Former Nationals leader, deputy prime minister and minister for trade Tim Fischer was in the tricky position of being in government, but as the junior Coalition partner – making it hard for him to forcefully represent the interests of his rural constituents. He left politics in 2001 to spend more time with his family, particularly his autistic son.
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Tim Fischer
Tim Fischer is a former NSW and Federal politician who, since retiring from politics, has served as Chair Tourism Australia and Australian Ambassador to the Holy See. He is the author of several books.
In 1971, Tim was first elected to the NSW Parliament. During his time in State Parliament, Mr Fischer became National Party Whip and served on a number of Parliamentary Committees, including the State ‘Staysafe’ Committee. He resigned from State Politics in 1984 to seek pre-selection for the Federal Parliamentary seat of Farrer, at the time based on Albury, Corowa and Deniliquin, from the ACT to the SA border.
He was subsequently elected Federal Member for Farrer and served in this role from 1984 to 2001. During this time, he was Shadow Minister for Energy & Resources, Shadow Minister for Trade, Leader of the National, and later Minister for Trade and Deputy Prime Minister in the Howard Government (1996 - 1999). He led the Official delegation to observe the East Timor Referendum in 1999.
Tim is currently Chairman of FAMU Holdings, a private company, and has a range of business interests, mainly with an export orientation. His hobbies include chess and trekking in KNP and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.
He is also the author or co-author of books including Seven Days in East Timor, Outback Heroes & Communities that Count, and Transcontinental Train Odyssey: The Ghan, The Khyber, The Globe. His most recent works include Bold Bhutan Beckons (co-authored with Tshering Tashi) and Trains Unlimited in the 21st Century.
Sammy J
Sammy J is an Australian comedian, writer, composer and broadcaster. He's played in Edinburgh, Montreal and London, had a sitcom on Netflix, is one half of the man/puppet comedy duo 'Sammy J & Randy' and currently ...