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The Mad Monk

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Author, Boxer and Crusader, this Catholic Seminarian has transformed himself from the ecclesiastical world into the political realm en route the pugnacious ring. 

A fitness freak, he did an iron-man triathlon swimming 2.4 miles, bike-riding 112 miles and running 26 miles in 2010.

Anthony John Tony Abbott became the 28th Prime Minister of Australia in 2013.   

Early Life

Anthony John Tony Abbott was born on November 4, 1957 in London. His family moved to Sydney where he was educated. He completed his primary and secondary education at Jesuit schools.

Then he went on to attend Sydney University studying both economics and law. He was a student activist there, leading an aggressive right wing revolt against the left wing campus orthodoxies of the late 70s.   

Subsequently he attended The Queen’s College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, where he graduated from in June 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He earned two Blues for boxing while at Oxford.

Pre Political Career

After returning to Australia, he entered the St Patrick’s Seminary in Manly where he studied to become a Catholic priest. While at the Seminary, he wrote articles for “The Catholic Weekly” and “The Bulletin”.

He left the seminary to become a journalist and started writing for “The Australian”.

Political Career

Abbott was first elected as Member for Warringah in March 1994. He has been re-elected as Member for Warringah at seven subsequent elections.

He has served as a Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Minister, and Leader of the House of Representatives.

As Minister for Employment Services (1998–2001), Abbott oversaw the development of the Job Network and a major expansion of Work for the Dole.

As Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations (2001–2003) Abbott boosted construction industry productivity through the establishment of the Cole Royal Commission.

As Minister for Health and Ageing (2003–2007) Abbott introduced the Medicare safety net for people with big out-of-pocket expenses, increased hospital funding by $2.2 billion, and resolved the medical indemnity crisis.

Abbott led the Coalition at the 2010 election, which resulted in a hung parliament. Following negotiations, Labor formed a Government where Abbott was elected as Liberal Leader unopposed. He went on to lead the Coalition to victory at the 2013 election.

Family

Tony Abbott married Margie Abbott in 1988. They are the proud parents of three daughters – Louise, Frances and Bridget. 

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