Christine Forster is an Australian former local government politician who was a Liberal councillor in the City of Sydney (2012–2021) and the younger sister of former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.[1][2]
Christine Forster | |
|---|---|
| Councillor of the City of Sydney | |
| In office 8 September 2012 – 4 December 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Virginia Flitcroft (m. 2018) |
| Relations | Tony Abbott (brother) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Journalist |
| Website | www |
Forster attended the University of Sydney, completing a Bachelor of Economics. In her time at the University of Sydney, she ran for the Students' Representative Council (SRC) as a Democratic Alliance candidate, and becoming an SRC Representative in 1982.[3][4]
Forster worked as a journalist covering the Australian energy sector for resources information service Platts,[5] was elected to the City of Sydney Council in September 2012[6] and in 2014 announced a plan to run for the New South Wales Legislative Council.[7] Forster has opposed local council amalgamation plans,[8] called for Martin Place to be smoke free,[9][10] and advocated tall buildings[11] and increased street parking in Sydney City.[12] She describes herself as "committed to the principles of common sense government, genuine sustainability, free enterprise and respect for the individual".[5]
Forster lives with her wife Virginia Flitcroft, with whom she has raised money for the Sir David Martin Foundation[13] and campaigned for same-sex marriage.[14] Forster had been married previously.[15][16] In 2013, she attended the launch of the Bingham Cup in Sydney, along with Bruce Notley-Smith, Don Harwin, Malcolm Turnbull, Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales.[17]
Following the 2018 Liberal leadership spill that resulted in the defeat of Malcolm Turnbull, Forster indicated that she would seek preselection as a Liberal candidate for 2018 Wentworth by-election,[18] but later withdrew her nomination.[19]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Killalea, Debra (26 February 2015). "SBS journalist and Mardi Gras host Patrick Abboud reveals rare insight into the life of Tony Abbott's lesbian sister". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ "Christine Forster: Tony Abbott's Openly Gay Sister". The Feed. Special Broadcasting Service. 26 February 2015. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ "Representatives: Democratic Alliance". Honi Soit (16): 14. 1982 – via University of Sydney Library Digital Collections.
- ^ "SRC Election Results". Honi Soit (21): 27. 1982 – via University of Sydney Library Digital Collections.
- ^ a b Christine Forster. "About Me". ChristineForster.com.au.
- ^ "Councillors". City of Sydney.
- ^ Nicholls, Sean (23 September 2014). "Christine Forster, Tony Abbott's sister, launches bid for NSW upper house". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Davies, Anne (3 June 2015). "Prime Minister's sister and City of Sydney Councillor Christine Forster opposes Liberal council amalgamation plans". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Terlato, Peter (2 December 2014). "Smoking Ban in Sydney's Martin Place May Spread To Other Public Spaces in the CBD". Business Insider.
- ^ "Smokers upset at proposed ban in Martin Place". ABC 702 Sydney. 3 December 2014.
- ^ Godfrey, Miles. "Mystery tower: This George St giant will reach for the sky". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney.
- ^ Forster, Christine (30 October 2014). "Clover Moore's anti-car agenda hitting homes". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney.
- ^ Jahshan, Elias (31 October 2014). "An Abseil to Raise Money for Youth Charity". Star Observer.
- ^ Clement, Jessica (26 June 2014). "Ladies in waiting: Tony Abbott's sister Christine Forster makes same-sex marriage statement in Archibalds". news.com.au.
- ^ "Christine Forster reveals insight into life as Tony Abbott's lesbian sister". Star Observer. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "Last piece of the puzzle". The Sydney Morning Herald. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ Bruce Notley-Smith. "Bingham Cup Launch – One Year Out!". notleysmith.com.
- ^ "Christine Forster: Tony Abbott's sister confirms Liberal tilt at Wentworth". Guardian Australia. Australian Associated Press. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Green, Antony. "2018 Wentworth by-election". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
External links edit
- Official website
- "Councillor Christine Forster". City of Sydney website. 13 October 2022.