 1978, Michael Tate taught law at the University of Tasmania Faculty of Law. He even became the head of the law faculty from 1977 to 1978.

He also gave legal advice to the Tasmanian government. This was for special meetings called Constitutional Conventions between 1973 and 1977. He was also part of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace. This group works for fairness and peace.

Time in Australian Politics

In 1977, Michael Tate was chosen to represent Tasmania in the Australian Senate. The Senate is part of Australia's Parliament. He started his term on 1 July 1978. He was re-elected three more times.

He was the President of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship from 1985 to 1988. This group brings together Christian members of Parliament. From 1987 to 1993, he served as the Minister for Justice. He also held other important government roles. He worked under Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating. He left the Senate on 5 July 1993.

After leaving politics, he became an Australian ambassador. He represented Australia in the Netherlands and at the Holy See (the government of the Catholic Church).

Becoming a Priest

After his time as an ambassador, Michael Tate decided to become a priest. On 19 May 2000, he was ordained as a priest in Hobart. Many important people attended the ceremony. These included former Prime Ministers and a former Governor-General. He even told Pope John Paul II about his plans to become a priest. The Pope was surprised but happy for him.

Since becoming a priest, he has served in several Catholic parishes in Tasmania. He is currently the parish priest of South Hobart. He also holds a senior role as the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Hobart.

Continuing Legal Work

Even while working as a priest, Michael Tate has continued his legal research. He is especially interested in international humanitarian law. This is a set of rules that protect people during armed conflicts. He works part-time as an Honorary Research Professor at the University of Tasmania's Faculty of Law. He was also a member of the Australian Red Cross's International Humanitarian Law Committee.

Awards and Recognition

Michael Tate has received several honours for his work.

In 1992, the University of Tasmania gave him an honorary doctorate. This is a special degree given to people who have achieved great things. In 1996, Charles Sturt University also gave him an honorary doctorate.

In 1996, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This is a very high award in Australia. These awards recognised his important work as the Federal Minister for Justice.