Brian Loughnane
| Brian Loughnane | |
|---|---|
| Born |
11 November 1957 Geelong, Victoria |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | La Trobe University |
| Occupation | Political Adviser |
| Spouse(s) | Peta Credlin (m. 2002) |
| Website |
www |
| Notes | |
Brian Loughnane is a business and political strategic adviser. He was the Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia from February 2003 until January 2016 and Campaign Director for the centre-right Coalition parties in the 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013 Federal elections in Australia.
Early life and education
Brian Loughnane was born in Geelong, Victoria in November 1957 and was educated in Colac before graduating with an honours degree in political science from La Trobe University in 1981.[1]
Career
Early career
Loughnane commenced his business career with Shell Australia in 1982, and was responsible for industrial relations at the Geelong oil refinery during the introduction of enterprise bargaining.[1]
Political career
In 1992, he was appointed as Senior Advisor to Vin Heffernan, the Minister for Small Business in the Kennett government. In 1994 he became Chief of Staff to Alexander Downer, the federal Leader of the Opposition. When John Howard succeeded Downer as Opposition Leader in early 1995, Loughnane was appointed as Howard's Chief of Staff, serving until May 1995, before appointment to a senior executive role with Gas and Fuel Corporation for twelve months. He returned to politics in 1996 and served as Chief of Staff to John Moore in his capacities as Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism and as Minister for Defence.[1]
From October 2000 to February 2003 Loughnane was State Director of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party. He was Campaign Director for the 2001 by-election for the federal Division of Aston (Liberal retain) and the 2002 Victorian state election.
In late 2002 Loughnane was appointed Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia and served as Campaign Director for the Coalition parties at the federal elections held in 2004 (Coalition returned with increased majority), 2007 (Labor win), 2010 (Labor minority) and 2013 (Coalition win).
Loughnane is credited with inspiring the L-plate tag that hit the former Labor leader Mark Latham during 2004.[2][3] and is considered a classic "backroom operator",[2]
Loughnane has extensive international political experience with major centre-right parties around the world. He attended the first Convention of the Conservative Party of Canada and has had a close working relationship with senior Canadian political figures for many years.[4] In 2016, he was asked to conduct a review of the 2015 national election campaign for the Conservative Party of Canada. [5] Loughnane is an Assistant Chairman of the International Democrat Union [6] and in 2015 was appointed to the International Republican Institute International Advisory Board.[7]
Personal
Loughnane is married to Peta Credlin, the former Chief of Staff to Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister of Australia.[2]
He is a well known supporter of the Geelong Football Club and his interests include films, horse racing, golf and American politics..
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Brian Loughnane". Party people: Executive Director. Liberal Party of Australia. 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Snow, Deborah (20 July 2010). "Brian Loughnane: Liberal Federal Director". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ↑ Knott, Matthew (23 December 2011). "Brian Loughnane and Peta Credlin". Crikey: The Power Index: Power Couples. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ↑ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/how-harper-fashioned-his-lead/article700966/
- ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-election-post-mortem-vancouver-1.3604938
- ↑ http://idu.org/officers/the-right-honourable-john-key-mp/
- ↑ http://www.iri.org/who-we-are/international-advisory-council
External links
- Legge, Kate; Nestel, Christine (24 July 2013). "The queen of no" (video). The Australian Magazine.