The Honorable John C. Moore Senior Defence Minister Australia

John Colinton Moore was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, on 16 November 1936. His early years were spent on a cattle property, west of Bowen in North Queensland. Initially, Moore’s primary schooling was via correspondence, delivered weekly by a postman on horseback. He then attended The Armidale School in Armidale New South Wales, and the Southport School at Southport in Queensland. Moore went on to attend the University of Queensland from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He has also completed additional studies in accountancy.

Prior to entering Federal politics, Moore was a stockbroker and successful businessman. He started in 1960 with Brisbane firm A.R. Walker & Company, and just two years later became a partner of the firm and member of the Brisbane Stock Exchange (until 1974). In 1964 he formed John Moore & Company, his firm becoming the largest sole-trader business in Queensland as it expanded into major regional centres in Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Moore has held numerous directorships, including positions on the boards of Wm. Brandt & Sons (Australia), Phillips, First City, Brandt Limited (P.F.C.B. Limited), Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fennell & Smith (Australia) Limited, Citinational Limited, Agricultural Investments Australia Limited, and Great Keppel Island Limited.

Moore is an enthusiastic sportsman. He has been President of the University of Queensland Tennis Club, member of the Council of the Queensland Lawn Tennis Association, President of the University of Queensland Cricket Club, and a member of the Queensland Cricket Association Executive. Moore was also Hon.Treasurer of the committee that established Brisbane’s famous Gabba Greyhound Racing Club.

Since the 1960s Moore has been an active supporter of community organisations. He has served in various official capacities for the Freedom from Hunger Campaign, the Anti-Cancer Council of Queensland, the Queensland Advisory Council of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Council of the Australian National University, the Board of Trustees of the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation, and at a local level, the Toowong Harriers Amateur Athletic Club and Western District Cricket Club.

Moore has had a long and distinguished political career. He joined the Liberal Party of Australia in 1964 and in 1966 became a member of the Queensland State Executive of the Party, a position he held until 1991 and again from 1994 to present day. He was Vice-President and Treasurer of the state party for six years from 1967, and was its President from 1973-76 and 1984-1990. As President, Moore was also a member of the Federal Executive of the Liberal Party. He served on the Federal Council of the Party for a period covering almost three decades.

In 1975 Moore was elected to the House of Representatives for the Brisbane metropolitan seat of Ryan. From 1980-82 he was Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs in the fourth, Fraser Government.

During the Liberal-National Coalition’s period in Opposition, Moore served in the Shadow Cabinet and was Shadow Minister for a number of key portfolios. These included Finance, Communications, Northern Development and Local Government, Transport and Aviation, Business, Privatisation and Consumer Affairs, Public Administration, and, Industry and Commerce.

He has served on several important committees, including the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, the joint House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, the Joint Statutory Committee on Corporations and Securities, the Joint Standing Committee on the Australian Capital Territory, and the Opposition Economics and Business Taskforce.

In March 1996, Moore was appointed Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism. During the first term of the Howard Coalition Government, Moore oversaw a wide-ranging review of the Industry portfolio. This culminated in the applauded Investing for Growth policy package, which has been acknowledged for its commitment to make Australian industry more robust, innovative and internationally competitive. Moore is one of the most experienced and senior members in Cabinet, and is the most senior federal Liberal politician in Queensland.

Moore is married and has two sons and a daughter.

For More Information:
http://www.defence.gov.au/minister