Party People

Federal President, The Hon. John Olsen AO

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 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 2011 - 2015	Michael Yabsley 2008 - 2011	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 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 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