Nigel Scullion

Senator The Honourable
Nigel Scullion
Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Assumed office
18 September 2013
Prime Minister Tony Abbott
Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by Jenny Macklin
Minister for Community Services
In office
9 October 2003 – 3 December 2007
Prime Minister John Howard
Preceded by John Cobb
Succeeded by Jenny Macklin
Senator for the Northern Territory
Assumed office
10 November 2001
Preceded by Grant Tambling
Personal details
Born Nigel Gregory Scullion
(1956-05-04) 4 May 1956
London, England
Political party Country Liberal Party
Other political
affiliations		 The Nationals (federal caucus)
Coalition
Spouse(s) Jenny Scullion (divorced)
Carol Sexton
Children 3
Occupation Fisherman

Nigel Gregory Scullion (born 4 May 1956 in London, England) is an Australian politician. He has been a Country Liberal Party member of the Australian Senate for the Northern Territory since November 2001. He sits with the National Party in the Senate, and has been the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate since 2013; having previously served in that role between 2007 and 2008; and as Deputy Leader of the National Party between 2007 and 2013. Scullion has been the Minister for Indigenous Affairs since 18 September 2013, first in the Abbott Government and then the Turnbull Government.[1]

Early years and background

He was born in London, England then lived in Deakin, Canberra, during high school. He is married with 3 children.[2] Before entering the Senate he was a professional fisherman and graduated from the Australian Rural Leadership Program.[3]

Career

Scullion received media attention early in his career when questions arose over how his business relationships with government bodies might have affected his eligibility to sit in the Parliament.[4][5] Investigations continued for some time, but in the end did not affect his membership of Parliament.[6][7] On 30 January 2007, he was appointed Minister for Community Services in the Australian Government. He held office for only 10 months before the Howard Government was defeated in an election.

In February 2007, Scullion was elected to the position of deputy Senate leader of the federal National Party and was subsequently promoted to the positions of deputy parliamentary leader of the National Party and leader of the party in the Senate on 3 December 2007, following the coalition's defeat.[8] On 6 December 2007 he was named as Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the shadow ministry chosen by new Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson.[9] In 2008, he was defeated by Barnaby Joyce for the Senate leadership,[10] but retained the deputy leadership of the National Party.[11]

Scullion was re-elected at the 2010 election and appointed Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs by Opposition leader, Tony Abbott.[12] In February 2012, Scullion appeared in the second episode of Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb, when they went into the mud flats for crustaceans, which she has recalled as the most memorable show.[13] Following Joyce's move to the House of Representatives in 2013, Scullion reclaimed his position of Senate leader but lost the deputy parliamentary leadership to Joyce.

On February 11, 2016, Joyce was elected leader of the Nationals with Fiona Nash as his deputy. As Nash is a Senator like Scullion, it looks like Scullion would have to relinquish the Senate leadership to deputy parliamentary leader Senator Nash. In fact Senator Nash had been Senator Scullion's Senate deputy prior to her election as deputy leader of the parliamentary party.

The prospect of Senator Scullion retaining the Senate leadership under new parliamentary leader Joyce is unlikely due to their past rivalry in leadership positions and new deputy parliamentary leader Senator Nash is a long standing ally of Joyce.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Tony Abbott's cabinet and outer ministry". smh.com.au. AAP. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Biography for SCULLION, the Hon. Nigel Gregory". Parliament of Australia – Parlinfo Search. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  4. ↑ Loizou, John; Hinde, Suellen (7 May 2002). "Senator faces spotlight". Northern Territory News.
  5. ↑ Faulkner, John; et al. (14 May 2002), "Senate Debates", Hansard, Parliament of Australia, pp. 1393–1398
  6. ↑ "Senator probe". Northern Territory News. 25 September 2003.
  7. ↑ Maharaj, Rajiv (17 February 2004). "Funds inquiry clears Territory senator". Northern Territory News.
  8. ↑ "Truss wins Nationals leadership". ABC News. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
  9. ↑ Parliament of Australia, Shadow Ministry list, 6 December 2007, retrieved January 2008.
  10. ↑ "Nationals won't toe Libs' line: Joyce". Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  11. ↑ Barnaby Joyce promoted to Nats Senate leader: Fairfax 17/9/2008
  12. ↑ http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/Shadow/index.htm
  13. ↑ Leys, Nick (2 September 2013). "Ten questions for Annabel Crabb". The Australian. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  14. ↑ Grattan, Michelle. "Grattan on Friday: The Nationals install a 'Barnaby whisperer' as they pass on the family farm". Retrieved 15 September 2016.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Grant Tambling		 Senator for the Northern Territory
2001–present
Served alongside: Trish Crossin, Nova Peris		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
John Cobb		 Minister for Community Services
2003–2007 		Succeeded by
Jenny Macklin
Preceded by
Jenny Macklin
as Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs		 Minister for Indigenous Affairs
2013–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Sandy Macdonald		 Deputy Leader of the National Party of Australia in the Senate
2007 		Succeeded by
Ron Boswell
Preceded by
Ron Boswell		 Leader of the National Party of Australia in the Senate
2007–2008 		Succeeded by
Barnaby Joyce
Preceded by
Warren Truss		 Deputy Leader of the National Party of Australia
2007–2013
Preceded by
Barnaby Joyce		 Leader of the National Party of Australia in the Senate
2013–present 		Incumbent
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