Malcolm Turnbull – Federal Member for Wentworth, Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband

Malcolm and Lucy have lived in Wentworth all their lives, they raised their family here and know the strength and the diversity of the local community

Malcolm grew up in Vaucluse and Double Bay in the 1950s and 1960s and for much of his childhood, his father, Bruce, was a single parent.

Malcolm was educated at Vaucluse Public School and Sydney Grammar School. Malcolm’s high school education at Sydney Grammar was assisted by a scholarship.

Seventeen years ago Malcolm arranged for an additional means tested scholarship to be established at Sydney Grammar in memory of his late father.

Malcolm graduated from Sydney University with a BA LLB. He won a Rhodes Scholarship and completed a further law degree at Oxford.

During and after his studies at Sydney University, Malcolm worked as a journalist with the Bulletin, 2SM, TCN 9 and the London Sunday Times.

After a successful career in journalism Malcolm began practicing law in 1980. He quickly established a reputation as an effective advocate, most notably when he successfully defended former MI5 agent Peter Wright against the British Government, in the “Spycatcher†trial.

Malcolm left law for business in 1987 where he has since been responsible for the establishment and success of many Australian businesses. In particular he has been a determined supporter of Australian technology. He co-founded OzEmail in 1994. His software companies have won many awards for exporting Australian technology.

In 1997 Malcolm was elected to attend the Australian Constitutional Convention. He led the republican case in that Convention and in the subsequent referendum.

Malcolm has initiated numerous policy and research projects in areas such as education, indigenous affairs, home ownership affordability, balancing work and family responsibilities and national population and fertility policy. He has been Chair of the Menzies Research Centre since 2001.

Malcolm married Lucy Hughes in 1980. Their two children, Alex and Daisy attended local schools and have now completed University.

Lucy and Malcolm have been partners not only in marriage but also in their many businesses. Lucy was the first female Lord Mayor of Sydney, a position she held until early 2004.

At the Federal election on 9 October 2004, Malcolm was elected as the Member for Wentworth and upon entering Parliament, he joined the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade as well as the House of Representatives Standing Committees on Economics, Health and Ageing and Legal and Constitutional Affairs. On 27 January 2006, Malcolm was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and just over twelve months later, he was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Environment and Water Resources; a position he held until the Federal Election on 24 November 2007.

On 6 December 2007, Malcolm was appointed as Shadow Treasurer and following a leadership ballot in September 2008, he was elected by his colleagues to lead the Liberal Party as Leader of the Opposition, a position held until 1 December 2009.

Malcolm will be discussing with us his views and approach to the NBN and the communications portfolio as well as Coalition policy as it pertains to small businesses in Australia.

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Expert commentary to be provided by…

Scott Rhodie – Digital Communications Manager (to May 2013). NBN Co

Scott will share with us his perspective on Malcolm’s interview based upon his years of service with NBN Co and his technical acumen.

Scott has held senior digital strategy positions at several companies, including NBN where he was tasked with informing Australia about the NBN roll-out.

An ex-journalist, Scott is now a social media guru with keen insights into the online landscape and how to effectively build traffic to build your brand.

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Reuben Buchanan – Axstra Capital | Wholesale Investor

Having owned and operated several of his own successful companies and having interviewed some of Australia’s most successful entrepreneur’s Reuben is uniquely well placed to comment on Malcolm’s interview from the perspective of Australian business owners.

Reuben has been interviewed by the Financial Review, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Sky Business and Switzer. He has appeared as a keynote speaker for the ASX, CSIRO, Ausbiotech, AIM, CPA and Sydney University.

Reuben is an entrepreneur and specialist in the fields of investment and corporate finance. He has also through his magazine Wealth Creator personally interviewed many entrepreneurs including Richard Branson, John Ihan and Gerry Harvey.

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Peter Hackney - City News

The editor of Sydney’s independent inner city weekly newspaper City News, Peter is an expert on inner city politics and an experienced reporter of local community, government and business issues.

A Queenslander by birth, Peter was drawn to Sydney by the Olympic flame in the year 2000 and has been in love with the city ever since.

“Nowhere else offers the same unique combination of vibrant economy, natural beauty, pumping street life and quirky, independent culture,†he says. Although that doesn’t stop him going for Queensland in the State of Origin!

He is particularly passionate about the multicultural, multi-ethnic nature of Sydney and the way it’s become a true crossroads of the world.

When not reporting on Harbour City happenings, Peter might be found bushwalking in the Blue Mountains, snorkeling at Clovelly, browsing one of Newtown or Glebe’s bookshops, or maybe having a Scotch and Soda in one of Sydney’s cosy small bars.

His favourite book is Sydney by Jan Morris.

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