Biography

Malcolm and Lucy have lived in Wentworth all their lives, they raised their family here and know the strength and the diversity of the local community. Malcolm grew up in Vaucluse and Double Bay in the 1950s and 1960s and for much of his childhood, his father, Bruce, was a single parent.

Malcolm was educated at Vaucluse Public School and Sydney Grammar School. Malcolm’s high school education at Sydney Grammar was assisted by a scholarship. Seventeen years ago Malcolm arranged for an additional means tested scholarship to be established at Sydney Grammar in memory of his late father. Malcolm graduated from Sydney University with a BA LLB. He won a Rhodes Scholarship and completed a further law degree at Oxford.

During and after his studies at Sydney University, Malcolm worked as a journalist with The Bulletin, 2SM, TCN 9 and the London Sunday Times.

After a successful career in journalism Malcolm began practicing law in 1980. He quickly established a reputation as an effective advocate, most notably when he successfully defended former MI5 agent Peter Wright against the British Government, in the “Spycatcher” trial.

Malcolm left law for business in 1987 where he has since been responsible for the establishment and success of many Australian businesses. In particular he has been a determined supporter of Australian technology. He co-founded OzEmail in 1994. His software companies have won many awards for exporting Australian technology.

In 1997 Malcolm was elected to attend the Australian Constitutional Convention. He led the republican case in that Convention and in the subsequent referendum.

Malcolm has initiated numerous policy and research projects in areas such as education, indigenous affairs, home ownership affordability, balancing work and family responsibilities and national population and fertility policy. He was Chairman of the Menzies Research Centre between 2002 and 2004.

Malcolm married Lucy Hughes in 1980. Their two children, Alex and Daisy attended local schools and have now completed University.

Lucy and Malcolm have been partners not only in marriage but also in their many businesses. Lucy was the first female Lord Mayor of Sydney, a position she held until early 2004.

At the Federal election on 9 October 2004, Malcolm was elected as the Member for Wentworth and upon entering Parliament, he joined the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade as well as the House of Representatives Standing Committees on Economics, Health and Ageing and Legal and Constitutional Affairs. On 27 January 2006, Malcolm was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and just over twelve months later, he was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Environment and Water Resources; a position he held until the Federal Election on 24 November 2007.

On 6 December 2007, Malcolm was appointed as Shadow Treasurer and following a leadership ballot in September 2008, he was elected by his colleagues to lead the Liberal Party as Leader of the Opposition, a position held until 1 December 2009. Malcolm has been the Minister for Communications since September 2013.