Party People

Federal President, The Hon. John Olsen AO

Andrew Hirst

John Olsen was elected as the Liberal Party's 19th Federal President at a meeting of the Party's Federal Executive in August 2020.

John is Chairman of the American Australian Association Ltd, Chairman of the Perth USAsia Centre at The University of Western Australia, and board member of the United States Studies Centre at The University of Sydney.

He is also Deputy Chairman of the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority.

John spent almost seven years in the United States, as Consul-General in New York (2006-2009), and as Consul-General in Los Angeles (2002-2006).

John pioneered G'Day USA in 2004, a week-long programme showcasing the best of Australia. The programme expanded to New York in 2007 and became the largest single annual foreign country promotion in the United States.

Prior to his diplomatic postings, he was Premier of South Australia (1996-2001), capping a long and distinguished career in the political arena, including as Minister for Multicultural Affairs (1996-2001), Minister for Infrastructure and Industry (1993-1996), Senator for South Australia (1990-1992), and State Opposition Leader (1982-1990).

He served as President of the Liberal Party SA Division (1976-1979 and 2017-2020) and Mayor of Kadina (1974-1977).

John was Chairman of the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority 2014-2018 and Deputy during the redevelopment of the Stadium. He served as Chairman of the South Australian National Football League 2010-2020.

He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2007 for his outstanding contribution to the South Australian Parliament.


Past Federal Presidents

Nick Greiner
2017 - 2020

Richard Alston
2014 - 2017

Alan Stockdale
2008 - 2014

Chris McDiven
2005 - 2008

Shane Stone
1999 - 2005

Tony Staley
1993 - 1999

Ashley Goldsworthy
1990 - 1993

John Elliott
1987 - 1990

John Valder
1985 - 1987

Dr A.J. Forbes
1982 - 1985

John Atwill
1975 - 1982

Robert Southey
1970 - 1975

J. E. Pagan
1965 - 1970

Philip McBride
1960 - 1965

Lyle Moore
1956 - 1960

W. H. Anderson
1951 - 1956

Richard Casey
1947 - 1950

Malcolm Ritchie
1945-47, 1950-51


Honorary Federal Treasurer, Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor

Charlie is a former Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company, where he worked in the Sydney office for 20 years, with over 10 years in overseas offices including New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Jakarta.

Charlie has extensive experience across a wide range of business sectors, as well as supporting not-for-profit organisations.



Past Party Treasurers

Andrew Burnes
2015 - 2019

Philip Higginson

Philip Higginson
2011 - 2015

Michael Yabsley

Michael Yabsley
2008 - 2011

Mark Bethwaite

Mark Bethwaite
2006 - 2008

John Calvert-Jones
2003 - 2006

Malcolm Turnbull
2002 - 2003

Ronald Walker
1989 - 2002

David Clarke
1987 - 1989

John Elliot
1985 - 1987

Sir Robert
Crichton-Brown

1974 - 1985

Sir Charles McGrath
1968 - 1974

Sir William Anderson
1962 - 1968
(picture unavailable)
S. F. Utz
1956 - 1962
(picture unavailable)
B. F. Dargan
1949 - 1956
(picture unavailable)

Federal Director, Andrew Hirst

Andrew Hirst

Andrew Hirst is the Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia.

Andrew has worked for four leaders of the Liberal Party of Australia – John Howard, Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott.

As well as holding adviser roles for successive Liberal leaders, Andrew served for two years as Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Andrew also previously worked as the Liberal Party’s Director of Communications and was a Director at campaigns and strategy company C|T Group prior to his appointment as Federal Director.


Past Party Directors

Tony Nutt

Tony Nutt
2015 - 2017

Brian Loughnane
2003 - 2015

Lynton Crosby
1997 - 2002

Andrew Robb
1990 - 1997

Tony Eggleton
1975 - 1990

Dr Timothy Pascoe
1974 - 1975

Bede Hartcher
1969 - 1974

Robert Willoughby
1951 - 1969

Donald Cleland
1945 - 1951