Malcolm Turnbull is Australia's 29th Prime Minister. He was appointed to this post in 2015. Turnbull belongs to the moderate wing of the Liberal Party and adheres to non-conservative views on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Before joining politics, he was a journalist, lawyer, investment banker, venture capitalist, and chairman of the Australian Republican Movement. Turnbull became a multimillionaire in the 90s, having successfully invested in shares of Internet provider Ozemail.
Childhood and education
The ancestors of Malcolm Turnbull settled in Australia at the beginning of the 19th century. He was born in Sydney in 1954. Turnbull suffered from asthma as a child. From the age of 9 he was raised by his father, as his mother left the family.
After graduating from school, Turnbull entered the University of Sydney and received a bachelor's degree in law. He combined study and work as a political journalist on television and radio. Turnbull won the Rhodes International Fellowship and continued his education at Oxford University, where he received a bachelor's degree in civil law. At the same time, he worked as a correspondent for several British, American, and Australian newspapers.
Career
After receiving a diploma from the University of Oxford, Turnbull returned to Australia and began working as a barrister (the so-called high-ranking lawyer in countries with the Anglo-Saxon system of law). Having won several high-profile trials in the courts, he founded his own law firm.
In 1987, Turnbull decided to try his hand at the financial sector. Together with several partners, he created an investment company. The company has been operating successfully for almost ten years. Turnbull was subsequently invited to the post of Managing Director of the Australian branch of Goldman Sachs, one of the largest financial institutions in the world.
Republican movement
Australia is ruled by a British monarch who appoints the Governor General of the country as his representative. Turnbull has consistently advocated a change in this order. For several years, he served as chairman of the Australian Republican Movement. This organization seeks to grant the country independence and termination of participation in the government of the British Queen. An important episode of the political biography of Malcolm Turnbull was his active assistance in holding a referendum on the creation of the Australian Republic in 1999. Supporters of independence were defeated.
Work in parliament and cabinet
In 2008, Turnbull became the leader of the Liberal Party, defeating his rival with a minimum margin. Shortly before the election, he publicly admitted that he smoked marijuana in his youth. No Australian politician, except Turnbull, has made such statements. At the time of his election, the Liberal Party was in opposition to the current government. In 2013, Turnbull was appointed Secretary of Communications. In this position, he was involved in the development of the National Broadband Network project.
Led by the government
The Prime Minister of Australia is appointed by the proposal of the Governor General. The current official representative of the British crown, Sir Peter Cosgrove, sworn Turnbull in September 2015. The Prime Minister of Australia is the most important political figure in the state. Turnbull differs from its predecessor, Tony Abbott, in supporting gay marriage and a commitment to turning the country into a republic.
International relationships
The change of Australian Prime Minister does not lead to a review of state foreign policy. This is due to the country's strong dependence on such influential powers as the United States and Great Britain. In international affairs, Australia generally follows their course.
The media reported an incident between Turnbull and Donald Trump shortly after the latter was elected President of the United States. The previous US administration guaranteed Australia assistance in resolving the refugee problem. Trump, in a telephone conversation with Turnbull, rudely refused to keep these promises and hung up. Later, both parties announced a settlement of the conflict.
The crash of the Boeing MH17
In relation to Russia, Malcolm Turnbull differs little from his predecessor, Tony Abbott, who is known for harsh remarks addressed to President Vladimir Putin. Relations between the two countries were complicated after the deaths of Australian citizens on board a plane of a Malaysian airline, shot down in the airspace of Ukraine. Tony Abbott spoke of Russia's involvement in the incident. After being appointed prime minister, Turnbull also made similar statements. Political tensions do not threaten economic consequences, since the trade turnover between Australia and Russia is a very small amount.
Personal life
Turnbull has been married for 37 years. His wife Lucy is a successful entrepreneur. The couple has a son, daughter and two grandchildren. By faith, Turnbull is a Catholic. But the prime minister has a difficult relationship with the church due to his support for abortion and same-sex marriage.