Scott Ryan (Australian politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Scott Ryan
Official portrait, 2021
26th High Commissioner of Australia to Canada
In office 20 December 2021 – December 2024
Prime Minister	Scott Morrison Anthony Albanese
Preceded by	Natasha Smith
Succeeded by	Kate Logan
25th President of the Australian Senate
In office 13 November 2017 – 13 October 2021
Deputy	Sue Lines
Preceded by	Stephen Parry
Succeeded by	Slade Brockman
Special Minister of State
In office 19 July 2016 – 13 November 2017
Preceded by	Mathias Cormann
Succeeded by	Mathias Cormann (acting)
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cabinet
In office 24 January 2017 – 13 November 2017
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by	Himself (as Minister Assisting the Cabinet Secretary)
Minister Assisting the Cabinet Secretary
In office 15 September 2015 – 24 January 2017
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by	new title
Succeeded by	Himself (as Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cabinet)
Minister for Vocational Education and Skills
In office 18 February 2016 – 19 July 2016
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by	Luke Hartsuyker
Succeeded by	Karen Andrews (as Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills)
Senator for Victoria
In office 1 July 2008 – 13 October 2021
Succeeded by	Greg Mirabella
Personal details
Born	Scott Michael Ryan (1973-05-12) 12 May 1973 (age 52) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Liberal
Alma mater	University of Melbourne

Scott Michael Ryan (born 12 May 1973) is an Australian politician and diplomat who is no longer in office. He was a Senator for Victoria from 2008 to 2021. He was part of the Liberal Party of Australia.

Scott Ryan served as a minister in the Turnbull government from 2016 to 2017. After that, he became the President of the Senate from 2017 to 2021. He left the Senate to become the High Commissioner of Australia to Canada. He held this important diplomatic role from 2021 to 2024.

Early Life and Education

Scott Ryan was born on 12 May 1973, in Brisbane, Queensland. He grew up in Essendon, Victoria. He went to St Kevin's College, Melbourne. Later, he studied at the University of Melbourne, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

While at university, he was the president of the Melbourne University Liberal Club. He was also a member of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation.

Early Career Before Politics

From 1998 to 1999, Scott Ryan worked as a tutor in political science at the University of Melbourne. He then became a speechwriter and staff member for the Victorian opposition leader, Denis Napthine.

Between 2002 and 2007, he worked in corporate affairs for a pharmaceutical company called GlaxoSmithKline. Before entering politics, he was a research fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs from 2007 to 2008.

Political Career

Scott Ryan was an important member of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party. He held the position of vice president.

He was first elected as a Senator for Victoria in the 2007 federal election. His term began on 1 July 2008. He was re-elected in the 2013 election and again in the 2016 Australian federal election.

Serving as a Government Minister

After the 2013 Australian federal election, Scott Ryan was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education. This role later expanded to include training.

From February to July 2016, he served as the Minister for Vocational Education and Skills. In March 2016, he shared his opinion against the federal government taking over vocational education from the states.

He was later appointed as the Special Minister for State. He also took on more duties as the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cabinet. In July 2017, Scott Ryan took time off for medical reasons after an illness.

Becoming President of the Senate

On 13 November 2017, Scott Ryan was chosen to be the President of the Senate. He won the vote with 53 votes against 11 for Senator Peter Whish-Wilson. He resigned from his ministerial roles to take on this new position.

His predecessor, Stephen Parry, had resigned because he found out he was also a citizen of the United Kingdom. Scott Ryan was the first former government minister to become President of the Senate since 1987. He was also the first person to resign from a ministry to take this role. At 44 years old, he became the youngest person to become President of the Senate.

Scott Ryan continued to be part of the Liberal party meetings during his time as President. However, he did not take part in debates. After the 2019 Australian federal election, he was re-elected as President on 2 July 2019. He was well-respected by politicians from different parties.

In August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he spoke out about the quarantine rules in states and territories. He believed they limited the rights of politicians.

In March 2020, Scott Ryan announced he would leave federal parliament. He did not want to serve another six-year term. He officially resigned from the Senate on 13 October 2021.

High Commissioner to Canada

On 20 December 2021, it was announced that Scott Ryan would become the High Commissioner to Canada. This is a diplomatic role where he represented Australia in Canada. He took over from Natasha Smith. His term as High Commissioner ended in December 2024.

Political Views

In 2018, Scott Ryan described his political views as "very liberal" but with a "conservative" approach. He was connected to a group within the Victorian Liberals. After a Liberal candidate lost an election, he encouraged the party to keep its different ideas and opinions.

Personal Life

Scott Ryan is married to Helen, and they have two sons. They live in Melbourne.

See also

In Spanish: Scott Ryan para niños