Wikipedia

Georgina Downer

Georgina Mary Beatrice Downer (born 29 September 1979 in Brussels, Belgium)[2] is an Australian political figure and Director of the Robert Menzies Institute. She has unsuccessfully contested several elections, and is a lawyer and former diplomat.[3][4][5][6]

Georgina Downer
Born
Georgina Mary Beatrice Downer[1]

(1979-09-29) 29 September 1979 (age 44)
Brussels
NationalityAustralian
OccupationLawyer
Known forMember of the Downer family, political candidate
SpouseWill Heath
Children2
Parents

Early life and education edit

Downer was born in Brussels in 1979 to Nicky and Alexander Downer. Her father, later leader of the opposition, was based in Belgium as a diplomat. Nicky had been a journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).[7][8] She is a member of the Downer political family, with several family members active in political life.[9]

After graduating from Seymour College in 1997, Downer moved from Adelaide to study law at the University of Melbourne.[10][11] In 2005, Downer won a Chevening Scholarship to study at the London School of Economics, where she graduated with a master's degree.[12][13][14][15]

Working life edit

Downer joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a graduate trainee in 2007, later spending four years in Japan. Working at the Australian Embassy, she reached the position of second secretary.[14][11][16]

Politics edit

In 2015, Downer was linked in the media to the Senate seat vacated by Michael Ronaldson; and as a possible replacement for Kevin Andrews in the seat of Menzies. In 2016, she was mooted as a possible replacement for Bruce Billson in the seat of Dunkley.[17][18][19]

Downer contested the Liberal pre-selection for the seat of Goldstein in 2016, but was defeated by Tim Wilson.[20][21][22]

She was the endorsed Liberal candidate for the seat of Mayo in the Australian House of Representatives in the 2018 by-election and in the 2019 general election, but both times was unsuccessful.[23][24][25][26][27][28] Her promotion of the funding of a sports grant while a candidate, instead of the current member for the seat, Rebekha Sharkie, was a key initiating factor in the public coverage of the sports rorts affair of 2020.[29][30] Downer returned to Melbourne shortly after her 2019 defeat.

Personal life edit

Downer married Will Heath, a lawyer with King & Wood Mallesons, in 2009. The couple had met at university in 2000. They have two children.[28][31][32]

Electoral history edit

Federal edit

Election year Electorate Party Votes FP% 2PP% Result
2018 Mayo Liberal 33,219 37.44%   0.32 42.47%   2.56 Second
2019 42,426 37.65%   1.03 44.86%   2.22 Second

References edit

  1. ^ Downer, Alick (2012). The Downers of South Australia (PDF). p. vii. ISBN 978-1-74305-199-3. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Family Notices". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 October 1979. p. 28. Retrieved 9 April 2020 – via Trove.
  3. ^ Castello, Renato; Pisani, Ashleigh (19 May 2019). "Australia Decides 2019 - Curtain falls on Downer dynasty". Sunday Mail. p. 14.
  4. ^ Green, Antony (16 August 2018). "2018 Mayo by-election". July 2018 Federal By-elections. ABC News. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Downer to sever ties with state". The Advertiser. 6 November 2019. p. 13.
  6. ^ Starick, Paul (25 May 2019). "Two failed shots at Mayo, now for Game of Thrones, family and deadlifting". The Advertiser. p. 31.
  7. ^ Tom, McIlroy (17 May 2018). "Georgina Downer: Dyed in the wool Tory from the age of 6". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  8. ^ Jean, Peter (18 July 2018). "Howard warns of Sharkie vote 'risk'". The Advertiser.
  9. ^ "Why some children of famous people succeed while others 'fall from grace'". ABC News. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  10. ^ "A perfect Downer". Herald Sun. 7 January 1998. p. 12.
  11. ^ a b "Adelaide to Tokyo no Downer for Georgina". The Advertiser. 7 November 2016. p. 21.
  12. ^ "Up for Downer". Financial Times. 11 August 2005.
  13. ^ Maynard, Roger (11 August 2005). "Scholarship for minister's daughter causes uproar". The Times. p. 34.
  14. ^ a b Wallace, Rick (30 March 2015). "Downer dynasty set for another go". The Australian.
  15. ^ Burke, Nicolette (10 August 2005). "Downer defends grant". The Age. p. 2.
  16. ^ "Leg-up for a Downer". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 March 2007. p. 24.
  17. ^ Hudson, Phillip (19 December 2015). "Retiring Lib senator opens way for women". The Weekend Australian. p. 4.
  18. ^ van Onselen, Peter (12 March 2016). "Diminishing sparkle of the jewel in the Liberals' crown". The Weekend Australian.
  19. ^ "Fight's on for seats". Herald Sun. 19 February 2016. p. 8.
  20. ^ Coorey, Philip (12 February 2016). "Downer scion leads race for Robb's seat". Australian Financial Review. p. 6.
  21. ^ Aston, Joe; Glasgow, Will (17 February 2016). "Kennett backs Downer in Goldstein seat". Australian Financial Review.
  22. ^ "Tim Wilson, former Human Rights Commissioner, wins Liberal preselection in seat of Goldstein". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Australian Associated Press. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  23. ^ Smith, Matt (30 July 2018). "Bullying claims as Mayo battle ends on a Downer". The Advertiser. p. 5.
  24. ^ Wright, Tony (14 July 2018). "Sharks circling for a homecoming queen". The Age. p. 22.
  25. ^ Wright, Tony (28 July 2018). "Downer slams 'abuse and hatred' aimed at aspiring politician daughter". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Downer's savouring Mayo". The Advertiser. 28 January 2017. p. 35.
  27. ^ ABC radio, Adelaide (6 November 2019). "Liberal candidate Georgina Downer to return to Victoria after twice failing to win SA seat of Mayo". ABC News. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  28. ^ a b Penberthy, David (6 November 2019). "Georgina Downer gives up on Mayo, returns to Victoria". The Australian. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  29. ^ Remeikis, Amy; Karp, Paul (12 March 2020). "From novelty cheque to full-blown scandal: a timeline of the sports rorts saga". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  30. ^ MacLennan, Leah (16 May 2019). "Is a high profile a help or a hindrance for candidates in an election?". ABC News. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  31. ^ Black, Elisa (26 April 2009). "Downer daughter's delight". Sunday Mail.
  32. ^ Devlin, Rebekah (25 April 2009). "Geese in on act". The Advertiser. p. 28.
  

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