Georgina Downer

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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

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]

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% Decrease 0.32 42.47% Decrease 2.56 Second
2019 42,426 37.65% Increase 1.03 44.86% Decrease 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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